Sakharov Prize to award the Human Rights Defenders

Written by Irina Popova 

What is it? 

Every year since 1988, the European Union’s highest tribute to human rights the Sakharov Prize is awarded in Strasbourg. This honorary prize is dedicated to those who have devoted their lives to defending freedom of thought and fundamental human rights. It is granted to individuals, groups, and even organizations. The recipients of the Sakharov Prize are not always professional human rights advocates; they have included mothers, wives, dissidents, cartoonists, filmmakers, and long-serving prisoners of conscience. Through this award, their courage and commitment to justice are recognized and celebrated on a global stage.i

The Sakharov Prize was intended to be awarded annually to a study or work addressing one of the following areas: (i) the development of East-West relations in the light of the Helsinki Final Act15, (ii) protection of freedom of scientific inquiry, (iii) defense of human rights, (iv) government practices in the light of the letter of Constitutions. ii Along with the honor and recognition, the prize also includes a monetary award of 50,000 euros, for those those who have stood  for human justice. 

History: 

The award is named after Andrei Sakharov (1921–1989), a renowned Soviet physicist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate honored in 1975. Although he worked on the development of nuclear weapons for the Soviet Union, he became widely recognized for his commitment to political activism and the defense of human rights. iii 

In 1948, as a promising young physicist, he joined the Soviet Atomic Bomb Project. Patriotic Sakharov believed in the importance of breaking America’s monopoly on nuclear weapons. However, he soon learned about the devastating danger of the atomic bomb and the consequences of the nuclear arms race and tried to raise awareness about it. Andrei Sakharov became a political activist and a big critic of Soviet power. In 1967 he wrote a letter to Soviet authorities asking them to accept the US proposal to abandon their antimissile defenses, however, it was ignored by the Soviet leaders. For his efforts, Andrei Sakharov was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975 “for his struggle for human rights in the Soviet Union, for disarmament and cooperation between all nations.”  Even after receiving the prize, he continued to make statements to the West and criticize the Soviet system. The authorities were furious, about Sakharov’s political activity, and in 1980 he was arrested and exiled to Gorky city. iv He was kept under Soviet surveillance between 1980 and 1986. Even then he tried to keep up the contact with the West and continue his human rights work. Soon, after his release in 1987, European Parliament established the “Prize for the Freedom of Thought”. Lord Nicholas Bethell a deputy of the European Parliament asked Andrei Sakharov to allow his name to be used for the prize, which Sakharov accepted. v 

 

How is it Happening? 

Each year, nominations open in September, and each chosen candidate for the prize needs support from at least 40 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). An MEP can only support one nominee. After nominations, committees on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, and Development review and select three finalists for the prize. The winner is decided by the Conference of Presidents, which includes the Parliament’s President and leaders of political groups. After that, the winner is announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December in Strasbourg.vi 

 

Why is it important? Conclusion 

The Sakharov Prize highlights people who risk their lives and liberties to protect human rights and justice. Recognizing their efforts honors their bravery while also amplifying their voices on a worldwide scale. The prize offers moral and political support, encouraging honorees to continue their important work to help people. It reminds the world of the universal principles of liberty, equality, and human dignity. Inspired by Andrei Sakharov’s legacy, the prize is a powerful symbol of resistance to injustice and a call to protect human rights worldwide. 

Featured Photo by Elyssa DeDios on Unsplash

सोमालिया में शैक्षिक चुनौतियां

 

बेलिस हिरवा द्वारा लिखित

boy in blue and white plaid shirt reading book

इस्माइल सलाद उस्मान हाजी दिरिर द्वारा अनसप्लैश पर फोटो।

 

सोमालिया, पूर्व में सोमालीलैंड, जिसकी राजधानी मोगादिशु है, अफ्रीका के सींग में स्थित एक छोटा सा देश है। पिछले कुछ वर्षों से सोमालिया अंतरराज्यीय संघर्षों में शामिल रहा है। उदाहरण के लिए, कुलवाद और कबीले के मतभेद सोमाली लोगों को विभाजित करने के लिए उपयोग किए जाने वाले संघर्ष का एक मुख्य स्रोत हैं, जिसमें संसाधनों और शक्ति पर ईंधन संघर्ष शामिल हैं। इन मतभेदों का उपयोग मिलिशिया को जुटाने के लिए भी किया गया है, और व्यापक आधार पर सुलह को प्राप्त करना बहुत मुश्किल है। इसके परिणामस्वरूप राजनीतिक नेता अपने उद्देश्यों के लिए कुलवाद में हेरफेर करते हैं। कोई भी उभरती हुई सरकार सोमाली लोगों के बीच एक सफल शांतिपूर्ण सह-अस्तित्व स्थापित करने में सक्षम नहीं रही है। यह ध्यान दिया गया है कि अधिकांश समुदायों में उन्होंने एक शांतिपूर्ण राज्य को पुनः प्राप्त करने के लिए अपने स्वयं के पारंपरिक शांति साधन स्थापित किए हैं जो काफी महत्वपूर्ण रहा है। इन चुनौतियों ने देश में शिक्षा के लिए गंभीर चिंता पैदा कर दी है। विशेष रूप से, शिक्षा तक पहुंच के संबंध में देश के सामने आने वाली कुछ चुनौतियों पर नीचे चर्चा की गई है।

आतंकवाद

अल-शबाब का गठन सोमालिया में अनुभव की गई शैक्षिक चुनौतियों में एक प्रमुख योगदानकर्ता है। आतंकवादी समूह सोमालिया के कई युवा नागरिकों से बना है जिन्हें स्कूलों में छात्र होना चाहिए। युद्ध के दौरान, अल-शबाब इन युवाओं को अग्रिम पंक्ति में भेजता है जहां उन्हें बहुत कम प्रशिक्षण की पेशकश के कारण उन्हें आसानी से मार दिया जाता है। इसके अलावा, जल्दी विवाह और किशोर गर्भावस्था के परिणामस्वरूप बलात्कार के मामले भी उत्पन्न होते हैं। कुल मिलाकर, आतंकवाद सोमालिया में शिक्षा प्रणाली को प्रभावित करता है।

बार-बार युद्ध और भीड़भाड़ वाली कक्षाएं

सोमाली छात्रों की एक अन्य मुख्य समस्या भीड़भाड़ वाली कक्षाओं की समस्या है। यहाँ तक कि भाग्यशाली लोग जो स्कूल जाते हैं, वे भी वास्तव में इसका पूरा लाभ नहीं उठा सकते। भीड़भाड़ वाले स्थानों में गुणवत्तापूर्ण शिक्षा प्राप्त करना वास्तव में कठिन है, लेकिन इससे भी अधिक समस्याएं हैं। 1991 के गृहयुद्ध की वजह से लगातार होने वाले गृहयुद्ध सोमालिया में खराब शिक्षा प्रणाली का कारण बने हैं। विभिन्न स्थानों पर विस्थापन के कारण स्कूलों में वापस जाने वाले छात्रों के लिए यह एक झटका है। इस प्रक्रिया में छात्र भी, जब उनकी कक्षाओं पर हमला किया गया तो उन्होंने अपनी स्कूली शिक्षा के सामान खो दिए, जिससे उनके लिए अपनी शिक्षा जारी रखना मुश्किल हो जाता है।

कोविड-19 से जुड़ी चुनौतियां

कोविड-19 का पता सबसे पहले चीन के वुहान में चला था और बाद में यह दुनिया के अधिकांश हिस्सों में फैल गया। अफ्रीका बड़े पैमाने पर प्रभावित हुआ था। सोमालिया में अभी भी ऐसी चुनौतियां हैं जहां वायरस का आगमन छात्रों की दैनिक गतिविधियों को प्रभावित कर रहा है। विशेष रूप से उच्च शिक्षा विभागों में जहां छात्रों ने ऑनलाइन शिक्षा को अपनाया था, इसलिए इन संस्थानों में छात्रों की उपस्थिति असमान और भ्रमित है। कुल मिलाकर, यह अनुभव की गुणवत्ता को प्रभावित करता है जो छात्र स्कूलों से बाहर निकलने में सक्षम हैं।

असुरक्षा

सोमालिया एक ऐसा देश है जो पिछले 3 दशकों से लगातार अंतर-सुरक्षा समस्याओं का सामना कर रहा है। इसने न केवल सोमाली लोगों के प्रवासन फार्मूले को प्रभावित किया है, बल्कि उनकी शिक्षा प्रणाली को भी काफी हद तक प्रभावित किया है। बंद सड़कें, विस्फोट और हिंसा सामान्य कारक हैं जो छात्रों की मुक्त आवाजाही में बाधा डालते हैं और ये परिणाम उन परिवारों के लिए हैं जो बच्चों को पास के स्कूलों में भेजते हैं, चाहे उन स्कूलों में दी जाने वाली शिक्षा की गुणवत्ता कुछ भी हो, ये सभी अपने बच्चों की सुरक्षा को प्राथमिकता देने के लिए हैं। इसके अलावा, शिक्षक भी प्रभावित होते हैं क्योंकि अप्रत्याशित हमलों के कारण उन्हें मुश्किल से वेतन मिलता है। शिक्षकों को मिलने वाला वेतन भी सीमित है।

