Archive for category: Education

Information and stories on education.

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Child Vision: Glasses for Children in Impoverished Countries

Child Vision: Glasses for Children in Impoverished CountriesThere are 100 million young people in the world that have poor vision, and about 60 percent of them lack access to corrective glasses. Glasses are considered a luxury in these parts of the world. This has a big impact on kids in school, as they cannot see the blackboard clearly and lose about half a year of schooling as a result. Child Vision glasses are a cheap alternative to normal prescription glasses for children in impoverished countries.

Child Vision glasses are different from conventional glasses because they are adjustable. Each lens is actually two lenses with space in the middle. After taking a simple eye chart test, kids put on the Child Vision glasses and they can adjust it themselves. They cover one eye and turn a knob that will adjust the glasses.

The knob adjusts the liquid that is inside the lenses. The liquid causes the lenses to expand or contract, thus adjusting the prescription of the glasses. Kids turn the knob until they can see clearly. Once they can see clearly, they take off the adjustors to seal the prescription. Unfortunately, that means that kids only have one opportunity to correct their vision, but it seems that the success rate is high.

Out of all the users of adjustable glasses, 92 percent of them were able to correct their vision. One of the main reasons why glasses are considered a luxury is because of their price. The average price for glasses is about $196. The creators of Child Vision recognized this problem and worked to make the adjustable glasses affordable for those in the developing world. The average cost for Child Vision glasses is €16, or about $19.

One of the best things about these glasses is that they do not need an optometrist to correct their vision. Anyone with basic training can administer an eye chart exam to help kids learn if they need glasses.

Thanks to Child Vision, glasses for children in impoverished countries are now available. These low-cost adjustable glasses are easy to adjust and give to kids. Child Vision is giving kids the glasses they need so they can better participate in school and make the most of their education.

– Daniel Borjas

Photo: Flickr

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Education in Austria is One of the Best in Europe

Education in Austria

Education is always essential regarding the success of the social and economic future of a country, and education in Austria is no exception. The Republic of Austria has a free and public school system, and nine years of education are mandatory throughout the nation from the ages of six to fifteen, or first to ninth grade.

In Austria, there are multiple levels of education for citizens of all ages. When it comes to children ranging from the ages of zero to six, these students are taken care of in nurseries called Kinderkrippen. Kindergarteners range from the ages of three to six years old, and very young children that are usually around the age of two are looked after in small groups by day parents called Tagesmütter, and are found mostly in smaller towns and rural areas.

The first four years of schooling is completed at primary schools called Volksschule or Grundschule. From the age of ten, children are able to attend a junior high school or a secondary school called Hauptschule or Cooperative Mittelschule. Once children have entered into ninth grade at the ages of 14 or 15, they will be schooled at a polytechinical school called a Polytechnische Schule, which will ultimately prepare students for vocational orientation, an apprenticeship or even for more schooling.

Education in Austria does not stop at grade nine, however. There are many apprenticeships that students can pursue, and about 250 apprenticeship training courses exist that last between three and four years. Their occupation is learned on the job and at the school simultaneously. These students will then go on to take a final exam and become either a skilled technician or craftsman.

There are also Austrian universities and colleges that a citizen can attend, including adults. The Matura is a graduation examination that is a prerequisite for higher education in the nation.

While the standard of education in Austria may not exactly be on par with that of the United Kingdom or the United States, those considering relocating to Austria can still expect for their children to receive a sound education. Overall, the quality of education in Austria is quite good, as state schools provide a schooling that is very high in comparison to other educational systems within Europe.

– Sara Venusti

Photo: Google

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10 Educational Obstacles Throughout the World


In a perfect world, education would be free and easily accessible for citizens of all countries. As education seems to be unattainable for a lot of people in certain countries, there are a lot of people and organizations that want to help, but just do not know how or they  may not understand the many obstacles to obtaining an education. Here are 10 obstacles that citizens around the world struggle with when trying to obtain an education.

Classrooms
Finding an adequate space to teach students can be one of the major issues countries find when looking to start a school. Often, without a large enough teaching space, there are overcrowded classrooms or teachers are forced to teach outside, in which case they are not in a proper learning environment. The existing classrooms and buildings are sometimes poorly built and falling apart, lacking proper facilities such as toilets and water.

