International Education Day
The UN marks #inthisday 24 January, the International Education Day.
Before April 25, 1974, illiteracy reached about 26% of the Portuguese population. Through basic schooling, the regime reproduced patterns of submission and oppression by women and children, and access to the highest levels of education was a privilege for the most favored families.
In the democratic regime, education became a universal right and the Public School started to play, and plays, a fundamental role in the fight against inequalities and in the development of the country.
Celebrated since 2019, International Education Day aims to highlight the role of education for peace and development. UNESCO says that “without inclusive and equitable quality education and opportunities for all, throughout life, countries will not be able to achieve gender equality and stop the cycle of poverty that leaves millions of children, young people and adults behind”.
Image: Detail of the long-term exhibition at the Aljube Museum Resistance and Freedom; source: Pordata.