“Education is the most powerful weapon which
you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela. For me, education may be the
most important factor of a country´s development. The kids of a country are the
future, and depending on what they are taught they will build a good future, or
destroy what is left. Everyone, no matter the gender, race, sex, social class
or religion has the right to free primary education. This human right is often
violated all over the world, it is a problem that involves the entire world,
and it now became a global issue.
Did you know that
according to CNN every day 7,000 highs school students drop out of school in
the US? This doesn't only happen in the US, it happens all over the world! Some
young teenagers and kids have to abandon their education for danger, because of
economic issues, because of racism, or even because of lack of parent supports.
You are tired of school and you sometimes hate it, but think of those who do a
great effort to go to school. Reflect on what you have and notice that you are
fortunate. The lack of education is a big problem.
In my opinion
education is connected to almost any aspect of a country that we think of.
Health, politics, justice, advancement, development, economy, industry, and
even culture are all affected by the education kids are given. A child that was
taught about diseases and how to prevent them has a higher probability of
staying healthy and avoiding illness as much as he can. Kids who went to school
can notice problems in government structures. They can even fight against it to
make a better government; they are also more likely to vote. According to the
Teacher College Columbia University, college graduates are three times more
likely to vote than high school dropouts. They are also more likely to get
involved in a political organization. Kids who were taught can invent new
technology when they grow up and make the country develop. An economy of a
country is mostly based on the companies and the kids are the ones that will
someday own those companies, if they know what has to be done they will perform
a much better job. Educated people are also less likely to commit crimes and to
be violent since they know how to live without harming anyone. Victor Hugo once
said “He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” According to the Teachers
College Columbia University the US loses hundreds of billions of dollars every
year because of high school dropouts. These costs are due to loss of
productivity, tax revenues, and more burdens to health care, public assistance,
and criminal justice systems. In general all aspects that we think of are
related to education. I think this is why a country should provide accessible
education for everyone without exceptions.
Tanzanian girls
know that a good education is the only way out of poverty, and they risk
themselves to be able to go to school. These girls are really brave, and they
give us (or at least me) an example of how valuable education is. Tanzanian
girls have to live in ghettos far away from their families so they can go to
school. The schools are far away in rural areas, and there is only one school
for each five villages. These ghettos don't provide safety for the girls; young
girls are often harassed, abused and even raped. Could you live like this? The
girls live in fear and since they cannot sleep at night for insecurity they
often fall asleep during classes. Can you believe that according to the BBC
news, 20% of the girls drop out of school because of pregnancy? It is believed
that many of these pregnancies are because of rapes. These girls suffer every
day but the only thing they want is education, and they know it is the path for
a better future. Do you feel guilty for complaining about your school or your
job now?
We (including me)
often say we don't want to go to school, that school is boring and we count the
days until the next break. I think we should appreciate that we have a great
school and that we have easy access to education because this type of problem
is not only happening in Tanzania, it happens all around the world, and every single
day. We live in a bubble, but we need to meet and understand the outside world
because many bad things are happening and we need to help. Many people are
helping including Bill Clinton and Oprah who donated money to foundations that
help kids get a good education. Don’t you feel the urge to help? I know your
heart is telling you to do something, so start now!