Learning Materials
Tools and materials students need access to in order to have a decent education are hard for them to obtain, often because living in poverty means that their families simply cannot afford them. A lot of textbooks are old and in bad condition and may be shared by six or more students. Not only do the students need proper materials, but the teachers often lack these supplies as well. Lesson plans and chalkboards may seem like basic materials, but a lot of countries lack these essentials for the classroom.

Expenses
Fees for tuition, school uniforms, transportation, supplies and any other fees add up very quickly. For families living on a low household income, this means that school is not an option for them; aside from this, these families often require their children to work instead of spending time in school.

Gender
Females are about two and a half times more likely to not attend school than males in conflict-affected countries. Therefore, even being born a female can prevent a student from obtaining an education. Often times this is due to the risk of a violent attack when attempting to attend class, an early marriage or pregnancy or discrimination. Some countries discriminate against women and girls from going to school because of longstanding social beliefs that men dominate women.

Rural Living
Children and students living in rural areas are at a disadvantage when it comes to their education. The distance is much farther than those who live in the city and closer to the schools, and it can be hard to find proper transportation to and from class.

Funding
A lot of poor countries do not receive enough government funding to establish a school, and often, the existing schools are not well built or sanitary. In some instances, there are not even private restrooms for females to use and this can prevent them from attending school.

Disabilities
Developmental disabilities are common of children in developing countries. Due to these – often cognitive – disabilities, families often suffer from an economic and social disadvantage. These children may not be able to learn and retain information properly, and therefore may have a hard time keeping up in school. This can prevent the child from attending school in general.

Teachers
Filling teaching positions is one of the many educational obstacles that countries face. Unfortunately, for there to be universal primary education, there would need to be 28.5 million new teachers by the year 2030. A lot of educators are given a class that contains way too many kids, with a variety of languages being spoken and not many materials to use.

Hunger
Malnutrition is known to make children very ill and hurt their immune system. Hunger can also cause things like anxiety and depression as well as behavioral problems, which can result in difficulty focusing. Not eating enough can impair childrens’ development and their achievement and can cause psychological problems.

War Zones
Education becomes less important when living in a war zone. An estimated 28 million children – 42 percent of the world’s total – do not have access to education, as they are living in war zones. Governments often donate and help with food, water and shelter, as the primary needs during an emergency, and education is an afterthought.

Although there are many obstacles prohibiting educational attainment around the globe, many of them can themselves be prevented. There are so many different organizations that people throughout the world can choose from to contribute their time to or donate to. Save the children, an organization founded in the U.S., was able to help over 13 million children receive an education in 2016. This is evidence that our donations and contributions through charities are indeed effective and changing lives, and that we are able to tackle these obstacles one by one.

– Chloe Turner

Photo: Flickr

Education in Georgia: Looking for Reforms

Education in GeorgiaAs a former Soviet republic, the country of Georgia has been undergoing decades of economic change and development. This also applies to education in Georgia. Georgians have historically maintained high standards and expectations for education, and continue to do so today.

However, since 2004, the Georgian education system has undergone numerous systematic changes. Over the past two decades, different governments have attempted to improve the quality of the educational system, but reforms have been delayed or impeded by inadequate funding and finances.

Education in Georgia is mandatory for children between the ages of 6 and 14. The educational system is divided between elementary, basic and secondary schools. Vocational education is also available to students.

The World Bank conducted a comprehensive study of the state of education in Georgia to help improve its conditions and transparency in the government sector. It found that student outcomes are particularly concerning in areas like reading comprehension, mathematics and science. These areas are much lower than they should be, especially compared to the world’s leading countries.

Georgia joined the Global Partnership for Education in 2007. During this time, the partnership endorsed Georgia’s Consolidated Education Strategy and Action Plan that covered the period between 2007 to 2011. Georgia does not receive GPE grants. Under this plan, the government was introduced to the per capita financing principle of “money follows the student” in general and higher education. This principle began the process of “per-pupil funding.” Essentially, the process urges the state to provide 12 years of free general education. Primary, basic and general schools are funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. The education is funded based on an amount per pupil.

The establishment of The National Curriculum and Assessment Center in March 2006 is another positive reform implemented through the Strategy and Action Plan. The Center has introduced new curricula for general schools and vocational schools. It is “designed to encourage active learning rather than mechanical transfer of knowledge.” The curriculums were introduced in grades 1, 7 and 10 and on a pilot basis in 2, 8 and 11. Textbooks have been developed in recent years in reaction to the new curriculums.

