Towards the first generation free of child labour

An integrated and interdependent analysis of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in relation to Target 8.7

4. Quality education

Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development. Major progress has been made towards increasing access to education at all levels and increasing enrolment rates in schools particularly for women and girls.

Basic literacy skills have improved tremendously, yet bolder efforts are needed to make even greater strides for achieving universal education goals. For example, the world has achieved equality in primary education between girls and boys, but few countries have achieved that target at all levels of education.

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete the cycle of primary and secondary education, which must be free, equitable and of high quality and produce relevant and effective learning outcomes. Ensure completion by all children and adolescents of the cycle of primary and secondary education, which is equitable of quality and produces relevant and effective school results, with particular reference to its cost-free condition. Among the obstacles that children and adolescents face to stay in school and to conclude compulsory education cycles is their early insertion in the labour market.