Exploring the role of quality and inclusive education in meeting sustainable development goals

This research investigates the interaction among state education expenditure, the proportion of educated population, and their influence on the Composite Sustainable Development Index from 2000 to 2020, encompassing BRICS and extended BRICS + nations, using the CUP-FM methodology. Results indicate a significant correlation, where a 1% increase in education spending in BRICS + corresponds to an almost 0.15% elevation in sustainable development. This correlation is attributed to enhancements in human capital, innovation, poverty reduction, social equality, and environmental awareness. Nevertheless, the sheer quantity of educated individuals alone does not markedly affect sustainable development, underscoring the importance of educational quality. The study also identifies a robust connection between internet access and sustainability, with a 1% increase resulting in a more than 0.2% improvement. Conversely, challenges arise from waste generation, CPI, and uncertainty, each causing roughly 0.10%, 0.23%, and 0.19% reductions with a 1% increase. Policy implications emphasize the need to prioritize environmentally friendly education, strategically allocate resources, address challenges, and promote digital connectivity for informed decision-making and innovation.