For 2026, the focus is “The power of youth in co-creating education” – recognising that young people are not just learners, but active agents of change who should be involved in shaping the systems designed for them.
Youth make up more than half of the world’s population, and their ideas, perspectives and energy are vital to reimagining education in a world undergoing rapid social and technological transformation.
This year’s theme emphasises that:
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Young people deserve a voice and meaningful role in decision-making about their learning environments and the future of education.
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Education systems work best when students and youth help co-design curricula, policies and learning experiences that reflect their needs and aspirations.
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Youth involvement strengthens efforts to tackle global challenges, from inequality and poverty to climate change, by ensuring education stays relevant, inclusive and transformative.
Why This Matters:
Celebrating the International Day of Education isn’t just symbolic, it’s a call to action. Each year, the day highlights ongoing educational challenges and opportunities, reminding us that:
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Education is key to ending cycles of poverty, promoting gender equality and expanding access to lifelong learning.
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Inclusive and equitable schooling helps build societies where everyone has the skills, confidence and opportunity to participate fully.
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Supporting youth as collaborators, not just beneficiaries, helps create education systems that are fit for the future.
This isn’t just about young people learning, it’s about young people shaping how learning happens.
The International Day of Education is a great opportunity to pause, reflect and bring meaningful discussion into the classroom. This year’s theme encourages teachers to actively involve students in shaping their own learning experiences.
Here are a few simple ways to get involved:
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Start a classroom conversation
Ask students what makes a lesson engaging for them, what helps them learn best, and how they would design their ideal class. These discussions help students feel heard and valued, while giving teachers valuable insight into their learners’ needs. -
Give students a voice in learning
Invite students to help choose topics, activities or formats for upcoming lessons. Even small choices, such as selecting vocabulary themes or deciding how to practise a skill, empower learners and reflect the idea of co-creating education. -
Celebrate youth perspectives
Encourage students to share their ideas, cultures and experiences through group work, presentations or language activities. Highlight how their voices and viewpoints contribute to a richer, more inclusive learning environment. -
Use interactive and inclusive tools
Explore digital resources like Languagenut to support personalised learning, collaboration and confidence-building. Interactive platforms can help students take ownership of their progress while making learning engaging and accessible for all.
By creating space for student input and collaboration, teachers play a vital role in empowering young people as active participants in education, not just learners, but partners in shaping the future of learning.