Archive for category: Education

Information and stories on education.

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UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report’s Call to Action

UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report’s Call to Action Throughout our human history, education has always stood as a fundamental pillar for progress, equity and empowerment. However, as we progress into the 21st century, a formidable chasm emerges—one that threatens to jeopardize the very foundations of this cornerstone. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Education Monitoring Report’s Call to Action serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need to bridge this gap.

In fact, the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report highlights a critical concern—a $97 billion funding shortfall necessary to meet the ambitious Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) by the year 2030. This analysis delves into the critical need to address this educational funding gap and the intricate challenges introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying key strategies for creating a more equitable future in education.

The $97 Billion Question

The 2023 UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report illuminates a significant financial shortfall obstructing the achievement of global educational goals by 2030. To guarantee universal access to quality education at the pre-primary, primary and secondary levels in low and lower-middle-income countries from 2023 to 2030, an additional $97 billion in funding is necessary. This figure is particularly concerning compared to the initial annual financing gap of $39 billion estimated for the period from 2015 to 2030.

This shortfall poses a risk of leaving numerous countries behind in their commitment to SDG 4. This dire financial situation necessitates a comprehensive reassessment of how education is financed globally, with sub-Saharan Africa most in need, facing a $70 billion yearly shortfall to meet its educational needs: it is estimated, that around 20% of children of primary school age and nearly 60% of upper secondary school age are currently not attending school.

A Crisis Within a Crisis

The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened pre-existing educational inequities, bringing to the forefront additional complexities in both funding and educational access. On top of the GEM Report, insights from UNESCO and the World Bank shed light on the significant toll the pandemic has taken on educational outcomes, with projections indicating potential losses amounting to $21 trillion in lifetime earnings for learners at the moment.

This alarming scenario underscores the critical need for a substantial increase in pre-primary teaching staff in economically disadvantaged countries and a concerted effort to address the widespread learning deficits that have emerged globally as a result of the pandemic.

A Rallying Cry for Action

Responding to emerging crises, the World Bank has outlined a five-pillar strategy to revitalize global education. This strategy focuses on preparing and motivating learners, enhancing teacher skills, improving the relevance and availability of learning resources, creating safe and inclusive schools and managing education systems effectively.

This plan demonstrates the Bank’s dedication to systemic reform and outcomes-based methods, providing a guide to navigate the current challenges toward a future where everyone has access to quality education.

Furthermore, the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report emphasizes the crucial role of technology in unlocking the full potential of education systems worldwide. This includes digital learning platforms, online resources and teacher training in ICT, aiming to reduce the pandemic-induced funding gap by up to 75%.

It highlights three foundational pillars necessary for the effective integration of technology in education:

  1. Access to Technology: Ensuring universal access to digital tools and the internet is fundamental. In fact, without widespread access, the benefits of educational technology cannot be fully realized, perpetuating existing inequalities.
  2. Governance and Regulation: The establishment of robust governance frameworks and regulatory mechanisms is essential to guide the use and integration of technology in educational settings. These frameworks should address quality assurance, data privacy and equity concerns.
  3. Teacher Preparation: Teachers are at the heart of educational transformation, and preparing them with the necessary skills and resources to integrate technology into teaching practices is vital. This includes training in digital pedagogies and providing ongoing professional development opportunities.

Investing in the Future

The UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report highlights a journey fraught with challenges yet brimming with opportunities for transformative reforms. Tackling these obstacles requires evidence-based policymaking and enhanced international cooperation, now more critical than ever.

These actions represent a worldwide commitment to ensure education is an inalienable right, available to everyone regardless of their socioeconomic status.

– Matilde Liboni
Photo: Pixabay

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Photography Program Helps Improve Colombian Education

Colombian EducationAs part of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Juntos Aprendemos (Together We Learn) program, two artists launched Veanvé in Medellín, Colombia, specifically at the Joaquin Vallejo Arbeláez Educational Institution. This initiative aims to teach students photography skills, through which they can channel their thoughts, emotions and creativity into an art form. By doing so, the Veanvé hopes to increase student enrollment and retention in areas affected by migration, which is widespread in Colombia and the basis of the USAID program.

Overview of Colombian Education

In June 2023, the World Bank Group reported a 64% learning deprivation in public schools in Medellín, where Veanvé launched. Medellín also had a learning poverty index of 61 in a 195,126 population. The Learning Poverty Index gauges the percentage of children unable to read proficiently by a certain age, revealing educational challenges and areas for improvement. In 2023, more than 2.5 million Venezuelan migrants fleeing a poverty-stricken country faced multiple obstacles in obtaining education and social services.

