British Council joins UNESCO global education initiatives

The British Council has joined UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition and the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030.

The two initiatives focus on education recovery, equity and improving teaching systems worldwide, says a press release.

UNESCO launched the Global Education Coalition in 2020 to address disruptions to education caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The coalition now focuses on advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.

The coalition includes more than 200 partners from governments, multilateral organisations, civil society and the private sector.

The British Council said it will contribute its experience in teacher development, English language education and inclusive learning.

The organisation has also joined the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030, a global alliance that works to address teacher shortages and improve teaching quality.

Stephen Forbes, country director Bangladesh at the British Council, said, “Bangladesh has made strong progress in expanding access to education, yet quality and equity remain national priorities. The British Council’s membership in UNESCO’s global education initiatives strengthens our ability to connect local expertise with international partnerships, supporting teachers and young people with inclusive, future-ready learning opportunities.”

The British Council has more than 90 years of experience in supporting teacher education and professional development.

It works with ministries of education, schools, universities and civil society organisations on teacher development programmes, digital learning initiatives and English language education.