The International Day of Education wasn’t on my radar until recently, and realizing it exists was such an eye-opener.

How is it that we live in a world where information is quietly at our fingertips, yet we overlook the things that actually matter? We scroll through endless content, skim summaries of books we will never read, double-tap quotes we forget in moments, and still miss the basics. This made me pause and wonder what else I might be missing in the world around me.

So… what are we actually celebrating today?

The International Day of Education, celebrated every 24th of January, is a reminder that education is a right, not a privilege, not a luxury, and not something reserved for the lucky or wealthy.

Education is meant to help us think critically, understand the world, and grow as human beings. Yet millions of children and young people around the world cannot access it. Schools are out of reach, resources are limited, and opportunities are denied because of conflict, politics, discrimination, or poverty.

It is easy to focus only on our own exams, grades, and qualifications and forget that education is also about broadening our minds, our hearts, and our awareness of the world around us.

 As Malala Yousafzai says, “I truly believe the only way we can create global peace is through not only educating our minds, but our hearts and our souls.”

It is a reminder that real education is what makes us capable of noticing injustices, understanding others, and using our knowledge to create change.

Why This Year’s Theme Matters

The 2026 theme, “The power of youth in co-creating education,” puts the spotlight on us. It reminds us that education is not just something we receive, it is something we shape.

Co-creating education means questioning methods that do not prepare us for real life, advocating for spaces that are inclusive and accessible, and understanding that learning is not only for personal success but for the growth of everyone around us.

Yet in the convenience of our lives, we tend to become comfortable and disconnected from the reality that so many struggles go unnoticed. Change begins when we pay attention, speak up, and ask questions.

Awareness is a form of education.
Advocacy is a form of education.
Curiosity is a form of education.

Each of these moves us beyond ourselves and helps us shape a world where learning can reach everyone.

We cannot fix everything at once, but we can start somewhere. Let this International Day of Education remind us that there are still worlds within our world that we know nothing about. Perhaps the first step to making a difference is by simply acknowledging how much there still is to learn.

Penned By:

Rtr. Akeedha Ramzan

Editorial Committee Member 25.26