SDG 4 Quality Education

“…it is estimated that 84 million children and youth will be out of school by 2030 and approximately 300 million students will lack the basic numeracy and literacy skills needed to succeed in life” – UN.

Colombia faces significant challenges that limit access to quality education for the most vulnerable population. Although efforts have been made to increase its coverage, it remains unequal and with marked differences between regions.

According to the LEE statistical analysis report conducted by the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, in rural areas 96.9% of students attend public institutions, while in urban areas it is 79.9%. In addition, rural students face greater barriers such as distance, since 61.5% of them walk to school.

Sustainable Development Goal number four seeks to “ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. However, this goal seems difficult to achieve due to factors such as school dropout. Ministry of Education reports indicate that between November 2022 and May 2023, 473,786 students dropped out of the education system. Departments such as Putumayo, Arauca, Guainía; and cities such as Bogotá and Medellín, are the most affected.

The effects of COVID-19 also widened the educational gaps, especially affecting low-income students. According to a study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the closure of schools during the pandemic caused a loss of learning equivalent to 1.5 years of schooling in the most vulnerable regions. In addition, 45% of rural students did not have Internet access at home, which limited their participation in remote classes.

According to UNICEF, educational recovery and psycho-emotional support programs can reduce learning loss and help education continue to be a transformative tool for the future of the most affected children and youth.

Our commitment to education

At One Inversión Social we are aligned with SDG #4 by promoting initiatives that seek to reduce the gaps in education in Colombia. We seek not only to offer academic knowledge, but also tools for personal and professional development that facilitate job placement and individual growth.

With the implementation of programs that respond to the educational needs of different populations, from young people to senior citizens, we ensure continuous learning opportunities and the quality that communities in vulnerable situations require.

Válida Ya: in alliance with Without Borders Corp and the Valórate Foundation, we offer post-sentenced women the possibility of completing their basic and secondary education. A second opportunity to promote their social reintegration and economic independence.

Valora tu Libertad: together with the Valórate Foundation, we support the first post-sentenced women’s home to generate income for women on parole or who have completed their sentences.

We focus on the training of being and doing of mothers who regain their freedom to increase the possibility of formal hiring and find better opportunities for income generation.

OneForest: with the Mobile School of Barismo we benefit young people in vulnerable situations in Medellín and its metropolitan area. Through a “tuc tuc” we bring education to their homes, eliminating mobility barriers and additional costs.

From the age of 17, young people receive specialized training in barismo, which provides them with job opportunities and promotes their autonomy.

Learning Center: together with the Granitos de Paz Foundation, we offer comprehensive care to children, young people and adults from vulnerable communities in Cartagena. With the Integral Recovery Model and psychosocial accompaniment strategies, we have strengthened educational quality and created a safe environment for academic and personal development.

More than 90 children and adolescents receive academic reinforcement and around 375 participate in the Sports and Cultural Schools program.

We provide support to 482 children between institutional and family modalities, including pregnant and nursing mothers, thus contributing to comprehensive development from early childhood.

We are convinced that education is the engine for sustainable development and social transformation, promoting learning, autonomy and general wellbeing. We work to offer opportunities to those who need it most, breaking down barriers, building solid foundations for the progress of our society and creating paths towards a better future.