माता-पिता के मार्गदर्शन और भाषा की बाधा का अभाव

सोमालिया में कई माता-पिता के पास मुश्किल से औपचारिक शिक्षा है और इस तरह, वे अपने बच्चों को स्कूली कार्य के संबंध में उचित मार्गदर्शन और समर्थन नहीं दे सकते हैं। भाषा की बाधा भी एक और समस्या है जिसका सामना सोमाली करते हैं, और यह शिक्षकों, माता-पिता और छात्रों के लिए एक चुनौती बनी हुई है। अरबी और सोमाली आधिकारिक भाषाएँ हैं, इसलिए, ऐसे मामले में जहां अधिकांश पाठ्यपुस्तकें अंग्रेजी भाषा में हैं, एक भाषा बाधा समस्या उत्पन्न होगी।

अपर्याप्त शिक्षण कार्यक्रम और एकरूपता की कमी

अधिकांश विद्यालयों में अपर्याप्त शिक्षण कार्यक्रम हैं जो व्यावहारिक शिक्षा प्रदान किए बिना केवल सैद्धांतिक शिक्षा को पूरा करते हैं। सोमालिया में, अधिकांश छात्रों को व्यावहारिक अनुभव के बिना सिद्धांत का अनुभव मिलता है। इसके परिणामस्वरूप अधिकांश विषयों का अपर्याप्त ज्ञान होता है। इसी तरह के पाठ्यक्रम की कमी भी एक और चुनौती है जो देश की शिक्षा प्रणाली को प्रभावित कर रही है।

शैक्षिक बेईमानी और भ्रष्टाचार

सोमालिया में शिक्षकों के बीच भ्रष्टाचार के व्यापक प्रसार की खबरें हैं। इसमें नए छात्रों के प्रवेश के लिए रिश्वत की मांग करने वाले शिक्षकों के मामले शामिल हैं, झूठे दस्तावेज प्रस्तुत करना उदाहरणस्‍वरूप प्रमाण पत्र, और पदोन्नति प्राप्त करने के लिए रिश्वत देना। भाई-भतीजावाद के मुद्दे सहित भ्रष्टाचार के ये सभी कार्य सोमालिया में शिक्षा के लिए चुनौतियां पेश करते हैं।

वित्तीय अस्थिरता

सोमालिया में कई नागरिक कठोर सुरक्षा साधनों के कारण आईडीपी के रूप में रह रहे हैं। नतीजतन, वे स्कूल या ट्यूशन शुल्क, परिवहन, वर्दी और किताबों का भुगतान नहीं कर सकते हैं। अधिकांश कम विशेषाधिकार प्राप्त लोगों पर ध्यान नहीं दिया जाता है और उनकी शिक्षा तक पहुंच नहीं है।

सिफारिशें 

  1. सोमालिया ने जिन क्षेत्रीय गुटों की सदस्यता हासिल की है, उन्हें अल-शबाब के विकास को कम करने के लिए हर तरह से सोमालिया का समर्थन करना चाहिए, जो देश में शिक्षा के लिए खतरा बना हुआ है।
  2. स्वास्थ्य मंत्रालय और शिक्षा मंत्रालय को कोविड-19 के लिए नियमित परीक्षणों के लिए सहयोग करना चाहिए क्योंकि यह अभी भी देश के भीतर है। नियमित जांच और उपयुक्त सामग्री के वितरण के माध्यम से, स्कूलों में वायरस के संकट पर अंकुश लगाया जा सकता है।
  3. सोमालिया की सरकार को निम्न स्तर से लेकर शिक्षा के तृतीयक स्तर तक की कक्षाओं के लिए और अधिक स्थान तैयार करने चाहिए। इससे छोटी जगहों पर कक्षाओं में भाग लेने वाले छात्रों की संख्या कम हो जाएगी।
  4. विशेष रूप से शैक्षणिक संस्थानों में सुरक्षा महत्वपूर्ण है। सोमालिया की सरकार को सभी स्तरों पर कड़ी सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करनी चाहिए। इससे माता-पिता अपने बच्चों को स्कूल ले जाने के लिए प्रेरित होंगे। स्कूलों, शिक्षकों और छात्रों की सुरक्षा के लिए विशेष सुरक्षा व्यवस्था की जानी चाहिए।
  5. माता-पिता के अपने शिक्षकों से लगातार मिलने के माध्यम से माता-पिता-शिक्षक संबंध को आगे बढ़ाया जाना चाहिए, इसके परिणामस्वरूप छात्रों का आपसी विकास और संबंध होगा। अभिभावक-शिक्षक संघों के निर्माण को भी अत्यधिक प्रोत्साहित किया जाना चाहिए।
  6. छात्रों, विशेष रूप से माध्यमिक विद्यालयों के छात्रों को कुछ प्रमुख विषयों के सिद्धांत और व्यावहारिक पहलुओं के ज्ञान से अवगत कराया जाना चाहिए (विज्ञान) । स्कूलों को उपलब्ध व्यावहारिक उपकरणों की सटीक संख्या से छात्रों को प्रवेश देने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध होना चाहिए। प्रभावशीलता के लिए व्यावहारिक अध्ययन भी बहुत नियमित आधार पर पढ़ाए जाने चाहिए।
  7. सोमालिया सरकार में शिक्षक प्रशिक्षण संस्थानों को शिक्षकों की क्षमता का निर्माण करने के लिए इसी तरह के बोर्ड के तहत काम करना चाहिए।
  8. सोमालिया की शिक्षा प्रणालियों में पर्याप्त धन दिया जाना चाहिए। सरकार को दान और वितरण में संलग्न होना चाहिए, उदाहरण के लिए पाठ्यपुस्तकों और व्यायाम पुस्तकों का। सरकार को नए स्कूलों के निर्माण और उन स्कूलों के पुनर्निर्माण के लिए भी प्रतिबद्ध होना चाहिए जो हमले का शिकार हुए हैं।

 

संदर्भ

  1. अहमद, एच., अलाफ, एम., और एल्गाज़ली, एच. (2020). कोविड-19 और चिकित्सा शिक्षा। द लैंसेट संक्रामक रोग, 20,777-778।
  2. बाओ, डब्ल्यू। (2020). कोविड-19 और उच्च शिक्षा में ऑनलाइन शिक्षणः पेकिंग विश्वविद्यालय का एक केस स्टडी। मानव व्यवहार और उभरती प्रौद्योगिकियां, 2,113-115।
  3. बार्रे, ए. जी. (2020). सोमालिया शिक्षा क्षेत्र कोविड-19 प्रतिक्रिया योजना।
  4. अब्दिफताह अब्दियाज़ीज़ दही
  5. कोविड-19 की तैयारी और प्रतिक्रिया पर सोमालिया शिक्षा क्लस्टर टिप्पणी 11 (2020).
  6. कवर फोटो- इस्माइल सलाद उस्मान हाजी दिरिर द्वारा अनसप्लैश पर फोटो।

दक्षिण सूडान में शैक्षिक चुनौतियां

 

हसन ए अबुसिम द्वारा लिखित

शिक्षा मानव अधिकारों में से एक है जो पीढ़ियों की निरंतरता और विकास की स्थिरता की गारंटी देता है और गरीबी चक्र को तोड़ने के लिए सबसे अच्छे उपकरणों में से एक है, क्योंकि यह समाज के निर्माण और पुनर्जागरण के लिए बुनियादी मूल निर्माण खंड है। एक ऐसे देश के लिए शिक्षा की चुनौतियां जिसने हाल ही में अपनी स्वतंत्रता (2011) प्राप्त की – दुनिया का सबसे नया राष्ट्र, और (नाजुक राज्य सूचकांक) पर 2 वें स्थान पर है, बेहद कठिन और जटिल हैं। आगोक प्राइमरी स्कूल, अबीई। ग्लोबल केयर द्वारा फोटो।

आगोक प्राइमरी स्कूल, अबीई। ग्लोबल केयर द्वारा फोटो।

दक्षिण सूडान के लिए क्या चुनौतियां हैं?

दक्षिण सूडान में, 6 से 17 वर्ष की आयु के 70% बच्चों ने कभी भी कक्षा में पैर नहीं रखा है। केवल 10% बच्चे प्राथमिक शिक्षा पूरी करते हैं-दुनिया में सबसे खराब पूर्णता दर में से एक। चौंकाने वाली बात यह है कि दक्षिण सूडान में एक लड़की के प्राथमिक शिक्षा पूरी करने की तुलना में प्रसव में मरने की संभावना अधिक होती है।

गुणवत्तापूर्ण शिक्षण कर्मचारियों की कमी और अपर्याप्त स्कूल भवन ऐसी चुनौतियां हैं जो अत्यधिक गरीबी को बढ़ाती हैं, क्योंकि परिवार अगले भोजन के लिए बेताब काम करते हैं।

यह इन गरीब समुदायों में मिलिशिया समूहों द्वारा लाई गई हिंसा और अशांति से और बढ़ जाता है। आजीविका के किसी अन्य स्रोत के अभाव में हर साल हजारों युवा मिलिशिया समूहों में शामिल होते हैं, जिससे विनाश का एक दुष्चक्र पैदा होता है।

शिक्षा प्रणाली

क्षेत्रीय दक्षिणी सूडान की पिछली शिक्षा प्रणाली के विपरीत-जिसे 1990 से सूडान गणराज्य में उपयोग की जाने वाली प्रणाली के बाद मॉडल किया गया था-दक्षिण सूडान गणराज्य की वर्तमान शिक्षा प्रणाली (8 + 4 + 4) प्रणाली का पालन करती है (जो केन्या के समान है)। प्राथमिक शिक्षा में आठ वर्ष, चार वर्ष की माध्यमिक शिक्षा और चार वर्ष का विश्वविद्यालय शिक्षा शामिल है।

