International Day of Education: Date, Themes, History, and How to Participate

Education shapes how people learn, work, participate in their communities, and build their futures. Yet millions of children and young people around the world still lack access to education. UNESCO's 2026 Global Education Monitoring Report estimates that 273 million children and young people are out of school worldwide, with the number rising for the seventh consecutive year.

The International Day of Education, observed every January 24, brings attention to these challenges and the role education plays in building more inclusive and sustainable societies. For companies, it also offers a natural opportunity to bring employees together around education-focused volunteering, support nonprofit partners, and create longer-term commitments to learning and youth development.

What Is the International Day of Education?

The International Day of Education is a United Nations observance held every January 24 to recognise the role of education in peace and development. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the day in 2018, and the first International Day of Education was observed in 2019.

UNESCO leads the global observance, bringing together governments, educators, students, young people, civil society organisations, and other partners around the year's education priorities.

Education is recognised by UNESCO as a human right, a public good, and a public responsibility. The annual observance provides an opportunity to look at progress in education, understand where gaps remain, and consider how different sectors can contribute.

When Is International Education Day?

The International Day of Education takes place on January 24 every year. The day has been observed annually since 2019 following the United Nations General Assembly's 2018 resolution.

International Day of Education Themes: A Year-by-Year Guide

UNESCO selects a theme for the International Day of Education each year. The themes reflect major issues shaping education and provide a focus for global events and conversations.

2019: Education: A Human Right

The first International Education Day focused on the role of education in transforming lives and advancing inclusion, peace, and sustainable development.

2020: Learning for People, Planet, Prosperity and Peace

The 2020 theme connected education with the broader Sustainable Development Goals and highlighted its role in creating more sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous societies.

2021: Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation

The 2021 observance focused on rebuilding education following the enormous disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At its peak, the pandemic affected more than 1.6 billion learners worldwide.

2022: Changing Course, Transforming Education

The 2022 theme called for a fundamental rethink of education systems and helped build momentum toward the United Nations Transforming Education Summit held later that year.

2023: To invest in people, prioritize education

The 2023 theme placed education financing at the centre of the conversation. UNESCO called on countries to allocate 4–6% of GDP and 15–20% of public expenditure to education.

2024: Learning for Lasting Peace

The 2024 theme highlighted the role of education and teachers in promoting peace and addressing issues such as hate speech.

2025: AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation

The 2025 observance focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in education and the need to consider how AI can be used while keeping human agency and the role of educators at the centre.

2026: The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education

The 2026 International Education Day focused on "The power of youth in co-creating education." UNESCO used the day to highlight young people as active partners in shaping the future of education rather than simply recipients of education systems.

UNESCO's 2026 concept note also highlighted that people under 30 make up more than half of the world's population, reinforcing the importance of giving young people a meaningful role in decisions about education.

2027 Theme

The 2027 theme has not yet been officially announced. UNESCO's International Day of Education page is the best place to check for the official announcement.

The Global Education Crisis in Numbers

The International Education Day also provides an opportunity to understand where education systems are falling short.

According to UNESCO's 2026 Global Education Monitoring Report:

• 273 million children and young people are currently out of school worldwide.
• The global out-of-school population has increased for the seventh consecutive year.
• Three out of four children and young people who are out of school live in Central and Southern Asia or sub-Saharan Africa.

Access is only one part of the challenge. Learning outcomes, education financing, inequality, conflict, and demographic pressures continue to affect whether children and young people can access and benefit from quality education.

The same UNESCO data also shows that the world remains off track to achieve SDG 4, the Sustainable Development Goal focused on inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

World Education Day vs. International Day of Education: What Is the Difference?

"World Education Day" is commonly used as an informal name for the International Day of Education.

The official United Nations designation is International Day of Education, observed on January 24 and led by UNESCO. There is no separate UN observance called World Education Day with a different date or organising body.

Education Day USA: A Different Observance

Education and Sharing Day, sometimes referred to as Education Day USA, is a separate American observance.

It was established by the United States Congress in 1978 in honour of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson and is observed on the Hebrew date 11 Nissan, which falls on a different date each year.

It should therefore not be confused with the United Nations' International Day of Education on January 24.

How Can Companies and Organizations Participate?

The International Day of Education can give companies a clear starting point for supporting education through employee volunteering, skills-based contributions, learning, and nonprofit partnerships.

1. Launch or Expand an Education Mentoring Program

Employee mentoring can give young people access to professional perspectives, encouragement, and guidance that can support their education and career journeys.