These challenges included the absence of necessary legal prerequisites, insufficient understanding of the Colombian education system and inadequate documentation. Since then, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has supported a program called Evaluar para Avanzar that sought to find learning gaps in schools and help teachers identify plans to bridge those gaps. It was successful in reaching more than 150,000 students.

Juntos Aprendemos

Juntos Aprendemos (Together We Learn) program, which began in February 2021 and runs till December 2026, aims to help migrant students ages 3 to 17 get better access to quality education. Since its focus is immigrant children, the program targets migrant areas like Medellin and Bogota.

The initiative partners with organizations such as the Ministry of Education, Secretaries of Education, the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (CFWI) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) to achieve three main goals: improve educational quality, increase access to education and strengthen community engagement.

Additionally, the program is partnering with education authorities to develop policies that foster migrant and returnee children’s access to the Colombian educational system, among other initiatives. Veanvé is one of many initiatives Juntos Aprendemos undertook to help it reach its main goals and increase migrant student enrollment.

What Is Veanve

Camilo “Rulos” Perez and Juan Diego “Skinny” Laura spearheaded Veanvé in public school Joaquin Vallejo Arbeláez Educational Institution. Their target audience was migrant students escaping difficult circumstances in host countries. Colombia reported the dropout rate for migrant students was twice as high compared to other students.

Laura and Perez believed photography would help integrate migrant students and decrease dropout rates. In the workshop, Rulos and Skinny merge lessons on film photography where students share their thoughts, emotions and experiences through collaborative art. Participants are guided in creating basic cameras and kaleidoscopes using everyday items like cardboard boxes, cans and oranges, eliminating the need for expensive equipment students cannot afford.

USAID’s Juntos Aprendemos provided Veanvé with the necessary funding, training and assistance for the workshops. The migrant students in Medellín looked at this program as an opportunity, proven when 20 people enrolled in Veanvé right when it launched in 2022. According to USAID, students were committing hours after school to participate in this initiative and sometimes walked home because of the lack of buses. Also, students looked to Perez and Laura as guides, sometimes opening up to them on issues in their lives.

Other Programs Improving the Colombian Education System

To increase migrant access to education through curricular flexibility, UNICEF launched Aprendamos Todos a Leer, which translates to Let’s All Learn to Read, in 14 settlements housing migrants such as Arauca and La Guajira. This program expanded the “educational capacity of 51 female community leaders” and benefitted more than “800 children and adolescents.”

– Lucciana Choueiry
Photo: Flickr

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Save the Children Saved 552,000 Ugandans Last Year

Save the ChildrenSave the Children has been operating in Uganda since 1959 and is a leading children’s charity. It focuses on vulnerable children and families, addressing health, food security, livelihoods and education. The nonprofit reached more than 552,000 children in Uganda in 2023 with public donations. Here are some recent examples of the charity’s amazing work.

Health Care

Through the Save the Children and local leaders under the Strengthening Partnerships, Results and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING) program, efforts are directed toward improving nutrition for mothers, infants and young children. Working with government ministries and district partners, the charity has successfully identified the most vulnerable children and families in 35 communities. This initiative involves imparting knowledge and skills necessary for these communities to access essential services effectively. As a result, 227,000 children have benefited from these efforts, contributing significantly to their health and nutrition.

Education

Education is fundamental to Save the Children’s mission in Uganda, with the organization making substantial strides in enhancing access to quality learning. The construction of schools, teacher training initiatives and gender participation strategies significantly improved school enrolment rates, leading to a 17% gain in literacy and a 24% gain in numeracy.

In addition to its impactful work in health and nutrition, Save the Children’s education programs have positively impacted more than 167,000 girls and boys in Uganda. The investment in schools goes beyond imparting knowledge, as the organization is also actively involved in providing essential health services. This includes immunizations, as well as vision and hearing screenings in schools, ensuring that children have access to quality health care.

Child Protection

Child Protection is also at the core of Save the Children’s Initiatives, focusing on raising community awareness about children’s rights and actively implementing them. In Northern Uganda, the foundation’s Responsible, Engaged and Loving (REAL) Fathers project is making substantial strides in transforming parental practices and decreasing violence within homes. The project has achieved noteworthy reductions, including a 29% decrease in intimate partner violence and an 18% reduction in the use of physical punishment.