सभी स्तरों पर शिक्षा का मुख्य माध्यम अंग्रेजी है, जबकि सूडान गणराज्य में शिक्षा का माध्यम अरबी है। 2007 में, दक्षिण सूडान ने अंग्रेजी को आधिकारिक संचार भाषा के रूप में अपनाया था। वैज्ञानिक और तकनीकी क्षेत्रों में अंग्रेजी शिक्षकों और अंग्रेजी बोलने वाले शिक्षकों की गंभीर कमी है।

शिक्षा विकास योजना

2010 में, दक्षिण सूडान विकास योजना (2011-13) ने अपने दो शिक्षा मंत्रालयों के माध्यम से “द एजुकेशन रिकंस्ट्रक्शन डेवलपमेंट फोरम” नामक एक सम्मेलन का आयोजन किया। दक्षिण सूडान के शैक्षिक बुनियादी ढांचे में मौलिक समस्याओं के बारे में एक राष्ट्रीय संवाद बनाने के उद्देश्य से सम्मेलन का इच्छित प्रभाव “दक्षिण सूडान विकास योजना (2011-13)” नहीं था। हालांकि, दक्षिण सूडान में एक निरंतर स्थिति शिक्षकों और छात्रों के बीच एक महत्वपूर्ण लिंग अंतर है। यह तथ्य कि अधिकांश शिक्षक पुरुष हैं, महिला शिक्षकों की लगभग अनुपस्थिति महिला छात्रों को विशेष रूप से हाशिए पर डालती है।
इसके अलावा, 300 से 1 के हाई स्कूल छात्र-शिक्षक अनुपात का मतलब है कि सीखना अनिवार्य रूप से भीड़भाड़ वाली कक्षाओं में होता है। लाइब्रेरियन, स्कूल काउंसलर, और मनोवैज्ञानिक जैसे सहायक स्टाफ की कमी स्पष्ट है, जो कई शैक्षिक प्रणालियों में एक अनिवार्य हिस्सा हैं और विशेष रूप से विशेष आवश्यकताओं वाले बच्चों के लिए महत्वपूर्ण हैं। दक्षिण सूडान में प्राथमिक से लेकर विश्वविद्यालय स्तर तक शिक्षकों और छात्रों दोनों के लिए कंप्यूटर जैसी आधुनिक तकनीक का भी अभाव है।

परिवहन प्रणाली में चुनौतियां

ग्रामीण और शहरी क्षेत्रों में शैक्षिक असमानताएँ बनी हुई हैं। एक के लिए, सभी 120 माध्यमिक विद्यालय दक्षिण सूडान के शहरों में हैं। ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों के छात्र जो माध्यमिक शिक्षा प्राप्त करना चाहते हैं, उन्हें उच्च परिवहन लागत का सामना करना पड़ता है, जो कुछ छात्रों को कोशिश करने से भी रोकता है। यह चुनौती दूसरों पर बढ़ जाती है। उदाहरण के लिए, कई ग्रामीण दक्षिण सूडानी परिवार पशु-पालन में संलग्न हैं, जो स्कूली उम्र के बच्चों को मौसमी भिन्नताओं और आर्थिक दबावों के अनुसार पलायन करने के लिए मजबूर करता है।

शैक्षिक सुविधाओं में चुनौतियां

कई स्कूलों की इमारतें ध्वस्त हो गई हैं। 2013 में, दो प्रमुख राजनेताओं के बीच तनाव ने डिंका और नूअर जातीय जनजातियों के बीच लड़ाई को बढ़ावा दिया। उसके बाद हुए दो साल के गृहयुद्ध के दौरान हजारों लोग मारे गए और 20 लाख से अधिक लोग विस्थापित हो गए। इस बीच, 800 विद्यालय भवन नष्ट हो गए। जबकि 6,000 उपयोग करने योग्य बने रहे, उनमें से लगभग सभी महत्वपूर्ण शैक्षिक संसाधनों और बुनियादी ढांचे से वंचित हो गए। “कहीं और, उन्हें स्कूल नहीं कहा जाएगा। यह एक पेड़ और एक ब्लैकबोर्ड है”। (दक्षिण सूडान में यूनिसेफ के शिक्षा प्रमुख ने 2016 में एन. पी. आर. को बताया।)

दक्षिण सूडान में भीड़भाड़ वाली प्राथमिक कक्षा, जहां शिक्षक-छात्र अनुपात अंतरराष्ट्रीय मानदंडों से कहीं अधिक है और व्यक्तिगत समर्थन, समावेशी प्रथाओं या गुणवत्तापूर्ण शिक्षा के लिए बहुत कम उम्मीद है। विंडल ट्रस्ट इंटरनेशनल द्वारा ली गई तस्वीर।

कई लक्षित प्रतिभागियों से एक महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न पूछा गया था; “दक्षिण सूडान की स्वतंत्रता के बाद से, आप शिक्षा प्रणाली में सबसे अधिक दबाव वाली समस्या (ओं) के रूप में क्या देखते हैं?“

साक्षात्कारकर्ता द्वारा पूछे गए प्रमुख प्रश्न पर प्रतिभागियों की प्रतिक्रियाएँ निम्नानुसार हैंः

 

प्रतिभागी प्रतिभागी प्रतिक्रियाएँ
न्यूज़ रिपोर्टर “आज हमारे नए देश को प्रभावित करने वाली सबसे बड़ी समस्याओं में से एक विभिन्न जनजातियों के बीच निरंतर समस्याएं और प्रतिद्वंद्विता है जिसमें गंभीर हिंसा शामिल है और जिसने सरकार को पुलिस, सुरक्षा और सैन्य बलों को बहुत पैसा देने के लिए मजबूर किया है। ये समस्याएं इतनी गंभीर हैं कि सरकार के लिए हर दिन इस हद तक पूरी तरह से रुकना असामान्य नहीं है कि देश में कुछ भी काम नहीं करता है, न परिवहन प्रणाली, न दुकानें और बाजार, न स्कूल। मेरे लिए, जनजातीय समस्याएं, यदि हल नहीं की गईं, तो इस देश को नीचे लाएंगी। मुझे बच्चों के लिए बहुत बुरा लगता है क्योंकि, कभी-कभी, कोई भी उनकी देखभाल नहीं करता है, और उनमें से कई अपने अस्तित्व में योगदान करने की भावना के बिना जीवन में भटकने की संभावना रखते हैं।
“शिक्षा मंत्री के प्रतिनिधि #1” “दक्षिण सूडानी शैक्षिक प्रणाली में प्रमुख समस्या यह है कि हमारे पास अपने छात्रों और शिक्षकों (भीड़भाड़ वाली सुविधाओं) के लिए कोई भवन नहीं है। हम, सरकार, उन्हें धैर्य रखने के लिए कहते रहते हैं, लेकिन वे सब कुछ तुरंत चाहते हैं। यह हमारी स्वास्थ्य देखभाल प्रणाली, हमारी शरणार्थी समस्या, सूडान के साथ हमारी निरंतर समस्याओं और युद्ध से प्रभावित लोगों के मानसिक स्वास्थ्य जैसी अन्य महत्वपूर्ण प्राथमिकताओं वाला एक नया देश है। हमारे देश के कई नागरिकों को एक युद्ध से बहुत भावनात्मक निशान है जिसने सभी को आघात पहुंचाया। उन्हें खुद को भाग्यशाली समझना चाहिए कि हम उनकी मदद करना चाहते हैं। बहुत से लोग अनपढ़ हैं, खासकर बच्चों के माता-पिता, और नई सरकार के रूप में हमारे मिशन को नहीं समझते हैं। राष्ट्रपति बहुत कोशिश कर रहे हैं”
शिक्षा मंत्री के प्रतिनिधि #2 उन्होंने कहा, “हमारे राज्य और गांव में, हमें अपने स्कूलों के निर्माण के लिए धन देने का वादा किया जाता है क्योंकि बच्चे मुफ्त शिक्षा के अपने अधिकार से वंचित हैं। मानवाधिकारों की सार्वभौमिक घोषणा के अनुच्छेद 26 के तहत हर किसी को शिक्षा का अधिकार है, और दक्षिण सूडान के बच्चों को भी है। सबसे पहले, उत्तर के लोगों, सूडानी सरकार ने हमें धोखा दिया और दक्षिण में हमारी शिक्षा की कभी परवाह नहीं की, और अब, कभी-कभी ऐसा लगता है कि हमारी वर्तमान सरकार को परवाह नहीं है। बच्चे कैसे सीख सकते हैं जब स्कूल पत्ते से बने होते हैं और शिक्षकों को भुगतान नहीं मिलता है, या बच्चों को बिना किताबों के फर्श पर बैठना पड़ता है, और अक्सर बीमार होते हैं?

