Jordan Daily – On the occasion of the International Day of Education, UNESCO, UNICEF and partners in Jordan today join the global community in marking the day under the theme “The power of youth in co-creating education.”
The day celebrates young people as essential partners in shaping the future of learning and calls on institutions, leaders and communities to listen to them, trust them and work alongside them, the two UN agencies said in a statement sent to Jordan Daily.
In Jordan, this message carries particular significance. Young people are not on the margins of society; they are central to the Kingdom’s present and future. Children under the age of 15 account for more than 34 per cent of the population, while youth aged 15–24 represent nearly one fifth. Their ideas, energy and aspirations are already shaping Jordan’s social and economic trajectory and must be placed at the heart of education reform.
Youth leadership is not only inspiring- it is essential. With youth unemployment standing at 22 per cent, and disproportionately affecting young women at 31 per cent compared to 20 per cent among young men, the need for education systems that reflect young people’s lived realities has never been clearer. These figures highlight a persistent disconnect between learning and opportunity, underscoring the urgency of education pathways that are relevant, inclusive and aligned with labour market needs. Such challenges cannot be addressed for young people without being addressed with them.
Jordan’s ongoing education reforms- including the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) 2026–2030, commitments made under the Transforming Education Summit, and the Economic Modernization Vision — recognise young people as rights-holders and active partners in reform, rather than passive beneficiaries. International Day of Education 2026 provides an opportunity to reaffirm this commitment and accelerate its implementation.
Youth as partners in change
Young people are not only learners; they are thinkers, innovators and leaders. The ESP 2026–2030 places youth voices and lived experiences at the centre of education reform, recognising their role as co-architects of a more responsive and future-oriented system.
Education that connects to opportunity
When young people help shape curricula and learning pathways, education becomes more relevant, motivating and better aligned with the skills needed for life and work—supporting both individual success and national development in line with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision.
Building skills for the future
From digital transformation to climate action, young people are already leading change. Supporting their leadership in digital, green and innovation-related skills strengthens a resilient education system equipped for 21st-century challenges.
Inclusion at the heart of participation
Meaningful co-creation requires ensuring that all voices are heard—girls and boys, young women and men, refugees, learners with disabilities and those living in vulnerable situations. Inclusion is not an add-on; it is fundamental to effective and equitable youth participation.
Turning commitment into action
Across Jordan, concrete steps are being taken to move from consultation towards genuine partnership with young people. The ESP 2026–2030 is grounded in the country’s first comprehensive Education Sector Analysis conducted using the UNESCO/IIEP methodology, providing an evidence-based platform for youth to engage critically with data and contribute solutions. Formal mechanisms are being developed to support youth participation in policymaking and monitoring, helping ensure that engagement is sustained and meaningful.
In higher education, initiatives such as Higher Education for Innovation and Growth are increasingly positioning universities as innovation hubs, where students collaborate with the private sector to address real social and economic challenges. Across all levels, education is being reimagined as a space for critical thinking, creativity and active citizenship- equipping young people not only to succeed, but to actively shape Jordan’s future.
On this International Day of Education, UNESCO, UNICEF and partners reaffirm a shared commitment: to listen to young people, invest in their leadership, and work alongside them to build an inclusive, relevant and future-ready education system- one that truly belongs to them and contributes to sustainable development for all in Jordan.
