"Less than one per cent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn’t happen. " (1997)
http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats
These are the priorities of the world.
Is war and conflict is valued more than education? LESS THAN 1% of what is spent EVERY YEAR. We just need one year of empathy, or kindness. If the amount of money spent on weapons was evenly divided throughout the year, it would take three days to solve this....... Of course creating and maintaining functioning school systems worldwide would take lots of time and lots of money..........the amount of money to fund this would be raised, in theory, in three days, if not spent on militant technology. Is it not worth it? What if the world cut back on spending by less than 1%? Or, even less than that over the course of several years. Perhaps, the US cut back minuscule amounts itself, as a model to other nations. Is it - the impact on these children's lives and the world - not worth it?
If you ask most people what is needed to be successful it's education.
At the age of seventeen, I have already had thirteen plus years of education. Kindergarten through twelfth grade. Pre-school. Day-care. School isn't something I'd say I'm thankful for, if asked on the spot. The first word that comes to my mind associated with school is annoying. At times it seems more of a drag than enjoyable. But, thinking about it now, I realize how much I am given. I feel that many of us overlook our lives and the fortunes we have. We're privileged enough in this community to be able to receive a quality education and access to incredible resources allowing us to enrich our minds and continue learning beyond the classrooms and the cell phones, computers, smart boards...
I remember reading once about how the cure for cancer might be trapped in a mind of an impoverished child.
Is it not worth it?
Although school may seem to be a nuisance at times, I know very well that it is important. School is important because it provides us with an education. Education is important because it opens the doors to many opportunities, to have and be a success. School can provide children with opportunities. More opportunities to grow, learn, get a job, have a hobby, foster a passion etc. Many of us come from a family with a stable income and a comfortable living situation. We go out into the world to find success, happiness and make something of ourselves.
But, what if you didn't. What if you couldn't? What if getting an education wasn't the plan... never an option, or even a thought? What if you had to stay home because rebels have taken hold of the school? What if you had a disability? What if you're part of the 11% of children worldwide who are child laborers and must work instead of learn? What if you had to stay home to help your mother take care of your siblings? What if you're not deserving of an education, unlike your brothers? You're a girl, so you can't attend school. This isn't new in Somalia - a country where only 36% of girls attend schools. In Syria, nearly half of the population is not attending school. Two hundred and ninety-schools have been destroyed in recent fightings in the Ukraine. Because of the Ebola outbreak schools have been closed and 3.5 million children are unable to attend school in Liberia and Sierra Leone. In sub-Saharan Africa, there's a lack of qualified teachers leaving 1/5 children who attend unable to read or write by the end of their studies. Natural disasters, diseases, wars, financial and economical issues have interfered with these children's educations.
But evidence shows that if we invest more in education, poverty is reduced at a faster rate. In addition, there are long-term health benefits and greater gender equality
(http://www.aworldatschool.org/news/entry/10-reasons-why-children-dont-go-to-school-1350).
Is it not worth it?
< ~1%
I agree with what you said. Most of us do take school and education for granted. I for one, am guilty of it. My first thought of school is that it's annoying but we have to realize that it is a privilege. So many people would die for the education we are receiving. I saw it personally with my own two eyes. Recently I went on a trip to Guatemala and the poverty is so devastating. Kids, that should be going to school, are out on the streets selling gum, candy, water, etc. Some kids even put on a show! They dress up as clowns, act, and hope that someone will give them money. They do whatever they can to make ends meat. Even the schools are in poverty. My family and I were allowed into the school, my parents attended as kids, and our school is the Buckingham Palace compared to it. It was not a really bad school but it made me realize how lucky we have it.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt works for the government of the city she live in, and she is in charge of making sure the administration of supplies is distributed throughout the public schools. She ensures that the students are supplied with books and supplies. But it is difficult with the amount of money they have. The students have to buy the books.
We should be happy that we have the chance to be annoyed at school because we can actually receive an education.