दक्षिण सूडान में शैक्षिक चुनौतियों पर चर्चा।

दक्षिण सूडान में शिक्षा प्रणाली के विकास के लिए सिफारिश में भारी मदद की आवश्यकता हैः

  • स्कूल प्रबंधन और शिक्षा अधिकारियों द्वारा निर्धारित प्राथमिकताओं के अनुसार ‘वापसी करने वाले’ स्कूलों को तत्काल सहायता दी जाए ।
  • एजेंसियां जुबा (दक्षिण सूडान की राजधानी) के बाहर स्कूलों का समर्थन करती हैं ताकि जुबा शहर में भीड़ को कम किया जा सके और महिला छात्रों को आकर्षित करने के लिए बोर्डिंग सुविधाएं प्रदान की जा सकें।
  • नामांकन और प्राप्ति में गुणवत्ता और भारी लिंग अंतर को दूर करने के लिए नीतियां स्थापित करने के लिए एजेंसियां शिक्षा अधिकारियों के साथ काम करती हैं।
  • अंग्रेजी भाषा की पाठ्य-पुस्तकों को विकसित करने और प्राप्त करने और गहन भाषा प्रशिक्षण प्रदान करने के लिए सहायता प्रदान की जाती है।
  • साक्षरता कार्यक्रम उन वयस्कों पर लक्षित किए जाएं जो शिक्षा से चूक गए हैं ताकि उन्हें इसके मूल्य के बारे में जागरूक किया जा सके और उन्हें लड़कियों सहित अपने बच्चों को स्कूल क्यों भेजना चाहिए।

निष्कर्ष

हमारी टिप्पणियों के परिणाम कि दक्षिण सूडान में वर्तमान शिक्षा प्रणाली संकट की स्थिति में बनी हुई है, और शायद अब और भी अधिक है क्योंकि देश एक गृह युद्ध में है। शिक्षा में उम्र और भूमिका के बावजूद, प्रतिभागियों ने निरंतर राजनीतिक संघर्ष, सरकार में अविश्वास और एक अराजक आर्थिक प्रणाली को शिक्षा की विफलता में योगदान के रूप में उद्धृत किया। एक विश्वसनीय परिवहन प्रणाली की अनुपस्थिति भी दक्षिण सूडान में शिक्षा प्रणाली को सीधे प्रभावित करती है; युवा स्कूल जाने के लिए परिवहन पर निर्भर हैं। प्रतिभागियों द्वारा उठाई गई अन्य समस्याओं में स्कूल भवनों की अनुपस्थिति और पुस्तकों, शिक्षण आपूर्ति और कंप्यूटर जैसे बुनियादी संसाधनों की कमी शामिल है। कुल मिलाकर, इस नए राष्ट्र के लिए काफी जरूरतें हैं और ये परिवारों में आर्थिक संसाधनों की कमी, स्कूली कर्मचारियों और प्रशासकों के बीच भ्रष्टाचार और भ्रष्टाचार, महिला छात्रों और शिक्षकों के हाशिए पर जाने और निरंतर शिक्षा के अधिकार सहित बुनियादी मानवाधिकारों से वंचित होने का परिणाम हैं।

 

संदर्भ

  • केयर, जी. (2023, July 24). दक्षिण सूडान परियोजना। ग्लोबल केयर ऑर्गनाइजेशन से लिया गयाः https://www.gobalcare.org/project/south-sudan /
  • डेलेगल, जे। (2019). दक्षिण सूडान में शिक्षा के बारे में 8 तथ्य बोर्गेन परियोजना।
  • जी., बी. (2011). दक्षिणी सूडान में शिक्षाः बेहतर भविष्य में निवेश। लंदन, इंग्लैंडः सेंटर फॉर यूनिवर्सल एजुकेशन, ब्रूकिंग्स इंस्टीट्यूट।
  • जॉन क्यूक, आर. जे. (2014). एक शिक्षा के लिए खतराः दक्षिण सूडान के मामले और उसके लोगों की आवाज़ों पर एक शोध निबंध। फोरम फॉर इंटरनेशनल रिसर्च इन एजुकेशन, 22-31
  • विकीपीडिया। (2023, July 26). दक्षिण सूडान। विकीपीडिया वेबसाइट से लिया गयाः https://en.wikpedia.org/wiki/South_Sudan

Los desafíos educativos en Paraguay: la desigualdad socioeconómica como obstáculo clave al progreso educativo

Introducción  

El Paraguay es un país sudamericano que contiene una población muy variada desde un punto de vista étnico y racial.  Numéricamente, más de la mitad de la población es mestiza, el 30 % es blanca, y casi el 3 % es indígena. Estas cifras son importantes para crear políticas que incluyan a todas las personas. 1 Otro factor importante en Paraguay es el papel de la religión en la sociedad. Segundo los datos de Latinobarometro, casi el 90 % de la población paraguaya es católica. Por consiguiente, la religión juega un papel muy fuerte en las decisiones y en el comportamiento ético de las personas. Las decisiones culturales basadas en la religión tienden a definir roles distintos entre los géneros y las razas. La población también se divide entre urbana y rural, con casi el 40 % de población rural y agrícola. Esto genera una diversidad de acciones que acentúan la desigualdad de género y los perjuicios asociados al destino de algunos grupos de la sociedad.  

Marcado por una secuencia de gobiernos autoritarios y complejos procesos de desarrollo,  Paraguay tiene inmensas desigualdades sociales reflejadas en la educación.  Estos factores son relevantes para analizar la situación educativa y los desafíos que el país enfrenta.  

Cuando se le pregunta acerca de la equidad en el acceso a la educación, el 47,5 % declara un acceso “injusto” mientras que el 32 % menciona un acceso “muy injusto”. Esto nos lleva a preguntarnos: por qué el acceso a la educación en Paraguay es considerado muy injusto por la mayoría de la población?   

Desigualdad social y pandemia de Covid-19   

El primer gran problema que afecta la educación es la desigualdad. Datos de 2020 revelan que el debate sobre los problemas en el país está relacionado a la pobreza, a los problemas financieros y a los desafíos educativos. 2 

Esto es algo que afecta no solo Paraguay sino toda la América Latina y el Caribe. Por ejemplo, durante la pandemia de Covid-19, hubo lo que se llama “oscurecimiento educativo.” 3  

A causa del cierre de las escuelas, la educación se llevó a cabo en línea. El problema en esta situación es que el acceso a internet está limitado por el equipo, la calidad de la red y las habilidades digitales. Los datos de la Commisión Económica para América Latina y Caribe (CEPAL) indican que, entre los estudiantes menores de 18 años, alrededor del 60 % no tiene acceso a internet en Paraguay. Esto se ha convertido en un desafío para la educación durante los dos años de educación a distancia. Sin embargo, considerando la realidad en la que vivimos actualmente, esto sigue siendo un problema para el país y la región.  

El acceso desigual a la educación ha afectado los índices educativos mucho antes de la pandemia. En 2019, por ejemplo, al comprobar el desempeño de los estudiantes de escuela primaria, resultó que los estudiantes paraguayos tuvieron niveles de desempeño más bajos en matemáticas. Con respecto al poco avance, el Director de la Oficina Regional de Educación para América Latina y el Caribe (OREALAC) de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (UNESCO), Claudia Uribe menciona la necesidad de tomar medidas gubernamentales urgentes para lograr la Agenda 2030. 4 La exclusión en la escuela afecta de manera más intensa a algunos grupos. Los estudiantes indígenos, afrodescendientes y migrantes encuentran desventajas.   

Chicas y mujeres indígenas   

La creación del país se basó sobre la exclusión de las poblaciones indígenas. Por esta razón, podemos observar los impactos sociales sufridos por estos grupos hasta el día de hoy. Hay una gran diversidad étnica. El derecho a la participación política y el acceso a la educación son esenciales para mitigar estas desigualdades. Existen avances constitucionales en este sentido, como la Constitución del 1992, que reconoce y garantiza los derechos de los pueblos indígenas en Paraguay:  

ARTICULO 66 – DE LA EDUCACION Y LA ASISTENCIA 

El Estado respetará las peculiaridades culturales de los pueblos indígenas, especialmente en lo relativo a la educación formal. Se atenderá, además, a su defensa contra la regresión demográfica, la depredación de su hábitat, la contaminación ambiental, la explotación económica y la alienación cultural. (Artículos de la Constitución Nacional)5 

Sin embargo, los pueblos indígenas se enfrentan a la exclusión y pobreza. Esto afecta los indicatores educativos de la población indígena, que empeoran cuando se considera la realidad de la población feminina indígena. En Paraguay, la escolaridad gratuita y obligatoria dura nueve años (educación básica). Considerando esto, los hombres indígenas permanecen en la educación poco menos de cinco años, mientras que las  mujeres indígenas aproximadamente 3,5 años. Podemos observar una gran diferencia en la cantidad de educación garantizada. Los datos de la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares Continua (EPHC) muestran las tres principales razones por estos egresos escolares. 

Primero, razones familiares. Alrededor del 20 % de las mujeres indígenas abandonaron sus estudios porque tenían demasiadas actividades domésticas. Segundo, los aspectos económicos. En este caso, más del 25 % de los hombres indígenas abandonaron la escuela porque necesitaban conseguir un trabajo. Tercero, la falta de suficientes institutiones educativas. Specialmente, una educación  en la que se tengan en cuenta su cultura y sus opiniones, como se menciona en el artículo constitucional.6  El modo de vida de muchas comunidades indígenas sigue basándose en las costumbres de caza y recolleción. Una escuela que se adapte a esa realidad es necesaria, y, para ello, el gobierno necesita invertir en este tipo de propuesta más allá de una visión constitucional.7  

Esta es una realidad de desigualdades raciales- étnicas, pero también de desigualdades de género. Una realidad que se ha propagado desde la época colonial, en la que las mujeres indígenas fueron secuestradas por los colonizadores para ocupar puestos de manutención doméstica y para la procreación.  El proceso colonizador ha afectado el sistéma económico de estos pueblos tradicionales, que no es considerado suficientemente productivo.  