Additionally, it has a pioneering Gender Roles Equality and Transformations (GREAT) project in Northern Uganda, working towards reducing sexual and gender-based violence in the region. Furthermore, the Save the Children’s Life Skills for Success approach, which helps adolescent girls build vocational skills, has led to a 35% increase in the likelihood of their engagement in income-generating activities.

Refugee Response

Uganda hosts more than 1.5 million refugees (the world’s fifth highest), with 61% being children. An unfortunate reality is that many refugees in the country face poverty and food insecurity. Save the Children is actively addressing these issues through various initiatives. It provides cash for work projects and employment opportunities while also supporting local communities by engaging in tree planting and road repair activities.

Additionally, the Response Innovation Lab by Save the Children serves as a collaborative platform, facilitating the development of innovative solutions to address the unique and challenging problems faced by refugees in the region.

Final Remark

Since 1959, Save the Children has been instrumental in helping the lives of vulnerable children and their families in Uganda. Through various programs, the nonprofit has reached more than 552,000 children in the country in the past year. This fantastic progress demonstrates that change is not only possible but is actively happening in the lives of children across Uganda.

– Jack Timmins
Photo: Flickr

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Lack of Technology for Education for Bolivian Students

Technology for EducationThe challenges posed by the lack of technology for education have shaped the educational landscape for Bolivian students, marking a distinctive element of the nation’s developmental course. While Bolivia struggles with the challenges posed by the digital divide, economic researchers are examining the intricate relationship between technological accessibility and academic opportunities. They aim to shed light on the profound implications on educational advancement and prospects of Bolivian students.

Root Causes of the Lack of Technology in Education

The lack of technology for education for Bolivian students can be attributed to a mix of factors, painting a complex picture of the challenges facing their education system. One significant contributor is the economic disparity prevalent in the country, where a considerable portion of the population faces financial constraints hindering their access to modern educational tools.

Limited infrastructure, especially in remote and rural areas, accelerates the problem, making it difficult to establish reliable internet connectivity and access to electronic devices.

Much of Bolivia’s citizenry remains poor, thus lacking widespread “Information and Communications Technology” (ICT) use.

According to Bolivia’s telecoms authority’s data, only about 40% of Bolivians and only 3% in rural areas have internet access. These households experienced the region’s worst connection speed. Therefore, it is uneasy to introduce ICT in secondary schools in this kind of setting, knowing the issue of the lack of technology for education is prominent.

Challenges of Lack of Technology for Education

The absence of advanced technological tools in classrooms hinders students’ access to current information and interactive learning experiences. This digital divide perpetuates inequality, as students in impoverished areas face disparities in educational opportunities compared to their counterparts in more affluent regions. Educational disadvantage translates into a workforce needing more digital skills for contemporary jobs, perpetuating low-income employment opportunities. Insufficient access to quality education perpetuates a cycle of poverty, limiting opportunities for individuals and communities.

Solving Lack of Technology for Education

Help Bolivia Foundation – Started in 2018 as a prominent foundation incorporated in Canada, it aims to alleviate poverty resulting from the lack of technology by funding educators and equipment to teach basic computer skills to 24 students over a year. With the purchase of six new computers for the dedicated computer room, the initiative provides a vital opportunity for these students to acquire fundamental computer skills, internet knowledge and proficiency in software packages such as Office. The Help Bolivia Foundation has made strides in providing a platform for these students to access technology, empowering them with the tools necessary for future success and socioeconomic advancement.

One Student, One Computer – Operating since 2014, “One Student, One Computer” strives to address the adverse impact of technological poverty on education and subsequently alleviate poverty. With an emphasis on improving access to information and technology, the program, aligned with the Patriotic Agenda 2025, aspires to enhance the quality of education in Bolivia.

Through initiatives like providing Quipus computers with tactile screens, rotating cameras and wireless connectivity, the program aims to make classes interactive, bridging the digital gap. These computers, costing $410 each and assembled locally, cater to the needs of private high schools and garner interest from countries like Argentina, Ecuador and Peru. The success of initiatives like the “Yes I Can” program has played a pivotal role, culminating in UNESCO declaring Bolivia free of illiteracy in December 2008.

Conclusion

Researchers and education organizations alike have become more conscious of the critical need to address the use of technology in the classroom. Efforts like the “One Student, One Computer” program gained traction. There is hope for bridging the technological gap and fostering a more equitable educational environment, paving the way for enhanced socioeconomic development in Bolivia.

