SDG4: Quality Education
Why it matters
SDG 4 seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The Covid-19 pandemic has stifled progress on education targets. If no additional measures are taken, only one in six countries will meet the SDG 4 target and achieve universal access to quality education by 2030[4].
The industry’s contribution
Mobile technology contributes to SDG 4 by allowing students, teachers and employees to learn/teach from any location and on the move. Educational content, as well as educational administration and management, is increasingly being made available over mobile networks to tablets, smartphones and feature phones.
SDG 4 is the most improved SDG since 2015 in terms of industry impact. 2.3 billion mobile users (42% of mobile subscribers) access educational services on their mobile phones, representing an increase of more than 1.6 billion since 2015.
Additionally, 36% of mobile subscribers access government services on their mobile phones, equal to 2 billion users (an increase of 1.4 million users since 2015). However, there was a decline in the SDG 4 mobile impact score in 2022 as a result of the reduction in usage across a number of mobile-enabled services linked to improving access to education. This was most likely the result of the return of face-to-face activities post pandemic and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
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Maximising mobile’s impact by 2030
Maximising mobile’s impact on SDG 4 requires enhancing the digital literacy of professionals and caregivers. The GSMA has published a range of research and materials on mobile digital skills, with all the key insights and learnings summarised in a short report that highlights four practical steps[16].
Case Studies