El papel de las mujeres indígenas, entonces, cambia dentro de esta realidad. Por lo tanto,  su situación socioéconomica tiene tal impacto en el logro de la educación. Casi el 70 % de la mujeres indígenas son pobres. Muchas de ellas son consideradas “economicamente inactivas” porque solo realizan actividades domésticas.8 Algunos autores mencionan que “ser una mujer indígena” en esta sociedad implica triple discriminación : étnica, de género, y de clase. La garantía del derecho a la educación para esta parte de la población paraguaya es urgente. Aunque se han hechos des avances, es necesario institucionalizar mejor esos derechos. Esto debe hacerse respetando y fortaleciendo la cultura específica de cada grupo indígena.  

Conclusión  

Las lineas de esperanza para mejorar los desafíos educativos que enfrenta Paraguay necesitan estar dirigidas a mitigar la desigualdad socioeconómica. Una estructura escolar más inclusiva, equitativa y segura es necesaria. Sobre todo, la universalización del acceso a la educación secundaria. El uso de la transformación digital en favor del progreso educativo es también urgente ya que es un aprendizaje útil y esencial para la realidad contemporánea en la que vivimos. Invertir en la educación es una de las claves del desarollo sostenible.  

Los efectos de la desigualdad también están relacionados con la realidad de las mujeres indígenas. Sin embargo, más que políticas para mejorar y acciones para combatir esta desigualdad, es necesario darle a estas mujeres el poder de tomar decisiones. Las cuestiones de la pobreza y de la educación son solo algunos de los problemas que enfrenta este grupo. La violencia es alta y muchas mujeres indígenas se están organizando como activistas para combatir la violencia. En este sentido, el activismo y la organización de estos pueblos están avanzando continuamente para luchar por la garantía de los derechos de los pueblos indígenas. Sin embargo, la acción más adecuada parece ser aumentar las oportunidades de ocupar cargos políticos y situarlos como creadores de específicas políticas públicas .9 

Aunque el derecho constitucional a la educación exista para todo ciudadano paraguayo, es importante señalar la distinción entre la prerrogativa de un derecho y la realidad de una educación de calidad. Para todos.  

Featured image from

Foto: UNESCO warns of a lack of progress in basic learning achievements since 2013 in Latin America and the Caribbean. (2013). Unesco.org. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-warns-lack-progress-basic-learning-achievements-2013-latin-america-and-caribbean  

Traducido en español por Eliana Riggi del artículo en inglés: https://brokenchalk.org/educational-challenges-in-paraguay-socioeconomic-inequality-as-key-to-educational-progress/  

   

  

  

  

 

Navigating Educational Challenges in Tunisia: A Roadmap for Reform

Written by Veronica Grazzi

 

Tunisia gained independence from French colonial rule in 1956, marking the beginning of its modern era. Since then, the country has undergone significant social, economic, and political transformations. The pursuit of quality education has long been intertwined with the nation’s journey toward modernization and development. One of the key priorities of the Tunisian government has been the advancement of education to foster national development and social progress.

 

The education system in Tunisia is based on the principles of accessibility, inclusivity, and quality. Education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 16, with efforts made to ensure equal access for both genders. Over the years, Tunisia has made notable strides in expanding educational opportunities, achieving nearly universal enrollment rates for primary education.

 

However, in 2021, a region-wide poll found that 77% of respondents were dissatisfied with education; Tunisia’s education system faces several challenges. These include disparities in educational quality between urban and rural areas, high dropout rates at the secondary and tertiary levels, inadequate infrastructure and resources, as well as a need for curriculum reform to align with the demands of a rapidly changing global economy.

 

Furthermore, Tunisia’s education sector has been impacted by broader socio-economic and political factors. The country has experienced periods of political instability and social unrest, which have at times disrupted educational activities and hindered progress in education reform initiatives.

 

However, Tunisia also possesses significant potential for overcoming these challenges. The country boasts a young and dynamic population, with a growing emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Initiatives aimed at modernizing the education system, enhancing teacher training, and promoting digital literacy are underway, reflecting Tunisia’s commitment to addressing its educational challenges and unlocking opportunities for its youth.

 

The geographical concentration of educational institutions in Greater Tunis and along the Tunisian coast: unequal access to education

One of the foremost challenges confronting Tunisia’s education system is the unequal access to educational opportunities, particularly among marginalized communities and rural areas. According to a report by UNICEF, a significant number of children in Tunisia remain out of school, with disparities in enrollment rates prevalent across different regions of the country. While urban centers like Tunis boast relatively higher enrollment rates, rural areas such as Kairouan face several challenges in ensuring equitable access to education. The lack of adequate infrastructure, including schools and transportation facilities exacerbates the problem, contributing to a widening educational gap between urban and rural populations.

The concentration of educational institutions in Greater Tunis and along the Tunisian coast poses a significant obstacle to the advancement and improvement of Tunisia’s education system. This unequal distribution of schools and universities impedes efforts to modernize education and enhance its quality, perpetuating inequalities by withholding necessary resources from other regions. Moreover, it imposes additional financial burdens on students for transportation and accommodation. To alleviate these challenges, one approach could involve establishing educational facilities within or near students’ localities to reduce costs and foster local development. This strategy could also help mitigate migration to major cities. For instance, while medical schools in Monastir and Sousse are geographically proximate, regions in central, northwestern, and southern Tunisia lack similar institutions.

Furthermore, socio-economic factors intersect with geographical disparities, further exacerbating the inequities in access to education. Children from low-income families often encounter barriers such as prohibitive school fees, inadequate resources for learning

 

materials, and the necessity to contribute to household income, thereby impeding their ability to pursue education. This disparity not only perpetuates social stratification but also undermines Tunisia’s efforts towards achieving inclusive and sustainable development.

 

Infrastructure deficiencies in numerous educational institutions, particularly in rural areas:

Additionally, many educational establishments, particularly those situated in rural regions, face infrastructure shortcomings. These schools need significant assistance to improve their infrastructure, especially in terms of health, sports, and cultural amenities. The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDS) for example is advocating for government action to tackle educational inequalities, specifically focusing on inadequate school infrastructure in the west-central regions of Tunisia.

In a recent report titled “Consequences of Lack of Environmental Justice and Impact of Climate Change on Other Rights,” issued by FTDS’s Environmental and Climate Justice Unit on April 18, concerns were raised about the deficiencies in essential amenities like clean water and sanitation facilities in many schools in these areas. The report underscores the severe implications of these shortcomings on students’ health, overall well-being, and academic performance.

Significant deficiency in educational resources: Quality of Education

Beyond the issue of access, the quality of education in Tunisia poses a significant challenge, characterized by shortcomings in curriculum, teaching methodologies, and learning outcomes. The World Bank highlights the need for comprehensive educational reforms to address the underlying deficiencies that hinder the delivery of quality education. While Tunisia has made considerable progress in expanding educational opportunities, there remains a pressing need to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of its education system in preparing students for the demands of the 21st-century economy.

A key aspect of improving the quality of education lies in revamping the curriculum to align with the evolving needs of society and the job market. Arab Barometer emphasizes the importance of integrating critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and digital literacy into the curriculum to equip students with the competencies required for success in a knowledge-driven economy. Furthermore, investing in teacher training and professional development is essential to empower educators with the pedagogical skills and tools necessary to engage students effectively and foster a culture of lifelong learning. Another urgent concern is the insufficient distribution of educational resources, illustrated by low enrollment rates in regions such as Kairouan. Concerned parents have expressed dissatisfaction through protests due to the dearth of educational infrastructure, particularly evident in Kairouan where there is a severe shortage of teachers, resulting in numerous unfilled positions.

 

In public schools, class sizes often swell to between 30 and 40 students, significantly detracting from the effectiveness and caliber of instruction. This situation not only undermines the implementation of essential pedagogical methods tailored for skills-based teaching but also limits opportunities for hands-on learning experiences, as previously highlighted.

Achieving high-quality education necessitates smaller class sizes and the provision of adequate educational resources and technology. Consequently, students attending private schools enjoy greater prospects for skill development compared to their counterparts in public schools. Consequently, while education remains free, the focus on skill development suffers, eroding the state’s capacity in critical sectors. This imbalance pushes many to seek enrollment in private institutions in pursuit of a “quality” education.

 

Governance and Policy Reform

The governance and management of the education sector in Tunisia present another critical challenge that calls for attention. The Campaign for Education underscores the need for robust monitoring and assessment mechanisms to track progress, identify bottlenecks, and inform evidence-based decision-making. Transparent and accountable governance structures are essential for ensuring the efficient allocation of resources, fostering innovation, and promoting stakeholder engagement in the education sector.

Moreover, policy coherence and coordination across different government agencies are imperative to address systemic issues and implement holistic solutions. The Tunisian Educational Reform report emphasizes the importance of adopting a multi-dimensional approach that encompasses not only quantitative expansion but also qualitative improvement in education. By fostering partnerships with civil society organizations, international donors, and other stakeholders, Tunisia can leverage collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable change in its education system.

 

The need of a joint action

In conclusion, navigating the educational challenges in Tunisia requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including government authorities, educators, civil society organizations, and the international community. By prioritizing equitable access, enhancing the quality of education, and fostering effective governance and policy reform, Tunisia should guarantee that every child has the opportunity to fully enjoy the universal right to education.

UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Koumbou Boly Barry, well highlighted the way forward to the key challenges in Tunisia in a statement at the end of a fact-finding visit to the country: “Tunisia’s democratic transition requires the development of education law based on the fundamental values of its society, with proper funding.”