World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus Henry Kerali noted that the future of Georgia’s place in the world as far as competitiveness is largely dependent on its ability to improve its educational system and to produce a highly skilled workforce through teaching and learning. With these reforms in place, Georgia is working towards these goals, which will improve the quality of life for its citizens.

– Melanie Snyder

Education in Albania: Keeping More Children in School

Education in AlbaniaAlbania is a small nation in the Balkan peninsula on Greece’s northwest border. The majority of Albanian people are Muslim, which is an echo of Ottoman rule in the past. Albania became a Stalinist state under the rule of Enver Hoxha after World War II. In 1992, 42 years of communist rule was brought to an end through elections.

According to UNESCO, education in Albania has undergone various changes in order to bring the curriculum up to date, make mandatory education more accessible and fit national objectives within European and international guidelines since its transition to democracy.

Compared to other countries, there is less spent on education in Albania, according to the Albanian Coalition for Child Education. The nation set aside 3.5 percent of its GDP for education in 1999 and only 2.7 percent in 2013, which puts it almost 2 percent lower than the average in Eastern Europe.

The amount spent per elementary and secondary student in Albania was also reported as being among the lowest in the area. In 2005, Albanians had an average of 8.5 years of education, compared to an average of 12 years among ten EU member nations. The latest statistic shows that there is now an average of 11.9 years of education among Albanians.

Over the last 10 years, education in Albania has made considerable progress. The nation adopted The Law on Inclusive Education in 2012, which guarantees the right to an education to disabled children. It also guarantees them access to specialized personnel who are trained to cater to their needs.

Although this is a step in the right direction, there are still issues that need to be addressed regarding education in Albania. Over 50 percent of Roma children between 6 and 16 have never been in school and more than 40 percent between the ages of 15 and 16 are considered illiterate.

Education in Albania has made significant progress, but there still remains extensive ground to be covered. The government of Albania is taking the necessary steps to ensure that its system is up to global standards.

– Fernando Vazquez

Photo: Flickr

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9 Facts About Education in Taiwan

Education in TaiwanAlthough Taiwan produces some of the most accomplished students in the world, its educational system is not without shortcomings. Education in Taiwan continues to be a subject of discourse; these nine facts can help you better understand the situation.

  1. Tensions over statehood manifest at every level of education in Taiwan. Because Taiwan is officially known as the Republic of China, the central educational authority in Taiwan is the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China.
  2. The education system is run by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. It consists of basic elementary education, junior high school and senior secondary education.
  3. The official language of instruction is Mandarin Chinese.
  4. The literacy rate among Taiwanese people age 15 and above was 98.5 percent as of 2014.
  5. Compared to the rest of the world, students who graduate from the educational system in Taiwan achieve some of the highest scores on an international level. Comparatively, these students excel in mathematics and science. However, it has been proposed that there is too far great a focus on memorization in the educational system and a lack of creative instruction.
  6. Taiwan has a testing-oriented education system, which also poses several issues. Standardized test results have recently demonstrated the shortcomings of this system. In 2006, only 4.7 percent of Taiwan students were reading at the highest level, according to the Program for International Student Assessment. The studies suggest that students are without the ability to read or think critically.
  7. In 2014, the Ministry of Education implemented reforms that included adding three years of compulsory education in secondary schools. This was in response to the aforementioned criticisms of the previous system.
  8. The reforms included “exam-free” pathways to secondary schools, a less restrictive curriculum, subsidies for students from disadvantaged homes and making arts education available to all students, among others.
  9. Population decline poses a real threat to the Taiwan’s higher education sector. By 2023, the number of predicted student enrollments in higher education is projected to drop by a third. This will also have implications for the higher education sector of Taiwan in the globalized education market.

Education in Taiwan continues to progress, especially towards targeting areas that it is less proficient in. With the added focus on reading, arts and creativity, along with less pressure to score high on exams, Taiwan is working to ensure that its educational system meets the needs of all its students.

– Melanie Snyder

Photo: Flickr

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Education in Brunei

Brunei Darussalam, known as Brunei, is a tiny Southeast Asian Islamic sultanate. It is located on the South China Sea along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering Malaysia. Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888 and achieved independence in 1984. A high-income country with a small population (491,900), half of its GDP ($35.26 billion) is based on petroleum exports. 

A majority of the population is employed by the government, which provides education, health care and most other living expenses for its citizens.

