Global Perspectives Project
(Individual Report “IR”)
Education for all
Question: Should every student, regardless of their socio-economic background, have the
right to receive basic education?
Introduction:
Education is a basic and a fundamental right that every individual should have, for a better
mobility of income in life. Education is significantly important to understand the economic
world. Any individual who wishes access to schooling shall receive it (without scrutinizing in
their socio-background)– to be aware and give insight of his/her ambition which may reduce
poverty (in the region/country) and increase their family or groups economic status. The
ability to read, comprehending, communication and social connectivity skills all come from
one source – Education. Individuals stuck in the lowest income quintile may never be able to
escape the poverty circle ; their only chance is through learning which is their only key.
Causes and Consequences:
“ According to the Borgen Project research 72 million children do not attend primary school
and a staggering number of 759 million people adults are illiterate.” Developed countries
have soon before recognised that is a necessity of education. However most developing
countries and economically suffering regions in the world, see school as a luxury, as its
unaffordable for most families. This is due to many reasons like:
Lack of schools – when a country/regions (economically tormenting) government
decides to build a school, they also have to think about the equipment’s(capital),
teaching staff and their salaries however with all the funds they receive, they are still
not able to afford to build the school and give students the education.
Inadequate conditions – according to UNICEF, lack of experience of teaches, not
sufficient amount of teaching equipment and poor healthcare and sanitation might be
the cause of students not getting proper tuition.
Adverse geographical position – due to lack of infrastructure or severe climatic
conditions, it makes it hard for students to commute to schools.
Lack of money – child labour is one of the main answers why children may not be
able to get their rights to education. According to research, about 300 million between
the ages of 3 and 17 work as their families can afford to put them in school rather they
cant afford basic needs to survive in the environment, so child labour hardly helps
their family and the opportunity cost of going to school is work (child labour)
(looking at the consequences) “The Borgen Project research conducted in Uganda yielded
staggering results: educated people in the country have 75% less chance to contract
HIV/AIDS, while young people with good primary education have 50% less chance to
contract the same virus.” So due to poor health one may not be able to access the abilities of
education. Also, another effect of not getting access to education could be “social isolation” –
due to not getting proper resources one may isolate themselves from social activities. Not
getting proper education can make one do “illegal activities” – due to not getting proper
wages one is forced at times to do illegal activities or due to the lack of understanding this
may cause and individual to participate in unwanted exercises.
However the advantages of going to school could be:
Development of ambition – schools give students the opportunity to understand and
what they want to do in future and helps them become more devoted to what lies
ahead.
Reduces poverty – education is the key for reducing poverty and it helps them get
jobs with high incomes. However other factors like gender affect what job you get
however going to school and receiving education lifts your income potential and
leading you to get a higher salary.
Benefiting the entire country – Organisations like World bank accept that education is
important for the country’s economic growth. As an educated society leads to a
healthy society. Schools can create individuals into a society of skilled workers and
boots the economy significantly.
{points taken and rephrased from:
https://www.allisonacademy.com/students/education/higher-education/lack-of-education/ &
https://theimportantsite.com/reason-why-school-is-important/ }
Global perspective:
According to a website, namely “course sidekick” stated that in Africa, a decision taken by
the new partnership for Africa’s development (NEPAD) has provided an e-school program.
The goal is to provide 600,000 computer equipment’s in primary and high schools – the
ambition is to improve the chances of students getting a better quality of education regardless
of their background.
National perspective:
The Right to Education Act (RTE) provide free and compulsory education to children and it
connotates that education is a fundamental right under article 21-A of the Indian constitution.
India had passed a constitutional provision regarding that all students below the age of 14
shall get education (being free and compulsory). This was accomplished under Article 45 of
the directive principle of state policy. Right to education was included as a fundamental right
under part 3 of the constitution on December 12, 2002. Under the Right of Children Free and
Compulsory Education act which was enacted in 2009 and went into effect on April 1, 2010.
Local perspective:
Well according to an online conversation of a community on Quora, the conclusion is that the
people believe that the government should focus more on funding unprivileged schools and
district levels to promote the quality of education (including qualified teachers, adequate
facilities learning materials) https://www.quora.com/How-can-we-ensure-equal-access-to-
education-for-all-individuals-regardless-of-their-socio-economic-background
Proposal of action:
The proposal of any country/region should enforce law for children who are differently abled
or come from different backgrounds to have access to education as well – just because they
may not have the same opportunities as other students doesn’t mean their rights of education
should be neglected – and this should be established in developing countries who may have
the funds to establish such of a system with the proper facilities.
Conclusion:
Personally, I think that education is a fundamental right that everyone should get regardless
of the socio-economic background. Not getting education may cause illiteracy to develop in
the country and cause low-income jobs with not that skilled full society of workers however
getting an education may create a society filled with skilled works with a potential of having
a higher wage, which will help boost the economy of the entire country. Governments of
countries/regions should focus more on funding of unprivileged schools and district sectors.
Therefore, education is an entity for each and every student!
Bibliography:
https://www.vkeel.com/legal-blog/the-importance-of-the-right-to-education-act-2009
https://pwonlyias.com/right-to-education/#right-to-education-act-2009
https://www.allisonacademy.com/students/education/higher-education/lack-of-education/
https://www.coursesidekick.com/sociology/study-guides/boundless-sociology/education-and-the-global-
perspective#:~:text=Education%20is%20becoming%20increasingly%20international%2C%20and%20mass
%20schooling,to%20be%20educated%20regardless%20of%20his%2Fher%20cultural%20background
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/right-to-education-as-a-fundamental-right
https://www.quora.com/How-can-we-ensure-equal-access-to-education-for-all-individuals-regardless-of-their-
socio-economic-background
https://theimportantsite.com/reason-why-school-is-important/