She also emphasized that sufficient and decentralized financial resources were necessary to achieve the right to education. She also suggested the establishment of forums to deliberate on the most effective implementation of this right, aiming to foster social cohesion nationwide.

She further suggested that these dialogue platforms should be present across all levels of society. Stakeholders were urged to participate in collaborative management and genuine cooperation to cultivate trust between decision-makers and the educational community.

Featured image by Tunisia, Marcel Crozet 2020 via Flickr

 

References

· Middle East Institute. “Education in Tunisia: Current Challenges and Opportunities.” Last modified March 16, 2023. https://www.mei.edu/events/education-tunisia-current-challenges-and-opportunities.

· UNICEF. Tunisia Country Report on Out-of-School Children: Summary. New York: UNICEF, 2019. https://www.unicef.org/mena/media/6661/file/Tunisia%20Country%20Report%20on%20OOSC%20Summary_EN.pdf%20.pdf.

· UNICEF. “Tunisia: Keeping Tunisia’s Most Vulnerable Children on the Path to Education.” Last modified December 12, 2020. https://www.unicef.org/mena/stories/unicef-tunisia-keeping-tunisias-most-vulnerable-children-path-education.

· UNHCR. “Education – UNHCR Tunisia.” Accessed September 5, 2024. https://www.unhcr.org.

· AEHN. “The Colonial Legacy of Education: Evidence from Tunisia.” African Economic History Network, 2022. https://www.aehnetwork.org.

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· World Bank. “Shortcomings in Tunisian Education: What Went Wrong?” World Bank Blogs, last modified June 14, 2018. https://blogs.worldbank.org/arabvoices/shortcomings-tunisian-education.

· Arab Barometer. “Education in Tunisia: Past Progress, Present Decline and Future Challenges.” Last modified March 23, 2021. https://www.arabbarometer.org/2021/03/education-in-tunisia-past-progress-present-decline-and-future-challenges/.

· Campaign for Education. Tunisian Report. Global Campaign for Education, 2023. https://campaignforeducation.org.

· Statista. “Education in Tunisia: Statistics & Facts.” Last modified September 2022. https://www.statista.com.

· Mahfoudh, Hédi. The Tunisian Educational Reform: From Quantity to Quality and the Need for Monitoring and Assessment. ResearchGate, 2020. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341199765_The_Tunisian_Educational_Reform_From_Quantity_to_Quality_and_the_Need_for_Monitoring_and_Assessment.

· World Bank. Tunisia – Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities. Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023. https://www.worldbank.org.

· Global Partnership for Education. “Tunisia.” Last modified September 2022. https://www.globalpartnership.org/where-we-work/tunisia.

· ReliefWeb. “Tunisia: Country Report on Out-of-School Children: Summary (EN/AR).” Last modified May 2020. https://reliefweb.int/report/tunisia/tunisia-country-report-out-school-children-summary-enar?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiMmwBhDmARIsABeQ7xQsu1ug0Nk-iS6ShLLRBNln9IAYw8ymwhRczfa43w_SrT22NhE7cecaAkjhEALw_wcB.

· Flickr. “Kesra, Visit of Achievements.” Last modified February 25, 2016. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ilo/25112766145.

· Tunisia Education. “Education System of Tunisia: Primary, Secondary, Higher, Technical Ed.” Last modified March 2021. https://tunisiaeducation.info.

· European Commission. Country Fiche: Tunisia 2022. Brussels: European Commission, 2022. https://europa.eu.

· Daily News Egypt. “Tunisian Forum Calls for School Infrastructure Upgrades to Address Inequality.” Last modified April 26, 2024. https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2024/04/26/tunisian-forum-calls-for-school-infrastructure-upgrades-to-address-inequalitypen_spark.

· OHCHR. “Tunisia Must Act Now to Ensure the Right to Education Is Met and Fully Funded, Says UN Expert.” Last modified April 18, 2019. https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2019/04/tunisia-must-act-now-ensure-right-education-met-and-fully-funded-says-un-expert.

· Houloul. “Will Be Available Soon.” Last modifi

ed July 22, 2021. https://houloul.org/en/2021/07/22/will-be-available-soon-9/.

 

Child Poverty in Tonga

Written by Panashe Marie Louise Mlambo

The Kingdom of Tonga is divided into four island groups and consists of some 170 islands, with only 36 Islands inhabited in the Polynesian Pacific. The four island groups are Tongatapu in the south, Ha’apai in the centre, Vava’u in the north, and Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou in the north. The total population stands at 106,170, around 37 per cent of whom are under the age of 15.

i. The country faces numerous issues, one of them being learning poverty, which refers to the inability of children to read and understand a simple text by age 10. To understand why the country faces a large number of children who are under learning poverty, we must look at the socio-economic issues that affect the country.

 

In addition to poverty, The Kingdom of Tonga also has environmental issues, primarily climate issues, due to its coastal location. Like many other Pacific Islands, Tonga is vulnerable to natural disasters, cyclones, and unfortunately, it also has a large number of people who live under the poverty line. In March 2015, at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, Tonga was labelled the second most at-risk country in the world due to constantly being threatened by different natural disasters. As a result, many education systems suffer in terms of quality and quantity, leading to poverty and insecurities in learning.

 

Free education and retention issues.

The country has free education for children aged 6 to 14, and education has been compulsory for this age group since 1987; however, after completion of secondary school, many students leave the country to pursue tertiary education in Australia and other countries, which has led to a continuous brain drain and the country’s reliance of remittances.

ii. In addition, the World Bank report, which looked at houses in Tonga, found that to tackle issues in education and the economy, the country needs to find other sources of income.

iii. Despite the strides in making education accessible, the country still faces a large percentage of out-of-school children and non-completion of primary and secondary school. Due to free education only covering up to 14 years and the country’s large number of people living under the poverty line, the dropout rate is higher in upper secondary school. According to UNICEF, in a 2023 study, 2 per cent do not complete primary, 8 per cent do not complete lower secondary school, and 49 per cent do not complete upper secondary.

iv. Gender roles and education

According to the UNICEF education fact sheet,v 62 per cent of the children who do not complete primary education are boys, 57 per cent at the lower secondary level, and 54 per cent at the upper secondary level are boys—further highlighting the glaring issues in gender norms.

 

V. Around the globe, looking at the data collected by Education Monitoring Around the Globe by Broken Chalk, many countries that have a large number of people living below the poverty line have issues with boys retention; many boys in these countries drop out to provide for their families and also get involved in criminal activities, and Tonga is an example of this phenomenon.

 

COL undertook a study on boys’ underachievement in Tonga to investigate factors affecting boys’ participation, performance and learning outcomes in school. The researchers engaged over 450 stakeholders through surveys and interviews with parents, teachers, boys, community members and the Ministry for Education and Training staff.

vi. The researchers found that social norms largely affect the perception of boys, and due to poverty, many boys understand criminal activities and drop out due to responsibilities at home, and many people are unaware of these issues.

Learning Poverty and Social Status

According to UNICEF, 48 per cent of children who have Grade 3 as the highest grade attended have the expected reading skills for that grade, while 26 per cent of children have the expected numeracy skills. The data also shows that children in the bottom wealth quintile have lower numeracy skills compared to children from the richest households in the country.

Socioeconomic status (SES) plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s educational outcomes. Children from lower-SES backgrounds often face multiple disadvantages that impede their academic progress. These disadvantages include limited access to educational resources at home, reduced parental involvement due to time constraints or lower educational attainment of parents, and fewer opportunities for early childhood development.

vii. The home literacy environment, in particular, has been identified as a significant factor influencing children’s literacy skills. Children from lower-SES households typically have fewer books at home and engage less frequently in reading activities with their parents, which can hinder the development of foundational literacy skills.

viiiI. In the kingdom of Tonga, there are two main official languages, English and Tongan, with children from English-speaking homes having more literacy. According to UNICEF, 70 per cent of 7 to 14-year-olds who speak English at home have foundational reading skills; this is higher than children who speak Tongan at home.

ix. Environment issues and effects on education

As mentioned above, the country is highly susceptible to environmental disasters, and in the World Bank report, it was noted that to improve education and retention issues in schools, there is a need for social protection initiatives. The country frequently has to rebuild schools, and education is disrupted due to natural disasters; the country also lacks proper infrastructure, despite the location is often being at risk one, to combat the effects of cyclones and floodings on education and households. It is notable that the country, from 2015 to 2021, initiated social programs which assist families in disasters and is now closer to similar countries, although still lacking.

x. It is, therefore, critical that the government make improvements to improve social programs and infrastructure to bridge the gap between poverty and education.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Kingdom of Tonga must put measures in place to combat learning poverty. The country, from 2015-to 2021, has made strides to combat poverty, but with the new seasons coming disasters on the rise in its region, and the number of children learning poverty increasing, it is dire that the country puts in place digital and other implementations in place to combat learning poverty. One of the reasons for learning about poverty is disruptions in education. By improving the country’s internal issues, the country can have sustainable results in reducing poverty overall.

