The 2024/5 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, titled “Leadership in Education: Lead for Learning,” provides a comprehensive analysis of progress towards achieving SDG 4 and its related sub-goals in education.
A key focus of the report is the central role of leadership in improving learning outcomes, highlighting that leadership at all levels of education, from schools to government, has a significant impact on student success. The report identifies four critical leadership dimensions: setting clear expectations, prioritising learning outcomes, fostering collaboration among educators and communities, and investing in the professional development of teachers and staff.
Despite the clear benefits of strong leadership, challenges persist, such as the lack of leadership training for school principals, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and the administrative burdens that prevent them from focusing on instructional leadership.
Additionally, the report highlights the short tenures of education ministers, which often result in a lack of continuity in educational reforms. To address these issues, the GEM report calls for increased investment in leadership development, the promotion of collaborative and inclusive leadership models, and greater political commitment to educational reforms.
By strengthening leadership, the report argues, education systems can become more resilient and equitable, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all and contributing to the broader goal of achieving SDG 4.
