The International Day of Education, celebrated annually on January 24, serves as a platform for highlighting the transformative power of education in fostering peace, equality, and sustainable development. Proclaimed by the United Nations in 2018, this day underscores the global commitment to inclusive and equitable education as a fundamental human right and a catalyst for progress.

Education empowers individuals to break the cycle of poverty, tackle global challenges, and promote tolerance and collaboration. Despite its importance, millions worldwide, especially in marginalized communities, lack access to quality education. This day serves as a call to action, urging collective efforts to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can benefit from the opportunities education provides.

The 2025 International Day of Education highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education while emphasizing the importance of preserving human agency. As AI reshapes learning through personalized tools, automated systems, and enhanced accessibility, it also raises critical questions about ethics, inclusivity, and maintaining the human role in decision-making.

This year’s theme calls for responsible and ethical integration of AI into education, focusing on bridging access gaps, equipping educators and learners with necessary AI literacy, and safeguarding the human and social dimensions of learning. By fostering critical thinking and ethical awareness, the goal is to empower students not just as users of AI but as active contributors to its future.

Ultimately, the 2025 theme underscores that while education must adapt to rapid technological change, it must also ensure innovation serves humanity’s collective well-being.

Thirandi Perera