 

 

Reference List 

1. UNICEF. (2017). Situation analysis of children in Tonga. https://www.unicef.org/pacificislands/media/1251/file/Situation-Analysis-of-Children-Tonga.pdf

2. Morgan, C. (2020, April 23). 8 facts about education in Tonga. The Borgen Project. https://borgenproject.org/8-facts-about-education-in-tonga/

3. World Bank. (2019). Tonga: Education sector report. World Bank Open Knowledge Repository. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/bee749e0-d3cc-4b7f-aaad-c1278a07ea3f

4. UNICEF. (2023). Tonga factsheet 2023. UNICEF Data. https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Tonga-factsheet-2023.pdf

5. Commonwealth of Learning. (2022, March 17). Aligning reform strategies for boys’ educational outcomes in Tonga. https://www.col.org/news/aligning-reform-strategies-for-boys-educational-outcomes-in-tonga/

6. World Bank. (2024, October 17). Despite challenges, Tonga making important steps in reducing poverty. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/10/17/despite-challenges-tonga-making-important-steps-in-reducing-poverty

i UNICEF. (2017). Situation analysis of children in Tonga. UNICEF. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/pacificislands/media/1251/file/Situation-Analysis-of-Children-Tonga.pdf

ii Morgan, C. (2020, April 23). 8 facts about education in Tonga. The Borgen Project. Retrieved from https://borgenproject.org/8-facts-about-education-in-tonga/

iii World Bank. (2019). Tonga: Education sector report. World Bank Open Knowledge Repository. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/bee749e0-d3cc-4b7f-aaad-c1278a07ea3f

iv UNICEF. (2023). Tonga factsheet 2023. UNICEF Data. Retrieved from https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Tonga-factsheet-2023.pdf

v https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Tonga-factsheet-2023.pdf

vi Commonwealth of Learning. (2022, March 17). Aligning reform strategies for boys’ educational outcomes in Tonga. Commonwealth of Learning. Retrieved from https://www.col.org/news/aligning-reform-strategies-for-boys-educational-outcomes-in-tonga/

vii https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9588575/

viii https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/mje/2023/01/05/the-relationship-between-socioeconomic-status-and-literacy-how-literacy-is-influenced-by-and-influences-ses/

ix https://www.unicef.org/pacificislands/media/1251/file/Situation-Analysis-of-Children-Tonga.pdf

x World Bank. (2024, October 17). Despite challenges, Tonga making important steps in reducing poverty. World Bank. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/10/17/despite-challenges-tonga-making-important-steps-in-reducing-poverty

The Impact of the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza on Educational Rights

Written by Alessia Bruni

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to disrupt the lives of many residents severely, specifically affecting the educational rights of Palestinian children. The right to education is a fundamental right that all children should enjoy, however, for many children and students living in the Gaza Strip, school has been inaccessible due to the damage to their infrastructure and the threat of violence. The crisis disrupts the children’s ability to gain quality education, creating long-term obstacles.

The Crisis in Gaza

Recent reports calculate that over 625,000 children in Gaza, including 300,00 enrolled in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, schools have been directly impacted by the ongoing humanitarian crisis. (United Nations Relief Works Agency 2024) These families and their children live in a constant state of fear due to the ongoing threats of violence by military operations, and this causes a lack of access to essential services, with education being the most predominant. Many of the schools that allow access to education have been destroyed or damaged by airstrikes at an alarming rate of 90%, leaving families to be displaced. (Rose and Sayed 2024) Our normalcy of everyday life is easily sustainable, whereas, for Palestinian children, normalcy is impossible to sustain. Having to rebuild the educational system will leave the children losing either 2 years of education in case a ceasefire was to be drawn, and if not, an alarming 5 years of education could be lost. (Rose and Sayed 2024)

Destruction of Infrastructure

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is not only reflected in the multitude of deaths of children but also extends to the fate of the children who do survive but are left with the aftereffects of the destruction, leaving their opportunities, specifically educational opportunities, in jeopardy. The Education Cluster deployed a satellite-derived damage assessment in the Gaza Strip to assess the damage to infrastructure and educational facilities. The results of the satellite images revealed that hundreds of the buildings were destroyed. To further highlight these atrocities, under International Humanitarian Law, any direct attack against a school is constituted as a violation, specifically regarding children in conflict. (Inger Ashing, Sherif, and Egeland 2024) This highlights the severity of the lives and educational opportunities of Palestinian children.

The extent of the destruction underscores the lasting and devastating impact on educational access for current and future generations. The significant damage to these schools places educational opportunities in a state of crisis; once hostilities cease, children may find themselves without any schools to attend. Furthermore, rebuilding the infrastructure could take years or may even prove impossible. (United Nations 2024) The destruction of school facilities not only postpones formal education but deprives children of a safe learning environment. Schools are vital for fostering social skills and supporting emotional and educational development. (UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 2024) The absence of adequate infrastructure has forced students into temporary shelters, where they face numerous challenges, including overcrowding, interruptions, and limited support and resources. (Hinnawi 2024)

The Psychological Damage on the Children and Educators

It is important to draw attention to the significant psychological impact of the humanitarian crisis on Gaza’s children. It is calculated that over 1.2 million children live in a constant state where their safety is compromised due to threats or violence, this creates effects that are lasting to their well-being. (Hinnawi 2024) The impact of the crisis has left nearly all children in the Gaza Strip to require mental health support due to the atrocities and the lasting trauma due to the multitude of loss of their friends, homes, schools, and family. (Rose and Sayed 2024)

“Education has been under relentless attack in Gaza and the West Bank, with hundreds of thousands of children deprived of their right to education, tens of thousands of teachers having lost their jobs, and hundreds of schools in the Gaza Strip totally or partially destroyed” (Education International 2024) The ongoing conflict continues to disrupt the lives of the children with ongoing trauma, contributing to the ability of the children to engage in educational opportunities meaningfully. Furthermore, many of the educators face the same trauma that the children of Gaza experience while having to work under strenuous conditions to provide education. This creates a disruptive cycle of learning as both the educators and students are subjected to severe psychological trauma due to the ongoing trauma and instability. (Graham-Harrison and Mousa 2023)

The Generational Impact

The long-term implications of the current crisis in Gaza on education are profound, leaving many students without access to schooling now and potentially in the future if conditions do not improve. The loss of education raises the alarming prospect of a “lost generation,” as prolonged school absences deprive children of the essential skills and knowledge needed for meaningful economic and social contributions. (Rose and Sayed 2024) Education offers a vital pathway for children to improve their circumstances and provides individuals from impoverished backgrounds a chance to break free from their limitations and establish stability. The erosion of educational opportunities not only jeprodises the future of these children but also threatens the overall future of Palestinian society. (Ali 2024)

The degradation of educational opportunities in Gaza has far-reaching implications that extend beyond academic knowledge, encompassing the essential values and aspirations that a school environment fosters. Interviews conducted by aid workers have revealed that many children in Gaza are grappling with fundamental questions regarding the concepts of equality and human rights. (United Nations Relief Works Agency 2024) These inquiries arise from the stark contradiction between these ideals and the pervasive violence and trauma they endure. If ongoing loss of hope, intervention, and values persists, it may rise to significant social challenges in the future. (UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 2024)

The Role of International Aid

International organisations and governments must prioritise the right to education in their response to the ongoing crisis, particularly through the provision of humanitarian aid. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has taken significant steps to address this issue by calling for an immediate ceasefire and urging international organisations to increase funding for their “Education in Emergencies” program. This initiative provides non-formal education, mental health support, and temporary learning spaces. (United Nations Relief Works Agency 2024) A commitment to educational recovery is essential to safeguard the future of children in Gaza. This commitment should encompass measures that ensure safe learning environments during emergencies and humanitarian crises. This will help foster hope and stability for Palestinian youth. (Hinnawi 2024)

Conclusion

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza underscores the profound disruptions to both educational opportunities and humanitarian rights, leading to enduring and detrimental effects on physical infrastructure and mental health. Immediate intervention and assistance are essential, as the cycle of trauma and interrupted education is likely to escalate, resulting in long-term repercussions for the Palestinian children and the wider community. Education is a fundamental human right, and by prioritising aid initiatives, the international community has a critical opportunity to alleviate the impacts of the current crisis. Restoring educational access can provide the children of Gaza with a sense of normalcy, hope, and stability, which is crucial for both their present circumstances and future prospects.

References

Ali, Eman Alhaj. 2024. “In Gaza, education is resistance.” Al Jazeera, August 12, 2024. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/8/12/in-gaza-education-is-resistance.

Education International. 2024. “War and trauma: Addressing mental health in Palestine.” Education International, July 8, 2024. https://www.ei-ie.org/en/item/28781:war-and-trauma-addressing-mental-health-in-palestine.

Graham-Harrison, Emma, and Aseel Mousa. 2023. “War’s toll on education in Gaza casts shadow over children’s future.” the Guardian, December 18, 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/18/wars-toll-on-education-in-gaza-casts-shadow-over-childrens-future.

Hinnawi, Mohammed. 2024. “UNRWA Education activities in Gaza.” UNRWA EDUCATION RESPONSE IN GAZA, June 2024. https://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/education_response_in_gaza_graphic_brief.pdf

Inger Ashing, Inger, Yasmine Sherif, and Jan Egeland. 2024. “Education Under Attack in Gaza, With Nearly 90% of School Buildings Damaged or Destroyed.” Save The Children, April 16, 2024. https://www.savethechildren.net/blog/education-under-attack-gaza-nearly-90-school-buildings-damaged-or-destroyed.

Rose, Pauline, and Yusuf Sayed. 2024. “Palestinian Education ‘under Attack’, Leaving a Generation Close to Losing Hope, Study Warns.” University of Cambridge. September 25, 2024. https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/palestinian-education-under-attack-leaving-a-generation-close-to-losing-hope-study-warns.