– Mahima Bhat
Photo: Flickr

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The Osaka Foundation: Improving Haiti’s education system

The Osaka FoundationHaiti is a Caribbean country battling deficient education quality following two massive earthquakes in 2010 and 2021 and the 2020 pandemic continues to have residual effects on the country’s education system.

These events have caused a significant decrease in Haiti’s Human Capital Index (HCI). Human capital is essentially the skills and experiences citizens develop that can benefit countries and their infrastructures, an example being a country having quality education. Countries with higher human capital allow citizens to excel in productivity, which will, in turn, benefit countries economically.

In Haiti, the HCI is 0.4 out of 0.8, meaning there needs to be more effort in developing a quality education for Haitian students. According to the World Bank, “a child born today in Haiti will grow up to be only 45% as productive as they could be if he or she had enjoyed full access to quality education and health care.” This statistic represents the importance of bettering Haiti’s education system.

Facts About Haiti’s Education System

According to Schools for Haiti (a non-profit organization focusing on religious teachings), “the enrollment rate for a primary school in Haiti is 57% and fewer than 30% of the students reach 6th grade.”

The low enrollment in Haiti is because of the lack of public education. Most schools in Haiti are private and require tuition payments for children to attend, which many families cannot afford. According to Reuters, “most Haitian citizens live on less than $3 per day,” and the cost of private schooling can range from $1,400.00 in inner-city areas to $552.00 in the countryside annually in Haiti.

Currently, violent gangs grow staggeringly as the government is in shambles following the pandemic and the assassination of their President, Jovenel Moïse, in 2021. The weak government leadership has allowed Haitian gangs to dominate Haiti’s food supplies, money circulation and schools. The power these gangs have over the education system is tremendous; children are being recruited into gangs as it is the only organization providing food and protection to citizens and schools are dealing with raids, leaving the students in dangerous situations.

Violent Attacks

UNICEF reports that within the past year in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital and most populated city: “72 schools have been targeted, compared to eight during the same four-month period the year before. This includes at least 13 schools targeted by armed groups, one school that was set on fire, one student who was killed and a school in which two staff members were kidnapped.”

In response to these violent attacks, many schools have shut down to protect the students and their staff. In the same report, UNICEF states, “In the first six days of February alone, 30 schools were shuttered as a result of escalating violence in urban areas, whereas since last year October, it has been found that 1 in 4 schools has remained closed.”

The Importance of Education in Haiti

Education is the key to social mobility for many, especially in underdeveloped countries where they understand the privilege of quality education. In an article by Joseph Burns, a writer for New Trader U, “Quality education plays an integral role in nurturing generations of minds. While the classroom provides structured learning, gaining knowledge is a lifelong endeavor that brings immense personal fulfillment.”

Education is a vehicle for a better future for their children, so many parents in Haiti are adamant about paying for their education despite the high expense. The children in Haiti have numerous obstacles to earning a quality education.

The Osaka Foundation

Over the years, there has been a great effort to create a more stable free education experience for Haitian children that can manifest a bright future for Haiti’s children. Many organizations and nonprofits plan on bringing high and equal education to Haiti’s students. Garry Jules is the coordinator and VP of Business Development of The Osaka Foundation. The Osaka Foundation is a non-profit organization in Jacmel that educates children ages 5 to 11 in sports, music, technology and primary education to empower and inspire Haiti’s youth.

Jules expresses concern with the violent events in Haiti but wishes many to know that is not the only aspect of Haiti. There is so much untapped brilliance in Haiti’s children, academically and physically. They are just not allowed to express it within the current academic structure. Jules spoke with the Borgen Project, saying, “We cannot just be the subject in the news for them; we must get involved. So, one of our missions is to reach out to students in the diaspora, in general, to make changes.”

The Osaka Foundation supports incorporating sports in their education program to show alternative ways students can learn, as sports are one of the more popular activities to entertain themselves throughout their days. Jules emphasizes the importance of Haitians working with what they currently have. Strengthening the education of sports can bring hope to the students and their futures: “Allow them to become professional athletes if they can benefit from a scholarship from other universities in the world and then that’s a way for them to promote Haiti socially too,” Jules states.

Conclusion

Haiti’s education system faces struggles, but they are endeavors the Haitian community is willing to battle to bring in quality education and future generations that can shine a light on Haiti’s unique attributes and capabilities.

– Jessica Jean-Baptiste
Photo: Flickr

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Updates on SDG 1 in Chile

Updates on SDG 1 in Chile
The U.N.’s first and most important Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for all nations is to “End poverty in all its forms everywhere.” Chile has experienced an economic miracle since the fall of Pinochet, and here is an explanation of how this economic transformation has translated into modern development.

