The UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2024–25, titled "Leadership in Education: Lead for Learning," highlights critical challenges and emerging trends in global education. Released on June 4, 2025, the report emphasizes the pivotal role of leadership in achieving equitable and effective education systems worldwide.

Key Highlights

• Gender Learning Gap: Globally, only 87 boys per 100 girls achieve minimum reading proficiency; the gap is wider in middle-income countries.
• Women in Leadership: Despite being the majority of school teachers, women hold very few top educational leadership positions, especially in India.
• Lack of Leadership Training: Many countries lack proper training for school principals, affecting school management and outcomes.
• Impact of Female Leadership: Schools led by women often perform better, with research showing significant learning gains.
• Decentralized Models Work: Local leadership approaches, like Delhi’s pilot program, have improved trust and school performance.