Sustainability challenge and related SDGs:
Despite organised and dedicated global efforts, education remains a right that is denied to nearly 260 million children around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic made the situation even worse. It affected more than 91% of students worldwide, and nearly 1.6 billion children and adolescents stayed out of school for quite some time. The educational development is recovering only slowly from this massive interruption. In addition, the speed at which digitalisation is advancing worldwide creates a gap between the skills taught in our current education system and the demands of the new digital economy.
Education is a human right and fundamental to personal and economic development. SDG 4 "Quality education" calls for the availability of a skilled workforce and the promotion of job creation and youth employment. Improving #AccessToEducation will contribute to SDG 1 "No poverty", as education is fundamental for socio-economic development and overcoming poverty. Equal #AccessToEducation - regardless of social class, race, gender, sexuality, ethnic background or physical and mental capabilities - plays also an important role in achieving SDG 10 "Reduce inequalities". Education furthermore helps communities to properly manage their resources and combat climate change and hence contributes to achieving SDG 11 "Sustainable cities and communities".
Possible solutions and their contribution to achieving the SDGs
#AccessToEducation contributes to tackling these challenges by focussing on
business solutions that provide educational services such as the construction and management of educational facilities and infrastructure, early learning properties, financing services for education, or educational services that include instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects. This will help to provide equal access to affordable and quality education for all.
Primarily related SDG-Targets: 1.4, 1.A, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, 4.A, 4C, 10.2, 11.6
Investment Rationale and Growth Potential
Education is a fundamental investment in our future. In both developing and developed countries, the demand for education is increasing. In the age of digitalization, the education sector is expected to grow as new skills are needed for new forms of work due to the digital transformation and the rapid change in the economy. Secondary and higher education are booming. Private players can fill gaps and contribute to public education by seizing the opportunity to meet unmet demands. This offers investors the chance to invest with high societal benefits.
