by May Anne Joy D. Romanes
University of the Philippines - Diliman
March 21, 2016
March 21, 2016
Millennium Development Goals (MDG ) and Education for All (EFA) 2015 had set such
sky-high and idealistic goals, despite the known problems of weak political
will among world leaders, inadequate resources of different countries, the likelihood
of inefficient strategies in implementing such goals (United Nations, 2015),
and the passiveness of some citizens who were supposed to benefit from the said
programs. As a result, not all goals have been achieved. MDG had remarkable gains yet inequalities persist
and progress has been uneven. (Ki-Moon as cited by United Nations, 2015). As
for EFA 2015, it has not been achieved despite the efforts of the governments,
civil society and the international community (Bokova as cited by Chua, 2015).
The implementation of the MDG and EFA goals can be illustrated by a delivery
man (world leaders) carrying a relatively heavy sack of goods (quality and
equitable education for all, good health, satisfaction of basic needs,
environmental sustainability, and global partnership for development), and
trying to deliver it to the recipient (people) through any vehicle (means of
achieving the goals), which is either the delivery man’s choice or whatever is
available at the moment.
There are factors to consider in the
delivery of the goods to the recipient (the realization of the MDG and EFA goals).
First, it is up to the delivery man whether
he wants to deliver the goods or not (a question of the willingness of political
leaders to implement the goals). If he decided not to deliver the goods, then
the recipient will not get them.
Second, the goods can be too heavy for the
delivery man to carry (the capacity of the country leaders to carry out the
goals and the resources of the country). If the delivery man cannot carry the
goods because of his own limitations, then no matter how much he wishes to
deliver the goods, he will not be able to do it.
Third, what will the recipient do if he/she
did not receive the goods (the participation of people in the realization of
the goals)? How active or passive can he/she be in getting what he/she is
supposed to get?
Fourth, the vehicle, or the means of
transportation, dictates how slow or how fast the goods can be delivered (means
and strategies employed to realize the goals). If the delivery man rides a
sled, then it will take a long time to deliver the goods; if he rides a
helicopter, then the goods will be delivered in a short span of time. Furthermore,
the availability of the means of transportation should also be considered,
because it is possible that the mode of transportation could be unavailable, such
as in areas occupied by the enemies of the government.
Lastly, the circumstances that happen
during the delivery of goods, such as accidents, bad weather condition, etc.,
can influence the delivery of the goods (events that can hasten or hamper the
realization of the goals).
Recently, the
Philippines adopted a new set of goals and targets to establish the global
education trajectory through 2030 Education Framework for Action (Education
2030) to operationalize the 4th goal of the recently adopted
Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization Philippines, 2015). All factors mentioned were important
to realize the MDG and EFA 2015 goals. The same is true in achieving the goals
of the Education 2030. This year, 2016, is an opportunity to reflect on and to
learn from the past mistakes, to build on our successes and to put all
countries, together, firmly on track towards a more prosperous, sustainable and
equitable world (Ki-Moon as cited by United Nations, 2015).
References:
Chua, Y. (2015, April 10). ‘Education for All’
ending; PH fails to meet targets. Vera Files. Retrieved from
http://verafiles.org/education-for-all-ending-ph-fails-to-meet-targets/
United Nations. (2015). The Millennium Development
Goals report 2015. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2015_MDG_Report/pdf/MDG%202015%20rev%20(July%201).pdf
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization Philippines. (2015, April 11). PH Affirms Commitment to the
Education 2030 Framework for Action. Retrieved from
http://www.unesco.gov.ph/content/article/PH%20Affirms%20Commitment%20to%20the%20Education%202030%20Framework%20for%20Action
Suggested citation (APA 6th ed):
Romanes, M. A. J. (2016, March 21). Millennium Development Goals, Education for All 2015, and Education 2030 [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://jesusnevereverrfails.blogspot.com/