Poverty

The U.N.’s SDG 1 measures poverty rates across the globe, the number of people who live on less than $1.90 a day and the amount those who live on less than $3.20 a day. Chile’s transition from the Pinochet kleptocracy to a market-based economy in 1990 helped develop the Chilean economy through foreign investment and internal economic development, which increased the quality of life and living standards across Chile.

Although the World Bank estimates that in 1990 38.6% of Chile’s population lived below the poverty line, as of 2022, the U.N. estimates that 0.03% of Chileans live on less than $1.90 a day and just 0.18% live on less than $3.20 a day. These scores show that the updates on SDG 1 in Chile are that significant progress has occurred. Market orientation to has effectively eradicated poverty in Chile, but that does not tell the whole story about the updates on SDG 1 in Chile.

The second aspect of the U.N.’s SDG 1 in Chile is measuring relative poverty, the share of a population whose income is less than half of the median disposable income in that country. Chile scored particularly badly in this metric at 16.5% in 2017. The U.N.’s long-term goal is for all countries to score around 6%, and Chile is wide of this margin.

Inequality

Chile has had long-run problems with inequality stretching back to the Pinochet era and the beginnings of marketization. The focus on Chile’s growth was firmly based on poverty eradication and little investment went towards structures that allow a thriving middle class to develop. The Chilean governments of the 2000s and 2010s did not sufficiently invest in educational infrastructure and a true welfare state, resulting in what has become known as “Santiago style-inequality,” where a lower class lives above the poverty line with little prospect of any further development.

Education in Chile is almost fully privatized, resulting in a system designed only to help high achievers and leave behind those who often need good education the most to improve their economic situation. This includes high school education, a sector traditionally run by the state in developing nations to ensure a decent outcome for all students. According to The Guardian, the cost of education in Chile is astronomical, with the average university degree costing 41% of an average yearly income which further prevents social mobility, keeps those above the poverty line in that class and creates “Santiago style-inequality.”

Major Reforms

Chile’s president from 2014-2018, Michelle Bachelet, made major reforms to education, improving the quality of and access to primary and secondary education. Still, Bachelet’s main reform was to make higher education free for those with the lowest incomes. The bill protected a certain amount of the budget to pay for the higher education of some of the poorest Chileans, which at the time made higher education free for 60% of the country. The bill also set up a national body to set tuition fees for all students apart from the 10% richest Chileans. Private universities can only charge whatever fees they choose for the richest 10% of students rather than all students.

People are seeing the benefits of Bachelet’s reform in the updates on SDG 1 in Chile today. Social mobility has increased by breaking down these educational barriers and making education available to all Chileans, reducing poverty and inequality. Poorer Chileans are going to university in larger numbers than ever. However, there is still much of done on future educational reform to help reduce inequality in the long term.

Overall, the updates on SDG 1 in Chile are that Chile is on track to achieve the poverty eradication aspect but is failing in inequality reduction. Still, hope exists for the future if Chile can put the right educational reforms in place.

– John Cordner
Photo: Flickr

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Amantani: Fighting for Education in Peru

AmantaniIn the heart of the Peruvian Andes, where the majestic mountains meet the vibrant culture of indigenous communities, Amantani strives to make a significant impact. In 2019, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimated that 40% of those identifying as Indigenous enrolled in tertiary education and only 14% of those who only spoke an Indigenous language pursued a university education. Amantani is dedicated to defending the rights of indigenous children and young people, working tirelessly to provide access to higher education and create opportunities for a brighter future.

Background

Founded in 2008, Amantani operates in the high-altitude regions of the Peruvian Andes, where indigenous communities often face numerous challenges, including economic hardships, limited access to education and a lack of resources. The organization currently operates in Ccorca, a Quechua district close to Cusco. While Ccorca embraces a strong culture tied to indigenous roots and collaboration amongst each other, the marginalized indigenous communities still suffer from alcoholism, discrimination and violence.

Amantani’s goal is to provide children and young adults in Ccorca access to higher education and employment opportunities, encouraging social growth and indigenous pride among rural communities across Peru. The organization works in tandem with the Children of Peru Foundation, receiving funding from the foundation to build better educational opportunities for underprivileged children.

Access to Education

Amantani firmly believes that education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering indigenous youth. Rural communities across Peru lack access to steady education, with both teachers and students facing obstacles to getting to school due to the country’s lack of sufficient infrastructure. Language barriers between teachers from urban regions and students who only speak Quechua contribute to the growing disadvantages many children in Ccorca face when learning basic elementary school lessons.

