Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education Through Human Rights to Achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4

Abstract

This article explores the promotion of inclusive and equitable quality education through human rights, to achieve the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs). The agenda of these goals is broad, but SDG4 has as its fundamental aim the achievement of equitable, quality education for all, without discrimination. Equitable quality education requires a more tangible emphasis on efforts to combat discrimination, especially where learners with disabilities are concerned. To date, a knowledge gap exists between inclusive and equitable quality education, and implementation in practice. To that end, the researchers explored the promotion of inclusive and equitable quality education through human rights, to achieve the identified sustainable development goal. The researchers employed a qualitative research design to gain insight into the life worlds and lived experiences of nine high schools teachers from three schools purposively selected in Mankweng Circuit, in the Capricorn district of Limpopo province. The findings revealed that the promotion of inclusive, equitable quality education is hampered by the insufficient training of teachers, and adequate school facilities – both of which discourage educators from making changes in terms of their knowledge, skills, values and attitudes when it comes to enforcing human rights and creating a just society for all. It is recommended that training and facilities be provided, for the realisation of SDG4. The researcher conclude that several fundamental and universal human rights principles are enshrined in a range of existing policy documents, but should be implemented to promote inclusive and equitable education through human rights.