Student's comment:
Gosh I feel like I'm always being so critical! But SDG4 is particularly contentious for me. I don't agree with the idea that all children need 'quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education'. That in itself is driven by economic factors, making it easier for parents (whether two parents or singles) are better able to work full time. Again, this means that economic growth is the driver behind a target.
We have a lot of evidence that schooling systems do not adequately prepare children, teens and young adults for the world, with increasing mental health impacts, lack of critical thinking skills and issues around accessibility of jobs and income appropriate for financial independence.
Education is an investment in our future, and hence contributes significantly to sustainable development- education builds knowledge, and directly impacts a number of other areas, such as understanding and awareness of health and the environment. Educational levels achieved, impacts livelihoods, hunger and poverty. Similarly, good health aids accessing and applying oneself in education. For example, if people are hungry, this will impact their ability access 'quality' education.