Amantani collaborates with local communities to establish and support educational programs tailored to meet the specific needs of indigenous children. The organization, working with funding from the Children of Peru Foundation, has built boarding houses for more than 350 children who faced physical barriers to school. Additionally, scholarship programs have been initiated for more than 100 young people. Furthermore, 35 are participating in monitoring programs from the boarding houses.

Fighting for Higher Education

While primary education is crucial, Amantani goes a step further by actively advocating for higher education opportunities for indigenous youth, particularly young women. Many girls, some of whom endure four-hour walks to get to school, face risks of domestic violence and sexual abuse in their attempts to pursue an education. With girls often negated to the traditional role of a wife or mother, Amantani emphasized that access to tertiary education could be transformative for them, opening doors to better employment opportunities.

The organization has set up several initiatives to fund fellowships and university costs. Ethical Trade is an initiative where more than 40 female artisans and crafters create Andean hats and bracelets to sell for a profit in Peru and the U.K. Ethical Trade not only supports local community economics but also utilizes the revenue to fund university studies, promoting financial literacy among young women.

The Transition Project

Amantani implemented the Transitions Project to support the shift of young people from secondary schooling to university. When the organization was first established, only 35 children were enrolled in secondary school. By 2017, Amantani’s support helped enroll 221 students in secondary school, with 75 students preparing to graduate and pursue higher education or formal employment.

The Pathways Program portion of the Transition Project encourages capacity building, offering academic and psychosocial support through educational workshops and specialized mentoring. The program specializes in offering computer literacy, numeracy and literacy classes to prepare students for university entrance exams and equip them with essential digital communication skills.

The Scholarships Program portion of the Transition Project encourages reaching opportunities, providing scholarships at technical colleges and universities along with support from a professional team of teachers and psychologists. The program’s Youth Hub is facilitated by a student council to lead workshops for young people. In addition, the program has created an extensive network of employer partners to connect graduating students with full-time work opportunities.

Amantani’s dedication to defending the rights of indigenous children and young people in the Peruvian Andes is commendable. By fostering a commitment to education, the organization is not only breaking the chains of poverty but also uplifting the rich cultural heritage of Ccorca’s indigenous communities. Through their efforts, Amantani is planting the seeds of empowerment, cultivating a future where indigenous youth can thrive and contribute to the development of their communities and beyond.

– Megha Gupta
Photo: Flickr

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Palwal District School in India Offering Affordable Education

Affordable EducationIn the heart of the Bamnikhera village in the Palwal district of India stands Kishora Vidya Mandir, a school symbolizing hope and transformation for the local community. This educational institution has been instrumental in providing quality affordable secondary education to children in the town at an affordable cost. Consequently, it has broken barriers and empowered students, particularly women, to pursue education and escape poverty. The Borgen Project spoke with Mr. Mahesh Sharma, Chairman of Kishora Vidya Mandir, who shared valuable insights about the school.

Poverty remains a significant challenge in the northern Indian state of Haryana despite its rapid economic growth and industrialization. According to the latest available data from the Niti Ayog, the state’s poverty rate stood at 7.07% from 2019 to 2021. While this represents a decrease from previous years, the persistence of poverty highlights the need for targeted interventions. One of the contributing factors to poverty in Haryana is the unequal distribution of wealth. The state has witnessed substantial economic development, but its population has yet to share the benefits equitably. Additionally, rural areas face unique challenges as communities reliant on agriculture contend with unpredictable crop yields and limited access to modern farming techniques.

Regional Challenges and Affordable Education

Lack of affordable education perpetuates the cycle of poverty, limiting opportunities for individuals to secure well-paying jobs. Palwal, an agriculture-dependent region, has long grappled with poverty, limiting many children’s access to secondary education. Consequently, education often takes a back seat due to financial constraints, making it difficult for students to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Kishora Vidya Mandir has emerged as a beacon of hope in these challenges. The school was established in 1994 with 90 students enrolled and since then, it has been committed to providing quality education to every child in the community, irrespective of their financial background. The institution believes education is the key to breaking the chains of poverty and is determined to make it accessible to all. One of the unique aspects of Kishora Vidya Mandir is its focus on offering education at a low cost. This initiative has proven to be a game-changer, enabling families, even those facing financial difficulties, to afford quality education for their children.