Education Overview

Brunei’s education system is free to citizens, including university abroad, but not compulsory. This includes textbooks, transportation, food and hostels. Education comprises one year pre-primary, six years primary and six years middle and secondary school. This is followed by either pre-university or vocational education. Tertiary education is available from institutes, technical colleges, training centers and the senior education center, the University of Brunei Darussalam. The alternative tertiary education is overseas education paid for by the government. 

Wawasan Brunei 2035

Wawasan Brunei 2035, launched in 2008, outlines Brunei’s aspirations to ensure that by 2035 its people are well-educated, highly skilled and accomplished; enjoy a high quality of life; and that the nation possesses a dynamic and sustainable economy.

The desired educational outcomes (Goal #1) are a first-class education (high-quality teachers, schools and accomplishments), equal educational opportunities (high participation) and human resource development (post-secondary education and life-long learning).

SPN21, the National Education System for the 21st Century, approved in 2007, is the platform of the Ministry of Education to achieve the educational objectives of Wawasan Brunei 2035. Its three main pillars are education structure, curriculum and assessment and technical education. 

Education Challenges

Brunei and SDG 4. The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. SDG 4 is Quality Education, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Progress on the SDGs is measured by the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network and reported in the annual Sustainable Development Report (SDR).

Despite the vision outlined for 2025 and the plan outlined in Brunei’s SPN21, the 2025 SDR assessment of Brunei’s progress on SDG 4 was that “challenges remain,” with its score stagnating or increasing at less than 50% of the required rate. The country is seen as on track or remaining for three indicators: literacy (98%), net primary enrollment rate and lower secondary completion rate, although the secondary completion rate is stagnating. The significant challenge is in the participation rate in pre-primary organized learning, which is seeing a downward trend. 

Lack of Appropriate Job Opportunities. Although the government has reported significant progress attained by Wawasan Brunei 2035 regarding education, public sentiment reflects concerns about a decline in education standards and a disconnect between job opportunities and higher education. 

Economic Diversification.

Brunei’s economy has been highly dependent on oil and gas, and this may be part of the employment problem, especially since it has been suggested that the country’s oil and gas reserves would last only until 2035. The Ministry of Finance and Economy reports that this dependency has, however, been declining since Wawasan Brunei 2035 was initiated, with the oil and gas sector’s contribution to the GDP in the second quarter of 2024 reduced to 50.3%. New policies and initiatives have focused on economic diversification with the development of agriculture, fisheries, tourism and financial services being promoted. This will, perhaps, bring higher education and employment opportunities into better alignment. 

Ministry of Education Strategic Plan 2023-2027

The Ministry of Education’s most recent strategic plan reflects Wawasan Brunei 2035 and SPN21. Its key success measures are primary level achievement, secondary level achievement, renowned higher education institutions, post-secondary level enrollment, employable graduates, employer satisfaction and sustainability.

The plan notes a major strategy “to provide multiple pathways in increasing access into higher education” along with “schemes… to ensure there is opportunity to enrol [sic] into higher education in the private sector.” In 2022, 388 programs were provided across multiple fields and levels. The 2022 enrollment rates across Brunei’s five priority sectors were: services 59.78%, downstream oil and gas 19.27%, information and communication technology 16.03%, tourism 2.69% and food 2.23%.

Education and Environmental Stewardship

Brunei Darussalam has, therefore, prioritized education and the role this sector plays in the long-term future of the country. A recent innovation is the link created between education and sustainability. In line with the country’s commitment to a climate-resilient and sustainable future, Brunei’s Greening Education Plan 2025-2035 provides a comprehensive national framework where all levels of the country’s education system will include “eco-conscious” principles. Attention is given to curriculum, policy, infrastructure, procurement and data management. The plan’s six primary objectives are to:

  1. Inspire long-term behavioral change
  2. Reduce resource consumption and environmental impact
  3. Promote environmental literacy
  4. Support green skills and career pathways
  5. Foster community and national collaboration
  6. Institutionalize sustainability in educational systems

– Paula Gibson

Photo: Flickr

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Seven Things to Know About Education in Myanmar

Education in Myanmar

Due to a variety of factors, the access to quality education in Myanmar is generally poor. Below are seven things everyone should know about education in Myanmar.

