Research Paper

A Child's Education

"In the country of Niger they suffer a humanitarian crisis, which causes the country to suffer with less than 10% funding going to support the educational needs of their poorest children (CGD Editors, 2018). Poverty causes these children to not be able to afford continuing, or even starting, an educational path. In comparison to the United State’s 98% rate of finishing primary school, there was an alarmingly low rate of only 30% for the entirety of Niger (CGD Editors, 2006). This rate is the equivalent education distribution as the United States had in the year 1776. The overall literacy rate for Niger is categorized into one of the lowest internationally. As this issue consumes Niger, it also creates crises to neighboring countries. Even in the country of Liberia “approximately 80 percent of schools were destroyed in the 1989–1997 civil war, and the 2003 war caused further conflict. Now, fewer than 15 percent of teachers hold professional qualifications,” (Save the Children, 2006)...But destruction of schools and economic systems leaves many children to never develop the proper skills, nor capabilities to move forward in life."

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Connection:

It was inevitable that my research paper was going to relate to the international conditions that affect how children receive education. Since the only education I have known is the one the United States has provided, there was curiosity how other countries taught. This U.S. education is the education that I fell in love with. The ability to go to school, have breakfast and lunch, enter a class and learn different subjects, and even have a recess. Then came the harsh reality of different environments pushing for different education, if any at all. My capstone is to inform people about the value of having an education, but in order for people to value something, they have to see what it is like to not have it in their lives. In my research paper I explored different countries like Niger and how they deal with providing children an education. Within the selected paragraph, especially, it is mentioned how poverty and war gives no option for schooling. Living in the U.S. I have never had to experience severe financial nor conflict issues that prevented me to go to school. I am capable enough to go to school and have teachers bring up lesson plans, unfortunately that isn’t the case everywhere. In SMSA, there are dozens of kids whose parents came for better education, yet many of them don't realize how bad it is everywhere else and good they have it. Every child, no matter their country, deserves an equal education. But before any change occurs, people need to be educated on the lack of education. I worked towards informing people about this for my capstone, because someday there will be a push for equal education. When I presented to the kids in my own school, they seemed unaware of different conditions in the world. Many paid high attention when I expressed how difficult it was for girls, especially, to receive any form of education. I recall when I presented to a sophomore class, the looks I saw when I mentioned that 60% of young girls in Afghanistan don't get an education. They looked as if they had seen a ghost. Then at the end of the presentation, they clapped. But they clapped and it felt meaningful. Rather than clapping to be polite, I truly felt that their eyes were opened to a new side to everything. In order for things to change, it all needs to start with awareness.