The success stories emerging from Kishora Vidya Mandir are a testament to the impact of its commitment to education. The results have been excellent in the last five years, with more than 90% of students graduating from 10th grade and almost 87% graduating from 12th grade. It is worth mentioning that some students were the district toppers in rural areas and the school has grabbed the 10th state position among the thousands of state-run schools.

Practically, Sharma also shared with us that Ms. Poonam, a student who graduated from Kishora Vidya Mandir, eventually cleared the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) for engineering and went on to study engineering from the notable NIT Kurukshetra, a renowned engineering college in India. These achievements bring pride to the school and instill confidence and empowerment among the students.

Growth, Partnerships and Collaborations

Over the years, Kishora Vidya Mandir has experienced significant infrastructure and student enrollment growth. Today, around 650 students are a part of the school and receive up to senior secondary education in all three streams, i.e., science, commerce and arts. In addition to affordable school fees, school buses are provided to students from distant villages. The institution’s success can be attributed, in part, to the partnerships and collaborations it has fostered.

Local businesses, philanthropic organizations and government initiatives have supported the school’s mission. These collaborations have provided financial assistance and brought in expertise and resources to enhance the overall educational experience for the students. One such collaboration is a computer diploma course certified by India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development. It is run after school hours and on Sundays to educate the students who have completed 12th grade or anyone willing, irrespective of age.

Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for Bamnikhera

Kishora Vidya Mandir stands as a beacon of hope in the Bamnikhera village, demonstrating that education can be a powerful tool in eradicating poverty and empowering communities. The school’s commitment to providing affordable and quality education has transformed the lives of countless children, breaking down barriers and opening doors to a brighter future. As Kishora Vidya Mandir continues to grow and inspire, it serves as a reminder that education is about acquiring knowledge and building a foundation for a more equitable and prosperous society.

– Srishti Arora
Photo: Pixabay

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The KIND Fund in Malawi

 

The KIND Fund in MalawiAccording to the World Bank, Malawi is ranked as the fourth poorest country globally. Approximately 70% of the population lives on less than $3 a day and this income level has remained unchanged since 2010, despite a steadily increasing population. Moreover, at least 50% of households in Malawi lack adults with completed education. Education plays a crucial role in helping a country combat poverty in the long term. Malawi only implemented free public schooling in 1994, significantly improving children’s attendance rates. However, as of 2021, the country still faces one of the highest dropout rates in the world, estimated at 84% and the KIND fund has been fighting for children’s education in Malawi.

The KIND Fund

In a developing country like Malawi, children attend classes on the ground, similar to a pre-school. As the children grow older, this arrangement becomes less practical for an advanced learning environment. The children have to balance paper on their knees to write. Since soap is expensive in Malawi, kids skip school if they dislike being seen in dirty clothes after a week of sitting on the ground. This is particularly true for girls who prefer to miss several school days rather than spend all day on the dirty ground during their periods and having to jump up and down to answer questions.

The KIND Fund, short for Kids in Need of Desks, was created by MSNBC reporter Lawrence O’Donnell and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 2010 to provide desks to all ages of schoolchildren in Malawi. Since 2010, the program has raised $38 million to help kids get desks and school supplies. The provision of desks not only yields tangible benefits such as improved penmanship but also enhances the overall attitude of children towards school.

Scholarships for Girls

Desks are not the only focus of the KIND Fund. KIND also provides secondary scholarships for girls to move forward in their education. A scholarship package from them will fund a girl’s tuition, boarding, transport and school supplies fees and include everything from socks to mentorship at school. The program has provided scholarships to more than 27000 girls across Malawi.

Keeping girls in school, even until age 18, is a small win against child marriage, a serious problem in developing countries. About 47% of women are married before age 18 in Malawi. The KIND fund conducted interviews with girls, posing the question of what they would do without the scholarship. Fifteen-year-old Happiness Ndawu responded, “Here in Malawi, girls marry at early ages. So, at 15, maybe I would have been married by now.” Happiness aspires to become a journalist. Being in school has protected her from potential domestic violence, risky pregnancies and other challenges that child brides often encounter. It has also opened her eyes to the potential she possesses.

Conclusion

Education plays a crucial role in lifting a country out of poverty, serving as one of the most essential pathways for socioeconomic advancement. When people think about education, they often take things like furniture and supplies for granted, items that other countries lack. A well-made desk can last decades and serve dozens of children over generations.