  1. The amount of money invested into education in Myanmar is low. Only 1.3 percent of the country’s GDP is allocated to education. This is lower than the average reported by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Myanmar now ranks 164th out of 168 by the U.N. Human Development Index for public spending on education.
  2. In the 1940s and 1950s, Myanmar had one of the highest literacy rates out of all of the countries in Asia. Compared to its counterparts, Myanmar was expected to be one of the fastest developing areas in the region. However, a lack of funding has since decreased the access to quality education in Myanmar.
  3. Students do not get to choose what they study. Even if students choose to pursue secondary education, they have little choice in terms of their area of study. Students will be assigned to study a subject based on their previous test scores, even if the area they are forced to go into does not provide many job opportunities.
  4. Education in Myanmar is only mandatory for five years. After the five required years, many students drop out of school due to family financial struggles. At 50 percent, the number of kids enrolled in secondary education in Myanmar is about half of the enrollment percentage of secondary school students in the United Kingdom.
  5. Politics play a significant role in access to quality education in Myanmar. After trying to pass an education bill proposed in 2014 – that would give citizens less autonomy over their education – many students protested against the government. Though their behavior might have had them arrested in the past, they were successful in getting the government to reconsider the education bill, which was passed in 2015.
  6. The Quality Basic Education Program (QBEP) and UNICEF are working to improve access to education for all children in Myanmar. The QBEP strives to provide quality education services to 34 areas in Myanmar. Of QBEP’s aims, one of them is to provide help to children and communities that are the most disadvantaged.
  7. Over recent years, investment in education has improved. In a span of only two years, from 2012 to 2014, public spending on education in Myanmar increased by 49 percent.

Though the investment in education in Myanmar has improved in recent years, there is still a lot of progress to be made within the country’s education system. Many organizations, such as QBEP and UNICEF, are taking steps in the right direction by working to provide better access to education for all children in Myanmar.

– Haley Rogers

Photo: Flickr

The Varkey Foundation Seeks Education Advancement Globally

The Varkey FoundationThe Varkey Foundation is a nonprofit organization meant to improve the standards of education for underprivileged children around the world. Through building teacher capacity and advocacy campaigns, the Varkey Foundation is able to accomplish this goal.

The foundation started with Sunny Varkey, an education entrepreneur who believes that education “plays a key role in reducing conflict, prejudice, poverty and intolerance around the world.” Through the Varkey Foundation, programs geared toward improving classroom instruction, teacher appreciation and the advocation for improved global education have helped the world greatly.

The following are descriptions of the Varkey Foundation’s various campaigns and programs:

  1. Instructional Leader Program
    The Instructional Leader Program is a low-cost teacher training program that addresses the issue of teacher quality. This program consists of a five day, face-to-face course aimed at school administration and principals in order to improve teacher quality within schools. The Varkey Foundation also has training courses for tutors. It has established satellite schools to continue professional development and Saturday workshops based on school needs.
  2. Making Ghanaian Girls Great!
    Making Ghanaian Girls Great! (MGCubed) is an interactive distance-learning program—the first of its kind in Ghana. Through the use of technology and multimedia content, MGCubed is able to deliver quality teaching to over five thousand students throughout Ghana. This program uses solar powered computers and projectors to broadcast lessons to connected classrooms across Ghana. Through MGCubed, the quality of education increases and girls also have access to an after-school program specifically geared toward gender studies.
  3. Varkey Teacher Ambassadors
    Varkey Teacher Ambassadors are role models who promote great practices in education and are leaders in developing learning techniques. These teachers are known to go above and beyond for their students’ education for the best possible future. The teachers who become ambassadors are given the opportunity to share and promote their projects to larger audiences online or at the Global Education and Skills Forum.
  4. Global Teacher Prize
    The Global Teacher Prize is a $1 million prize that is annually given to a teacher that has made an extraordinary contribution to their profession. The purpose of this prize acknowledges that teachers should be recognized and celebrated for their efforts. Not only does this prize reflect the impact of the teacher on their students, but also their effort put forth in bettering the community. Through the recognition of hard working teachers, education can improve, thus improving social, political, health and economic issues throughout the world.
  5. Global Education and Skills Forum
    The purpose of the Global Education and Skills Forum is to address the challenges of education and how to improve them. This forum brings together world leaders from public, social and private sectors to seek solutions for these issues. The forum emphasizes the question, “How do we get there together?” In other words, the event is meant to bring focus to how leaders can take these solutions, implement them and make sure they benefit everyone. The forum lasts two days, where more than 2,000 delegates share and debate new ways to transform education to best benefit the world.

The Varkey Foundation focuses intently on education and leaders within education in order to improve students and communities around the world. The Varkey Foundation’s programs and campaigns continue to focus on the best possible solution, as well as acknowledging teachers in all their efforts.

– Rebekah Covey

Photo: Flickr