Here you can find tips from Kotkan lyseo on how to celebrate the international day of education on the 24th of January.

International Education Day at Kotkan lyseo

On January 24, 2025, Kotka lyseo will once again celebrate International Day of Education. We will start with a short morning assembly where we will discuss the significance of this day.

“According to the UN, 244 million children and young people are not in school, and 771 million adults are illiterate. Their right to education is being violated, which is absolutely wrong. Education is the best way to eliminate gender inequality, accelerate economic growth, and help people escape poverty.” “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

• https://www.ykliitto.fi/tapahtumat/yk-paivat/kansainvalinen-koulutuksen-paiva
• https://www.un.org/en/observances/education-day
• https://ihmisoikeudet.net/ihmisoikeudet/taloudelliset-sosiaaliset-ja-sivistyksellisetoikeudet/oikeus-opetukseen/
• https://www.globaalikoulu.net/wpcontent/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/5_Oikeus_koulutukseen.pdf*

During break time, the student union and UNESCO club will ask students to brainstorm the school’s shared principles for a second “safe space.” (UN theme day material package) As part of this activity, we will play a Kahoot! game. You can find the game here.

In the spring of 2024, schools participating in the Uusimaa UNESCO project highlighted the importance of education not only on the January UN theme day but also during a separate theme week in May. This was implemented in various ways at the project’s schools, for example: Students could tear off a challenge slip for their teacher at the beginning of the lesson (template attached). During breaks, large posters were filled with students’ answers on post-it notes to the questions “What is a good school and education?” and “What insight or situation has stuck with you from our school’s teaching?” A draw was also held among the respondents.

This time too, we will reflect on both good and bad schools and education. For example, if there is space, we can collect thoughts on a large notice board about good and bad schools. What would be the worst school in the world? And the best? More ideas can also be found here: https://teemapaivat.maailma2030.fi/goal/hyva-koulutus#goals-matrix