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Since the United Nations declared January 24 as the International Day of Education in 2018, nations globally mark this day to emphasize the pivotal role of education in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The occasion highlights education's contribution to peace, human rights, and poverty reduction. Celebrated worldwide, it reflects a shared commitment to a better future through the transformative power of education.

International agreements emphasize the critical need for accessible and fair education, especially in challenging circumstances, as it safeguards children from conflicts and fosters normalcy. The recent global celebration of the International Day of Education on January 24, themed "Education for Lasting Peace," reinforces education's vital contribution to achieving global peace and development. Key agreements, including UNESCO's 1974 declaration and Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, underline education as a fundamental driver for peace, understanding, and tolerance. The 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child further underscores the right to higher education for all.

This year's theme of International Education Day came to achieve several main goals: continuing to make education a priority on the political agenda to achieve the commitments of the Education Transformation Summit and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals; Generate momentum at both local and international levels on the importance of education in promoting and sustaining peace, as set out in target 4.7 of Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals. As well, this year’s theme seeks calling for strengthening the financing of education locally and internationally in general, and education for peace in particular, especially through innovative and multilateral mechanisms and partnerships, highlighting the role of youth and educators in making peace through education towards equitable, comprehensive and peaceful societies, and creating a platform to discuss the priorities and challenges of education for peace within the context of worsening global crises. It also aims at mobilizing influencers and civil society to drive progress towards making education the focus of local, national, and international peacebuilding efforts and to raise

awareness of effective methodologies for education for peace and strengthen commitment to their implementation.

Since assuming leadership, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has underscored the pivotal role of education, envisioning it as the cornerstone for national progress. Prioritizing a supportive environment for scientific exploration and innovation, Sultan Haitham positions education as the linchpin for empowering future generations to meet the challenges ahead.

Aligned with Oman Vision 2040, the Ministry of Education adopts a strategy that weaves values of tolerance and peace into the educational fabric. Found in foundational documents like the Education Philosophy, General Concepts, and Curriculum, these values are the bedrock of a curriculum designed to shape well-rounded citizens.

Under Sultan Haitham's leadership, Oman is integrating vocational and technical education into post-basic schooling. The initiative, launched in the 2023-2024 academic year, gradually expands to cover all eleventh and twelfth-grade students. The Ministry of Education collaborates with accredited institutions and the Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL) to introduce specialized programs in Business Administration, Information Technology, and energy and minerals.

In celebrating the International Day of Education, we emphasize the vital role of education in confronting global challenges and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Oman's forward-thinking approach to education positions it as a global leader, fostering a generation poised for leadership roles on the world stage, anchored in the principles of peace, tolerance, and innovation.