Companies can partner with schools or education-focused nonprofits to recruit employee mentors, offer career conversations, provide academic support, or create longer-term mentoring relationships.

The key is to work with an organisation that already understands the needs of the young people it serves and can structure the volunteer experience accordingly.

Explore education volunteering opportunities for teams

2. Run a Skills-Based Volunteering Campaign for Education

Companies can use the professional skills of their employees to support education-focused nonprofits.

Marketing teams can help with communications and storytelling. Finance professionals can contribute to budgeting or financial planning. Technology teams can help nonprofits improve their digital tools and processes.

This approach can be especially useful for nonprofits that have strong programs but limited access to specialised professional expertise.

Also Read: Empowering Communities Through Skills-Based Volunteering

3. Host an Internal Learning Event

Use January 24 as an opportunity to help employees understand the current state of education. But remember, true impact is only possible when we continue the impact beyond one-off events and build a volunteering strategy that can be recreated and scaled throughout the year.

A short lunch-and-learn could explore the latest findings from UNESCO's Global Education Monitoring Report, the progress being made toward SDG 4, or the role companies can play in supporting education.

You can also use the session to introduce an upcoming volunteering program and give employees a clear way to participate.

4. Support AI Literacy in Education

AI is becoming an increasingly important part of the education conversation.

Companies with AI, technology, or data expertise can support AI literacy programs for students and teachers, help communities understand responsible AI use, or volunteer their expertise with education-focused nonprofits.

This endeavor need not be limited to students. A recent survey of nonprofit organizations and their comfort with using AI in daily activities was an eye opener to the disparity in AI-literacy and implementation.

Goodera's State of AI Literacy in Social Impact 2025 research, based on a survey of 1,000+ nonprofits, found that 76% of respondents said their communities want AI literacy programs, while only 25% of nonprofits reported actively using AI tools.

This creates opportunities for employees with relevant expertise to contribute through structured volunteering and learning programs. Skills-based volunteering strategies could be a great way to implement such impact.

5. Partner With an Education-Focused Nonprofit

Companies can use International Day of Education to begin conversations with an education-focused nonprofit or deepen an existing relationship. The organizations below have a presence in the United States and work across areas such as literacy, learning outcomes, teacher development, girls’ education, and access to education.

Potential partners include:

1. Room to Read

Founded in 2000, Room to Read works to improve literacy and gender equality in education, with programs spanning multiple countries and a growing U.S. focus. Its U.S. work addresses education inequities among children in underserved communities, including through access to diverse children’s books, while its global programs focus on foundational literacy and girls’ education.

In 2025, Room to Read reports that 16.5 million children benefited from its literacy programs, bringing cumulative literacy reach to 55 million children. Its gender equality programs reached 615,724 adolescents in 2025, with 4.4 million adolescents benefiting cumulatively. The organization also reports that more than 90% of girls enrolled in its Girls’ Education Program advance to the next grade, while more than 70% secure employment or enroll in tertiary education.

Relevant SDGs: SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

2. Teach For America

Teach For America (TFA) recruits and develops teachers and leaders who work in communities across the United States, with a focus on educational equity and expanding opportunities for students facing systemic barriers. Founded in 1990, TFA has built a network of corps members and alumni working in schools, communities, and education-related leadership roles across the country.

For companies looking to engage employees around education in the U.S., TFA can be relevant for initiatives involving mentoring, skills-based support, teacher engagement, career exposure, or employee fundraising. Its work connects directly with education access and outcomes for students in communities across the United States.

Relevant SDGs: SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

3. Pratham

Pratham was founded in Mumbai in 1995 to improve access to education for children in underserved communities. Its U.S. arm, Pratham USA, was established in the United States to mobilize resources and supporters for Pratham's education programs in India and globally. The organization focuses on foundational learning, youth skilling, and second-chance education for girls and women.

During the 2024–25 academic year, Pratham reports reaching 710,000 children through direct engagement across more than 10,000 communities in India, while government partnerships extended its reach to more than 7.4 million additional children across 17 states. More than 17,000 girls and women enrolled in Pratham's Second Chance program during the same period.

Relevant SDGs: SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

4. Save the Children

Save the Children has worked in the United States for more than 90 years and operates globally across education, health, child protection, and emergency response. Its U.S. education work is particularly focused on children and families in rural communities where access to early learning resources can be limited.

