Parenting Guide

Heal the World with Education

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Feb 05, 2021

Everyone knows that education is important. It has been recognised as a human right in many countries and international conventions, including the United Nations, in which the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) laid out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development were adopted by 193 countries. Goal number 4 emphasises a quality education for all which affirms a right to free and compulsory primary and secondary education, following a target to eliminate all discrimination in education, making it inclusive of those with disabilities.

We know that education is important for an individual. However, we’re not just talking about the things our children learn at school. This article goes to show that educating your child about being a better citizen can go a long way. By introducing them to certain concepts, we can help broaden their horizons and increase their sense of social responsibility

Are you wondering how to teach your children about the concept of education and how it can benefit and change the world? Read on!

Gender Inequality: A Real Barrier

Photo by Jacinda Ardern on Facebook

Do you know that many underprivileged women are unable to get proper education due to gender inequality? The notion that sons are more rightful to education than daughters is causing a downfall to young girls and their potential. The inability to read and write would prevent them from recognising their rights from a young age, which eventually puts them at a great disadvantage as they grow older.

Giving proper education to underprivileged girls would help them avoid many physical and social risks. Women who receive proper education are at lower risk of poor maternal health and sexually transmitted diseases. According to the United Nations, children whose mothers are educated are 50% more likely to survive past age 5. Educated mothers will strive to give the best quality of life to their children with the knowledge that they have.

There have been many women who contributed significantly to science and societal progression. Based on research done by Harvard Business Review, women leaders, with their emotional intelligence, are better at handling the COVID-19 crisis. Leading the country with compassion and class, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern has been hailed around the world as one of the most successful world leaders for her efforts in battling the coronavirus. With equal education, more men and women alike can arm themselves with the power to change the world. For all you know, you might be raising the next Jacinda Ardern.

Check out A Mighty Girl to help teach your kids about the importance of gender equality. They have many interesting resources that promote leadership and strong female role models.

Put an End to Extreme Poverty Through Reading

Photo by Ismail Salad Hajji dirir on Unsplash

There are millions of impoverished children across the world today whose education has never been an option due to financial difficulties. This pandemic has made it harder for those children. Unable to join in online distance learning which requires a functioning gadget and strong internet connection, many of them are not able to finish primary school, and even worse, they are forced to drop out of school. As a result, a large population of children are illiterate, and many of these young people are not equipped with the necessary tools for a successful life, making it harder for them to break the cycle of poverty.

You must be wondering, how can education help to end extreme poverty? Well, education and poverty are inversely related—the better the education, the less poverty there is. According to the Global Partnership for Education, 171 million people could be saved from poverty if children were taught basic reading skills. This basic reading skill is important as children are quick to absorb information and therefore it is only right that we provide them with quality education from a young age.

Moreover, people with higher education can get higher-paying jobs and afford necessary facilities. When education is accessible to all, the economy grows positively and there are less people who lack the necessities to thrive. Doubtlessly, education can be a great tool to eradicate extreme poverty. UNICEF has asked kids what they think of poverty and you could do the same with your kids. A simple question of “What do you think of poverty?” would be a great start to your next move in teaching them about poverty.

A Sustainable Planet is Now Possible

Photo by The New York Times

With good education, humanity has advanced massively over the years. We have technology that our ancestors don’t. However, our great inventions have caused damage to our planet. For example, plastic, a widely-used man-made material, lacks the ability to decay and is therefore a main factor in water pollution and aquatic creature deaths. Moreover, there is a risk of overpopulation on the planet— more people means that  more resources are being depleted at a faster rate.

As education has helped mankind evolve, it can be an instrument to save the planet. With good education, people can be made aware of the effects of pollution and unsustainable living, and with that knowledge people have the ability to make more sustainable decisions, change their behaviour and values, and work towards preserving the world for future generations to come.

How can you teach these values to your kids? You can start by bringing a shopping bag of your own to the grocery store and explain to your kids the importance of reusable, eco-friendly bags. Greta Thunberg, an 18-year-old Swedish is an environmental activist who has been actively challenging world leaders to approve policies that tackle climate change. From the age of 15, she has been demonstrating outside of the Swedish parliament. Soon, many others followed suit. It all began with awareness and a placard. Now, she is well-respected by millions of people for her courage and determination to save the planet.

It is important that your kids know the importance of education and its benefits, because being informed will make them better citizens and that is truly what will bring us a better tomorrow. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.