– Varsha Pai
Photo: Flickr

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The Fourth Revolution – Cambodia’s Digital Innovation

Cambodia’s Fourth Revolution- The Age of Digital InnovationPrime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia at the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly in September 2023 stated “My government is committed to taking transformative actions…The five key priorities are people, roads, water, electricity and technology – especially digital technology to address the fourth industrial revolution and digital transformation of Cambodia’s economy.” Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of Cambodia’s digital innovation and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

History and Economic Situation

With a tumultuous history of civil war, political unrest and economic instability under the regime of the Khmer Rouge, the Kingdom of Cambodia has tackled the aftermath of genocide with years of widespread poverty and injustice. Within the last two decades, however, Cambodia has developed exponentially, sustaining an annual economic increase of approximately 8% between 1998 and 2019, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

While this indicates Cambodia’s desire to leave history in the past, radical socioeconomic transformation is being implemented through the government’s Pentagonal Strategy to achieve the U.N. SDGs by 2030 and high-income status by 2050.

Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy

For the first time in two decades, Cambodia’s economy contracted at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In response, the nation has pledged to diversify its economy through the implementation of phase one of its Pentagonal Strategy. This plan focuses on growth, employment, equity, efficiency and sustainability. A cornerstone of Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is to roll out initiatives at the local level. These initiatives aim to encourage Cambodia’s digital innovation and entrepreneurship, modernizing the rural landscape and paving the way for a more resilient and diverse economic future.

Cambodia has made remarkable strides in reducing poverty, cutting the rate of those living in multidimensional poverty from 36.7% to 16.6% in recent years. Despite these achievements, a significant gap persists between rural and urban areas, positioning Cambodia at the brink of transitioning from least developed country (LDC) status. In the country’s poorest regions, many people still depend on subsistence farming for their livelihoods, with agriculture comprising 39% of total employment in 2021. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges and the critical need for targeted development strategies to bridge the urban-rural divide and foster sustainable economic growth across all communities.

This government incentive has created significant opportunities for technological development, positioning Cambodia’s startup and tech ecosystems as some of the fastest-growing markets. When startup enterprises and technological advancements receive adequate resources, they can profoundly impact rural communities. Here are two examples of initiatives that leverage digital technology to fuel Cambodia’s fourth industrial revolution, demonstrating the potential for innovation to drive sustainable development and economic growth in even the most remote areas.

Tap Effect

According to a report given by the World Bank in 2022, only 29% of Cambodia’s population has access to safely managed drinking water. Tap Effect is a Cambodian-based tech startup and social enterprise providing clean and affordable water to underserved rural and semi-rural communities. Tap Effect’s mission is to bridge systemic barriers often associated with clean water such as expensive set-up and maintenance costs by overseeing the entire value chain from installation to remote management. Their ethos views water supply as an ongoing process rather than a one-off installation, with their pioneering model combining technology, engineering and finance.

One water system can sustain up to 10,000 households while ‘Internet of Things’ technology allows for remote monitoring. Tap Effect’s first project, completed in 2020, covered the communes of Kouk Ballangk and Sambuor and provided clean and affordable water access to 19 villages and more than 14,000 people, including 12 schools and two health care facilities.

The BlocRice Project

The BlockChain project BlocRice was pioneered in Cambodia by Oxfam in partnership with Amru Rice, the largest producer and exporter of organic rice in Cambodia. The BlocRice project’s vision aims to bring greater representation to organic rice farmers in Preah Vihear Province who experience a living income gap of 31%. BlocRice introduces an app that enhances the connection between rural farmers and international exporters, offering a platform for farmers to access information about price fluctuations and the international value chain.

Historically, many farmers have lacked the knowledge and resources to negotiate effectively with middlemen, often resulting in underpayment and continued poverty. By implementing blockchain strategies, the BlocRice project aims to ensure transparency and traceability throughout the production chain. It provides digital access to contracts and payments, helping to prevent the exploitation of farmers in rural areas and promoting fair trade practices. This initiative represents a significant step toward empowering Cambodia’s agricultural sector in the global marketplace.

A Digital Future

Cambodia’s march toward a digital future sheds light on its dynamic socioeconomic and political landscape. Concentrating on bridging the rural-urban divide, the successful implementation of the Pentagonal Strategy will bolster Cambodia’s economy through collaboration with stakeholders, private and public investors. Additionally, closing the technology gap empowers the most vulnerable—those living in poverty—by leveraging digital solutions to foster a more equitable and sustainable future. This approach not only strengthens the national economy but also ensures that technological advancements benefit all segments of society, paving the way for inclusive growth and development.

– Zoe Winterfeldt
Photo: Flickr