Title: “Bridging the Gap: Education and Justice for All”

Characters:

1. Narrator (opens and closes the play) Pia

2. Anton (a passionate teacher) Vincent
3. Daphne (a student advocate for education) Yesha
4. Fatima (a refugee student) Lysa
5. David (a politician) Chenaniah
6. Kofi (a lawyer advocating for human rights) Jewel
7. Sarah (a parent concerned with access to education) Nikka
8. Ravi (a peacekeeper working in conflict areas) Cy
9. Maya (a government official in charge of education reform) Andi
10. Alex (a youth leader working to improve education access) Ja

Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG Goal 4: Quality Education

SDG Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

ACT 1: The Classroom Debate

(Lights up on a classroom setting. Students and professionals from

different walks of life gather to discuss the connection between
peace, justice, and education. The Narrator stands at the side,
observing.)

Narrator:
The world strives for peace, but peace cannot thrive where there is
injustice. And justice cannot flourish without education. Today, we
explore the power of education to build a peaceful, just world for
all.

(Anton, the teacher, stands at the front of the room, inviting the
characters to share their thoughts.)

Anton:
Today, we’re not just talking about education in textbooks; we’re
talking about education as the backbone of justice and peace. Let’s
start by hearing from Daphne, who’s been advocating for better access
to education in marginalized communities.
Daphne:
Education doesn’t just teach facts; it shows our potential. It is the
foundation for jobs, innovation, and peace. Without access to quality
education, people fall into cycles of violence and inequality.

David:
(interrupts)
I get where you’re coming from, but let’s be realistic. Not everyone
needs a formal education to succeed. I don’t have a degree myself,
and I’ve done well. Isn’t it better to invest in skills training,
instead of pushing for a free-for-all education system?

Daphne:
Education is more than degrees, Sir! It’s about opportunities and
breaking poverty cycles. Everyone deserves a strong foundation.

Kofi:
In addition, education is about dignity and knowing your rights. It’s
the bridge from oppression to freedom. When people know their rights,
they can demand justice. Education is the key to peace and justice.

Fatima:
(Nods)
I agree. Speaking from experience, growing up I had dreams, then
conflict forced us to leave. For me, it’s a lifeline and the only
path to rebuilding. Without it, how can we rebuild our communities?

Narrator:
(Nods)
Education is the key to peace and justice. It's more than learning,
it's about building a future.

ACT 2: A World Without Education

(The lights dim slightly. The Narrator steps forward to describe a

scene where education is inaccessible.)

Narrator:
But what happens when education is absent? When schools crumble, and
hope fades?

(The group members sit down, portraying children without access to

education. The atmosphere is somber.)

Sarah:
(Worried)
It breaks my heart. My son can’t go to school. The nearest one is
miles away, and we can’t afford the fees. How do I tell him that
there’s no place for him in this world that demands a price for
knowledge?

Kofi:
I’ve seen too many cases where children fall into crime or
exploitation because they have no alternatives. The right to
education is a basic human right, yet it’s denied to so many.

Maya:
(Sighs)
We’ve been trying to reform the education system, but the lack of
funding and political will makes it difficult. Without education, how
can we build strong institutions or trust in the justice system?

Fatima:
(Speaking softly, but firmly)
It's not just about having schools. We had schools in my country, but
when the conflict came, they were destroyed. We need security and
leaders to invest in rebuilding.

Narrator:
When education is denied, so is peace. Without it, justice becomes a
distant dream.

ACT 3: The Path Forward

(The lights brighten again as the group members sit in a circle,

brainstorming solutions.)

Alex:
(Looking around)
We can’t sit back and watch this happen. As young people, we must
push for change. Everyone has a role in ensuring that every child has
access to quality education.

Ravi:
(Standing)
I agree, Alex. As a peacekeeper, I’ve seen what happens in countries
torn apart by conflict. Education is key to reconciliation. We need
to teach children about peace and justice from a young age. When we
understand each other, peace becomes possible.

Fatima:
(Smiling)
For refugees like me, education is more than a classroom. It’s a
second chance at life. It isn’t just reading and math; it’s about
hope, about believing in a better future.
Narrator:
Education is more than knowledge. It's the thread that binds peace
and justice together.

ACT 4: Closing Thoughts

(The group members take turns sharing final thoughts on the importance
of education in building a peaceful, just society.)

Anton:
Education empowers individuals to change their lives and communities.
If we’re serious about peace and justice, we must invest in
education.

David:
(Sighs and looks at the others)
You all make good points, and I’ll admit, hearing your stories has
given me a lot to think about. I’ve always believed in hard work and
practical skills over formal education because that’s how I made it.
But maybe it’s different when you don’t have other options. I can see
now that education does more than just teach facts—it builds
resilience and hope.

Daphne:
That’s exactly it, Sir. Education opens doors for people who might
not have any other way out. It’s not just about personal success;
it’s about giving everyone a fair chance.

Fatima:
(Smiling)
Education is a second chance. It’s not just math and reading; it’s
about rebuilding my future. I lost so much because of the conflict,
but through education, I can reclaim my dreams.

Ravi:
(Steps forward thoughtfully)
Peace is more than stopping conflict. Education plants the seeds for
that future, helping young people believe in something better. That’s
where true peace starts.

Kofi:
Education is also about justice. It’s about knowing your rights and
having the tools to fight for them. Everyone should have access.
Sarah:
(Nods)
As a parent, I want my child to have choices, just like any other
child.

Maya:
(Thoughtfully)
It’s true that the government has its challenges, but I’m more
committed than ever to fight for funding. Education reform isn’t just
another project. We must fight for funding.

Alex:
We all have a role in this. We must work together to make education
accessible to all.

(The Narrator steps forward as the characters look at each other with
determination.)

Narrator:
Education opens doors to peace, justice, and opportunity. Without it,
the future is bleak. With it, the future is bright. Let us ensure
that every child, no matter their background, has the chance to learn
and grow. For only through education can we truly achieve peace and
justice for all.

(Lights fade as the characters leave the stage, united in their

mission.)

Narrator:
This is our future—one built on education, peace, and justice.

(Curtain closes.)

End of Play
Props and Set Design

Act 1: The Classroom Debate

● Chalkboard or Whiteboard with "Education for All" written on it.

● Desks and chairs for the classroom setting.
● Books and notebooks for the characters to hold on desks.
● Microphone or podium for Anton, giving it a seminar-like feel as
she leads the debate.

Act 2: A World Without Education

● Empty school bags or torn notebooks scattered around to

represent the lack of resources.
● Broken desks or chairs to symbolize a neglected education
system.
● Simple blackout or draped cloth backdrop to signify a world
without hope.
● Characters can sit or stand in a circle with hunched postures
to reflect the heaviness of the scene.

Act 3: The Path Forward

● Circle of chairs for the group discussion, symbolizing unity.

● A globe or map to represent the interconnectedness of their
efforts.
● Poster boards and markers to illustrate the ideas being
brainstormed.
● Simple peace symbol or dove decoration on the backdrop.

Act 4: Closing Thoughts

● Large banner on stage with “Education, Peace, Justice for All”

or a similar phrase.
● Candles or small lights for each character to hold, symbolizing
hope.
● Character-specific props (e.g., a gavel for Kofi, a small flag
for Ravi, a pen for David) representing each person’s role in
achieving the goal.

Lighting and Sound

● Lighting: Warm, hopeful colors like yellow and orange in Act 3,

shifting to brighter whites in the final act to symbolize hope
and unity.
● Sound: A somber melody for Act 2, uplifting music for Act 3, and
a hopeful, unifying theme for Act 4.