Problems due to lack of education in the developing world

What is a developing country?

First of all, to find out more about inequality in underdeveloped countries, we need to define the meaning of the term “developing country”. According to Wikipedia, it is “a nation or a sovereign state with a less developed industrial base and a low Human Development Index (HDI) relative to other countries.” These type of countries usually have a much lower life expectancy, while the pregnancy and fertility rate is much higher than in other countries. The peoples’ income is also significantly lower, and there is a line of factors which all have an impact on the lack of education. Poverty, inequality, persisting marginalization and similar issues are just some of them. Further on in this blogpost, I will explain more about this.

No matter which part of the world one is from, everyone should have an equal opportunity to learn. Education has a big affection on a human life, and it shouldn’t be underestimated. Unfortunately, the world is such an unfair place, that while some countries have too much, others have too little- and both are unhappy. According to new data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS),

“263 million children and youth in the world are out of school. This is equivalent to about a quarter of the population of Europe. The total includes 61 million children of primary school age (6-11 years), 60 million of lower secondary school age (12-14 years), and the first ever estimate of those of upper secondary school age (15-17 years) set at 142 million.”- source: unesco.org

These numbers are extremely drastic and especially hard to believe. We would never be able to imagine a quarter of the population of Europe to be uneducated, but unfortunately, this is how some parts of the world function. However, have we ever tried to find out the reason behind it, and then did something to help?

After researching on the web, I found some relevant information. First of all, the main places affected are the Sub-Saharan Africa, and Central and Eastern Asia, as well as the Pacific. The reason behind the lack of education in developing countries I have mentioned before are very serious and should not be undervalued. They can lead to many issues associated with little or no education at all. Basic skills like reading and maths are requiered in everyday life. A few lessons on proper hygine and preventing pregnancies would prevent many unpleasant desieses and situations from happening.  Even in underdeveloped countries, the citizens should get the opportunity to gain the essential competences. Otherwise, areas with lack of education are usually stricken with poverty due to the deficit of schooling. Lack of education equals lack of proper job, which results in too much free time that is often poorly utilized. The locals are more exposed to gang violance, theft, drug use and such. Children and adults with a meaningful lack of education are more vunlerable to victimalization. Moreover, they have little possibility to get out of the unfortunate living cycle which also their parents have beared.

 

After reading so much on this topic, I became very frustrated on how unfair and sad the world is. I can’t bear the thought that at exactly the same time, on a different part of this planet, a girl or boy my age or younger are probably being forced to work in horrendous conditions, just to help their family survive. I wish we could do something more about this, and I am very grateful for organisations and actions such as the Lesotho Project at my school, which raises money to support schooling in Africa. Thanks to them, everyone can be a part of making the world a better and more honorable place.