There is a difference between literacy and education that many people ignore. Literacy is knowing how to read and write. It’s the quality or state of being literate (Webster’s definition). Education is to be able to reason, to use your ability to read and write to your benefit and the benefit of others. It is the action or process of educating or of being educated (Webster’s definition). Somehow, even if we know about all the benefits education has, the dilema about education continues to exist in our society.
Education
Education is fundamental to our progress. Education facilitates our learning, knowledge, and skills. It completely changes our minds and personalities.
This being said the reality of education is not a shiny one. It has many problems, not only in the structural sense but also in the interest of people to receive and give proper education. Many nations around the world have understood and adopted the need for education to achieve sustainability (economically, politically, and socially).
However progress in this arena is like a wave, it comes and goes. There are several reasons why this occurs. In some cases, a lack of vision or awareness has prevented progress. In others, it is a lack of policy or funding.
Situation in Colombia
Despite the many advances in the education arena in the past years, Colombia has many goals to achieve for all children to have access to schooling and quality education.
In other words, the work can and shouldn’t stop in regards to expanding and improving the quality of education.
Despite many reforms, regular government reviews and ongoing calls for change, progress in addressing our most significant challenges is slow and solutions continue to get away from us. And, we, as a society, are well aware of the challenges.
Generally speaking, these changes have a political starting point, but that is never enough. The real change takes place with a deep-rooted transformation in our cultural structures, that more often than not are obsolete. This will ensure that the educational progress has true meaning not only in regards to the quantity but to the quality.
A political response is sometimes not enough. However, real reform and significant progress in improving the quality and equity of schooling depend on tackling our deepest and most stubborn educational challenges.
Meaning of being a teacher
Perhaps, one challenge is raising the meaning of being a teacher. We all take them for granted. But, we ignore the fact that they are shaping our futures with valuable information. We need to attract more able people into teaching and to develop teaching as a knowledge-based profession.
When it comes to influencing a kid, teachers have an important role after parents. Students are to be handled with affection. Furthermore, student’s points of view must always be considered.
It is paramount to understand that teachers play a key role in education and also in student’s life.
A person with proper vision and teaching experience can help shape someone’s future and life. Teaching is a greater responsibility than a mere job. It has an impact on the growth and well-being of the nation.
Needed change
School curriculums should also change. The purpose should be to prepare boys and girls for the current world and its continued changes.
Today’s world has drastically changed in the last five decades. Just thinking of all the changes that have taken place in the past twenty years is mind-blowing. And the pace of change is accelerating. Globalization makes everything go faster. There are so many advances in technology, communications and social networking. And the access to information is increasing. It’s like an explosion of knowledge.
I guess another challenge could be to provide more flexible learning arrangements in schools to to meet the needs of individual learners.
All children must have teachers who are well-trained, and motivated, can identify weak learners or problems a student may have, and are supported by well-managed education systems.
Furthermore, I think it’s primordial to identify the needs of children concerning their learning abilities and methods.
Not every child learns in the same manner, it’s absurd to think that they do. And, the fact that some are more suited for certain subjects does not mean that the other kids are less intelligent.
When countries are in the midst of a conflict, in many cases children are forced out of school. In return, the amount of drop out students increases. Needless to say, education promotes stability and is a sign of normalcy for children.
Educated girls and women tend to be healthier, have fewer children, earn more income, and provide better health care for themselves and their future children.
Education is a right
In many countries, a combination of discrimination, social attitudes, poverty, and lack of political will, leave children with disabilities excluded from education. This being said, it is indispensable that societies merge and make their education systems better to ensure that these children can enjoy their basic human rights without discrimination of any kind.
We all talk about education but in many cases, these are only words. People forget that education is a human right and as such a vital one. Despite great progress in the last few years, millions of children are still denied their right to education.
Limited access to education is one of the most certain ways of transmitting poverty from generation to generation. Every girl and every boy should have the right to a quality education so that they can have more chances in life.
This does not mean that must be private or expensive, it means that every child has the right to basic education to further their possibilities in life. School education plays a great role in everyone’s life. Knowledge gained throughout the education period opens various doors.
Education reduces poverty, boosts economic growth, and increases income. It can promote gender equality. Investing in quality early childhood education gives the best outcomes. Education is one of the most important investments a country can make in its people and its future.
