Amman, 24 January 2026 – On the occasion of International Day of Education, UNESCO, UNICEF, and partners in Jordan joined the global community 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.
In Jordan, this message carries particular weight. Young people are not on the margins of society; they are central to the Kingdom’s present and future. Children under 15 account for more than 34 percent 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 at 22 percent, and disproportionately affecting young women at 31 percent compared to 20 percent among young men, the need for education systems that reflect young people’s lived realities has never been clearer. These figures expose 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 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 offers an opportunity to reaffirm this commitment and accelerate its implementation.
Why it matters for Jordan
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 reform, recognising them as co-architects of a more responsive, future-oriented education system.
Education that connects to opportunity
When young people help shape curricula and learning pathways, education becomes more relevant and motivating, better aligned with real-world skills, and supportive of both individual success and national development under Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision.
Building skills for the future
From digital transformation to climate action, youth are already leading change. Supporting their leadership in digital, green, and innovation-driven skills strengthens a resilient education system equipped for 21st-century challenges.
Inclusion at the heart of participation
Meaningful co-creation requires that all voices are heard—girls and boys, young women and men, refugees, learners with disabilities, and those in vulnerable situations. Inclusion is fundamental to effective and equitable youth participation.
Turning commitment into action
Across Jordan, concrete steps are being taken to move from consultation to genuine partnership. The ESP 2026–2030 is grounded in the country’s first comprehensive Education Sector Analysis using UNESCO/IIEP methodology, providing an evidence-based platform for youth to engage critically with data and contribute solutions. Formal mechanisms are being developed to ensure sustained youth participation in policymaking and monitoring.
In higher education, initiatives such as Higher Education for Innovation and Growth are 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 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.
