Post by GEM Report UNESCO

Fifty years ago, students in Soweto marched against an education system designed to limit their opportunities and deny their rights. The events of 16 June 1976 became a turning point in South Africa’s struggle for freedom. They also demonstrated that education is never only about what happens in classrooms. It is about dignity, voice and the ability to shape one’s future. As we mark the #DayOfTheAfricanChild, the legacy of Soweto continues to resonate. South Africa has made significant progress since 1976. Democratic rights have been won, access to education has expanded and millions more children are in school. Yet inequalities in education remain, both within South Africa and across the world. The story of Soweto reminds us that education justice is not achieved through access alone. It requires education systems that empower learners to think critically, participate in society and make their voices heard. Fifty years on, the questions raised by the students of 1976 remain relevant: Who has access to quality education? Whose voices are heard? And how can education help build more just societies? ➡️ Read Hugh McLean’s, NORRAG, reflection on the legacy of the Soweto Uprising and what it means for education today: https://bit.ly/4vSZ2Ib #WorldEducationBlog #LearnForJustice