Equity

Definition
Equity is at the core of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) which aims to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’. Equity is related to ‘ensuring that there is a concern with fairness, such that the education of all learners is seen as being of equal importance.’ (UNESCO, 2017: 7). Thus, equity relates to providing to every child an equal chance as well as the necessary support to ensure their success. To do so, it is essential to understand the particular barriers and challenges faced by individual students or by populations of students. Equity should be ensured at the system, school, and classroom-level.

References
UNESCO. 2007. Education for All by 2015: Will we make it? UNESCO. Paris: UNESCO. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000154743

UNESCO. 2017. A guide for ensuring inclusion and equity in education. Paris: UNESCO. Retrieved from: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002482/248254e.pdf

To explore further
UNESCO. 2020. Final report of the International Forum on Inclusion and Equity in Education – Every learner matters, Cali, Colombia, 11-13 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000372651?posInSet=3&queryId=e116222f-43b9-4fdb-84eb-353c4948aaa2

UNESCO-Global Education Monitoring Report. 2020. Global Education Monitoring Report, 2020: Inclusion and education: all means all. Paris: UNESCO. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000373718?posInSet=5&queryId=e9ba7d33-6a56-4dd8-9b68-83692551fe1c