In 2025, Save the Children and its partners reached 37.8 million children across 107 countries, including 8.8 million children who gained access to learning opportunities. In the United States, the organization expanded learning access for more than 720,000 children across 20 states. Its U.S. programs include early learning, literacy, math, books, and learning resources.

Relevant SDGs: SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

5. CAMFED

CAMFED is a global organization focused on girls' education and young women's leadership, with a U.S. fundraising and organizational presence through CAMFED USA. Founded in 1993, CAMFED works with communities, schools, governments, and a network of women educated with CAMFED support to address the barriers that keep girls from completing their education.

In 2025, 772,844 girls in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe newly benefited from CAMFED's economic, social, and academic support. By the end of 2025, the CAMFED Association included more than 355,000 young women, whose community support helped more than 1.3 million children and young people access education during the year. CAMFED's model also focuses on the longer-term role of educated young women as mentors, community leaders, and supporters of the next generation.

Relevant SDGs: SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

6. Malala Fund

Malala Fund works to advance girls' right to secondary education by supporting local activists, influencing policy, and advocating for stronger education financing. Founded by Malala Yousafzai and Ziauddin Yousafzai in 2013, the organization works internationally and has a U.S. presence, making it relevant for companies looking to engage employees around girls' education, advocacy, and global education access.

According to its 2025 annual report, Malala Fund's work to date has reached more than 26 million students, while its partners helped secure $7 billion in donor commitments for education. The organization also reports supporting 13 million students to continue learning through major disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ban on girls' education in Afghanistan. In 2025, Malala Fund also worked with more than 800 girls across 30 low- and middle-income countries to understand their priorities for the future of education.

Relevant SDGs: SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Rather than limiting the partnership to January 24, companies can identify ways to engage employees throughout the year. Depending on the nonprofit and its current programs, that could include employee volunteering, professional skills, mentoring, fundraising, advocacy, educational resources, or longer-term corporate partnerships.

6. Create Learning Resources for Children and Young People

Volunteers can help create educational resources that nonprofits, schools, or community organisations can use with children and young people.

Projects could include:

• Creating reading resources
• Preparing STEM learning materials
• Developing financial literacy activities
• Recording educational content
• Creating career-readiness resources
• Preparing classroom materials
• Developing digital learning resources

These activities can also provide remote options for employees who cannot participate in an in-person volunteering event.

7. Give Young People a Voice in Your Education Programs

The 2026 International Day of Education theme places young people at the centre of the conversation around the future of learning.

Companies can reflect that idea in their own volunteering programs by creating opportunities for young people to share what they need, what they want to learn, and how they would like volunteers to support them.

For example, companies could invite students to participate in listening sessions, co-design educational activities with youth-serving nonprofits, or gather feedback after a volunteering program.

Key Takeaways: Turning International Day of Education Into Action

International Day of Education can be a useful moment to start a broader education-focused volunteering program. Here are the key points to take back to your CSR, HR, or employee engagement team.

Start With Figuring Out What the Community Needs

Before choosing an activity, understand what the nonprofit or community partner actually needs. The most useful volunteering program is one designed around an existing community priority.

Checklist:

• Identify the education issue you want to support
• Speak with a nonprofit or community partner
• Understand what kind of volunteer support is useful
• Choose an activity that matches that need

Give Employees a Clear Way to Contribute

Make participation simple and specific. Employees should understand what they will do, who they will support, how much time they need, and what the activity will contribute.

Checklist:

• Define the volunteer role
• Set a clear time commitment
• Offer accessible participation options
• Share context about the community being supported
• Explain the expected impact

Include Young People in the Conversation

The 2026 theme offers an important reminder that young people can contribute to conversations about their own education.

Checklist:

• Create opportunities to listen to young people
• Ask for feedback on programs
• Include youth perspectives when designing activities
• Work through organisations experienced in youth engagement

Think Beyond January 24

International Day of Education can be the starting point for a longer-term commitment.

Consider creating a quarterly education volunteering calendar, establishing a recurring mentoring program, supporting an education nonprofit throughout the year, or connecting education volunteering with other moments such as back-to-school campaigns and career-readiness programs.

A simple year-round plan could look like:

• January: International Day of Education volunteering
• Spring: Skills-based volunteering or mentoring
• Summer: Education resource or back-to-school projects
• Autumn: Career-readiness and youth mentoring
• Year-end: Review impact and plan the following year's program

The goal is to turn one awareness day into a consistent opportunity for employees to contribute their time, skills, and expertise to education.