SDG 4 · Quality Education

273 million children and young people aren't in school.

Eco Heroes turns that fact into a story an 8-year-old can hold onto: The Children's House, book 4 of 17 in the SDG Library.

Unlock all 17 books, first month free → Read SDG 1 free

The target, in plain language

What the UN actually promised

Target 4.1

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.

It isn't only about getting through the school gate. The target says learning has to happen, and today only 58 per cent of children reach minimum reading proficiency by the end of primary school.

Target 4.7 asks that every learner gains the knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development. That's exactly what this library is for.

Why it matters

The number behind the story

273M

children and young people remain out of school And of those who are in school, only 58 per cent can read at the minimum expected level by the end of primary.

Source: The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026, UN DESA. Figures as published in July 2026.

The story

The Children's House

Written by Ricardo Alcántara (Premio Lazarillo) · Illustrated by Eliana Gutiérrez

Book 4 of 17 in the Eco Heroes SDG Library, one illustrated story for each UN Sustainable Development Goal. Unlocked with any Eco Heroes plan (families from €79 a year), and every plan starts with a free month. Published in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Catalan.

Bring it into the room

Talk about it, try it

Discuss

One question to ask after reading

“If you couldn't go to school tomorrow, what would you miss first? And what could you still learn on your own?”

Try it: 15 minutes

Teach someone something

Everyone picks a small skill they already have (a card trick, a word in another language, a way of drawing a cat) and teaches it to a partner. Afterwards, talk about what made the teaching work.

Seventeen goals, seventeen stories

Every SDG gets its own illustrated book, its own facts and its own activities. SDG 1 is always free. The rest unlock with a family, school or hotel plan.

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