How Important Is Education ?
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child says that every child has the right to an education. But for many kids around the world, going to school is still not possible. In 2021, about 244 million children and young people between the ages of 6 and 18 were not in school. More than 118 million of these were girls.
Even for those who are in school, over 617 million children and teenagers do not have basic skills in reading and math.
What is Education?
Education is the process where someone learns or teaches basic knowledge. Through education, a person:
- Learns important life skills
- Understands social rules
- Develops the ability to think and make decisions
- Learns to tell right from wrong
The main goal of education is to help a person live a good life and be a positive part of society when they grow up.
There are different types of education, but traditional schooling is often seen as the key to success. People who go to school and get higher education are usually more likely to get jobs and earn more money.
In poorer countries, every extra year of education can increase a person’s future income by about 10%. Education helps people escape poverty and have better lives. This is why parents work hard to send their children to school, and why countries try to make education available to everyone.
Why is Education Important?
Education is important for many reasons. It helps people reach their goals and improves their future. Here are some other reasons why education matters:
- Communication Skills: Education helps people learn how to read, write, speak, and listen, which are all important for communication.
- Critical Thinking: Education teaches people to think critically and use logic, which is important for making decisions and solving problems.
- Job Opportunities: Education helps people meet the basic requirements for jobs and increases their chances of getting better jobs.
- Gender Equality: Education helps promote equality between men and women. For example, in Peru, an extra year of school for girls reduces teen pregnancy rates by nearly seven percent and gives women more control over their lives.
- Child Survival: According to UNESCO, children born to mothers with a high school education are 31% more likely to survive past the age of five.
Types of Education
Education can be divided into three types: formal, informal, and non-formal.
- Formal Education: This is the type of education that happens in schools and follows a set curriculum. It starts in elementary school and can continue through college. Teachers or professors provide formal education.
- Informal Education: This type of education happens outside of schools. It includes learning at home, in libraries, or online. It can also happen when someone learns from older people in their community. Informal education is often unplanned and happens naturally.
- Non-formal Education: This type of education is organized like formal education but does not take place in a traditional school setting. It includes community courses, job training, or short programs. Non-formal education is flexible and can be for people of any age.
Benefits of Education
If every student in poorer countries learned basic reading skills, it could change entire societies. UNESCO says that if all adults had just two more years of schooling, nearly 60 million people could escape poverty. But education is about more than just earning money. It also improves the quality of life, job choices, and many other things, like:
- Problem-Solving Skills: Education helps people learn how to make decisions and solve problems, which is important in daily life.
- Self-Reliance and Empowerment: Knowing how to read, write, and do math gives people confidence and helps them take care of themselves. For example, being able to read lets someone learn new things, and knowing how to budget helps them manage money.
- Promoting Equality: Education helps people form their own opinions and respect others’ views. This can lead to more peace and fairness in society.
- Stability and Financial Security: Education is often linked to income. People with more education are more likely to have better jobs and earn more money.
- Economic Growth: An educated population helps build a country’s economy. Studies show that countries with high literacy rates are more likely to grow and develop. For example, in Canada, most jobs require reading skills at a college level.
- Giving Back to the Community: Educated people can make a big difference in their communities. Many children dream of becoming teachers, doctors, or government leaders to help others.
How Can I Help Make Education Accessible?
In Canada, children can go to school for free until they finish high school, but this is not true everywhere. Here are some ways you can help make education available to more children around the world:
- Child Sponsorship: World Vision’s Child Sponsorship program collects funds from donors, partners, and the Canadian government to provide children with things like food, clean water, healthcare, and education in 44 countries.
- Raw Hope: This program helps children learn even in dangerous places. It creates safe spaces for kids to play and continue learning, even in tough situations.
- Gift Catalogue: World Vision’s online Gift Catalogue allows people to donate items like textbooks, school supplies, or technology to help children get an education.
- Volunteer: You can also help by volunteering your time. Look for local groups that need volunteer teachers or reach out to organizations like Volunteer Canada or World Vision Canada to find out how you can get involved.