United Nations. 2024. “UN experts deeply concerned over ‘scholasticide’ in Gaza.” UN experts deeply concerned over ‘scholasticide’ in Gaza OHCHR, April 18, 2024. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/04/un-experts-deeply-concerned-over-scholasticide-gaza.

United Nations Relief Works Agency. 2024. “Education Under Attack.” Education Under Attack UNWRA, September 9, 2024. https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/photos/education-under-attack.

UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 2024. “UN Human Rights Office – OPT: The UN Human Rights Office condemns Israeli Defense Force’s Strike on Al Tabae’en School in Gaza City – occupied Palestinian territory.” ReliefWeb, August 10, 2024. https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/un-human-rights-office-opt-un-human-rights-office-condemns-israeli-defense-forces-strike-al-tabaeen-school-gaza-city?_gl=1*1gb7d68*_ga*MTczOTcwNTI5NC4xNzE3NTA5ODY5*_ga_E60ZNX2F68*MTcyMzU1MDMzNi4yMi4xLjE3MjM1NTAzMzguNTguMC4w.

 

Cover Image by Honsy Salah, Gaza, Palestine, 2011, photograph, Pixabay, https://pixabay.com/photos/gaza-palestine-poverty-child-boy-6782232/

The lack of adequate education due to poverty in South Africa

 

 

Written by Alessia Bruni

The right to quality education is a fundamental right. However, in South Africa, numerous children encounter substantial obstacles in obtaining adequate education due to impoverished circumstances. Education plays a pivotal role in shaping individuals, affording them access to further opportunities. Regrettably, for many learners in South Africa, this aspiration remains elusive. Despite the efforts made by the South African government to improve the educational system, the economic divide continues to leave a large portion of the people of South Africa with limited educational opportunities and insufficient resources.

The Interrelation between Education and Poverty

The influence of poverty on a child’s education is profound, impacting their ability to access and remain in school and pursue higher education in the future. Approximately 55% of South Africa’s population resides in poverty. (World Bank Group 2023) This statistic highlights the nation’s educational framework, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions where essential elements such as infrastructure, teaching personnel, and educational materials are deficient. This results in significant disparities between wealthier schools and those in rural and township communities. (Mohamed 2020)

The influence of poverty on education can be found both directly and indirectly. Families facing financial hardship often encounter challenges in providing necessities such as uniforms, transportation, and school supplies, which can result in students discontinuing their education or frequently missing school. Moreover, students raised in impoverished environments may lack stable housing and an environment conducive to learning, thus adversely affecting their academic performance. The current challenges make it difficult to secure employment due to the absence of a strong educational foundation leaving the students without essential educational skills such as writing, reading, and social skills. (Hogan 2020)

Deficient Infrastructure and Resources

The need for adequate infrastructure in the education sector is paramount, as its absence can significantly affect the delivery of quality education. In South Africa, the adverse effects of poverty on education show in numerous schools that lack essential amenities such as running water, sanitation, and electricity. This insufficiency has led to students being educated in makeshift classrooms and outdoor settings due to the absence of proper facilities. Furthermore, overcrowded classrooms have hampered teachers’ ability to provide individual attention to students, impacting the overall education quality. (Veriava 2012)

Schools in rural and township areas of South Africa are not only confronted with inadequate infrastructure, but also face a dearth of fundamental educational resources such as books, textbooks, seating, desks, and technological amenities including internet connectivity and computers, which are occasionally non-existent in these rural educational institutions. These deficiencies underscore the profound impact of poverty on the educational landscape, thereby exacerbating the disparity between underprivileged and affluent schools, placing students in rural areas at a distinct disadvantage with limited prospects. (Global 2023)

Financial Barriers Leading to Dropout Rates

Public education in South Africa is offered at no cost. However, a significant number of students attending these schools are required to contribute to their family’s income, often resulting in high dropout rates. Additionally, these public schools that offer education free of charge lack the quality that is given in contrast to private schools, leading to many children lacking adequate and quality reading, writing, and many other skills offered at private schools. (Expatica 2016)

According to Statistics South Africa, approximately 20% of children aged 7-18 not in attendance at school attribute their absence to financial constraints. (Statistics South Africa 2022) Furthermore, individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds exhibit a higher likelihood of remaining at home with their families. Additional research indicates that poverty significantly contributes, elucidating variations in dropout rates between genders. The research reveals that male students are more prone to leaving school due to academic underperformance or interpersonal conflicts with peers and educators. Many also depart in pursuit of vocational training with the aspiration of securing employment. Conversely, female students are more inclined to discontinue their education due to caregiving responsibilities and financial adversity. (Desai et al. 2024)

The Significance of Early Childhood Development

Early childhood development plays a critical role in laying the foundation for future learning or studies, with barriers such as poverty in South Africa early childhood development (ECD) is affected. In South Africa access to ECD programs is difficult amongst families living in impoverished circumstances. The sectors most impacted in South Africa include early childhood education, social protection, and healthcare. These gaps negatively affect the youngest children from impoverished backgrounds creating barriers that leave them disadvantaged. An alarming rate of “ 7 in every 10 young children now live below the poverty line” (Biersteker, Lake, and Wiedaad Slemming 2024)

Insufficient financial support, coupled with minimal welfare grants, compounds the challenges and restricts access to vital services necessary for children’s development. ECD centres in impoverished areas where often financial constraints, inadequate staffing, and lack of resources, result in a deficiency of early stimulation and support for children. Consequently, many children commence formal schooling already disadvantaged, grappling to keep pace with the curriculum, thus contributing to elevated dropout rates in later years. (DGMT 2024)

Resolutions and Forward Thinking

It is paramount that the education gap be addressed in South Africa specifically relating to the disparities caused by poverty. Investment strategies should be implemented to contribute to adequate school infrastructure specifically in the rural and township areas. It is essential to provide a safe and conducive learning environment in South Africa to provide a more than adequate educational system to children in impoverished areas in South Africa. (uMkhonto weSizwe Party 2024)

The prioritization of teacher training and development is paramount, and the implementation of incentives is recommended to attract qualified educators to underserved schools. Moreover, it is advisable for the government to explore avenues for expanding early childhood education accessibility during the formative years of schooling. (Maimane 2022) Additionally, addressing financial barriers, such as transportation and undisclosed educational fees, is imperative to ensure equitable access to quality education for all students, irrespective of their socioeconomic background. (uMkhonto weSizwe Party 2024)

Conclusion

The quality of education in South Africa resulting from poverty remains a critical impediment to the nation’s advancement. The limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and financial constraints continue to contribute to a system that marginalizes children from low-income and impoverished communities. Effective remedies need to be placed to address these challenges and necessitate the need for an adequate system to contribute financially to educational institutions with enhanced support for educators and families. Through a concentrated effort to remove these barriers in educational disparity, we can disrupt the cycle of poverty and secure a more promising future for all children in South Africa.

 

References

Biersteker, Linda, Lori Lake, and Wiedaad Slemming. 2024. “South Africa Is Failing Its Youngest Children – Report Flags Critical Gaps in Early Learning, Social Protection and Health Care.” The Conversation. September 11, 2024. https://theconversation.com/south-africa-is-failing-its-youngest-children-report-flags-critical-gaps-in-early-learning-social-protection-and-health-care-238607.

Desai, Rachana, Ansuyah Magan, Robert A.C. Ruiter, Priscilla S Reddy, and Liesbeth A.G. Mercken. 2024. “Understanding Why Youth Drop out of School in South Africa.” SAGE Open 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231219080.

DGMT. 2024. “South African Early Childhood Review 2024 – DGMT.” DGMT – the DG Murray Trust. July 18, 2024. https://dgmt.co.za/south-african-early-childhood-review-2024/

Expatica. 2016. “Education in South Africa – Expat Guide to South Africa | Expatica.” Expat Guide to South Africa | Expatica. Expat Guide to South Africa | Expatica. 2016. https://www.expatica.com/za/education/children-education/education-in-south-africa-803205/.

Global, 4 Earth. 2023. “State of Education Facilities in Africa.” 4 Earth Global. November 7, 2023. https://4earth.global/state-of-education-facilities-in-africa/.

Hogan, Alyssa. 2020. “Links between South African Poverty and Education.” The Borgen Project. December 17, 2020. https://borgenproject.org/south-african-poverty-and-education/.

Maimane, Mmusi. 2022. “Mmusi Maimane | Ten Steps to Fix SA’s Education System for Future Generations.” News24. January 26, 2022. https://www.news24.com/news24/opinions/columnists/guestcolumn/mmusi-maimane-ten-steps-to-fix-sas-education-system-for-future-generations-20220126.

Mohamed, Shenilla. 2020. “South Africa: Broken and Unequal Education Perpetuating Poverty and Inequality.” Amnesty International. February 11, 2020. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/02/south-africa-broken-and-unequal-education-perpetuating-poverty-and-inequality/.

Statistics South Africa. 2022. “Increase in Number of Out-of-School Children and Youth in SA in 2020 | Statistics South Africa.” Stats SA. June 29, 2022. https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=15520.

uMkhonto weSizwe Party. 2024. “The State of Education in South Africa: Challenges and Prospects – MK Party.” MK Party. July 9, 2024. https://mkparty.org.za/the-state-of-education-in-south-africa/.

Veriava, Faranaaz . 2012. “Rich School, Poor School – the Great Divide Persists.” The Mail & Guardian. September 28, 2012. https://mg.co.za/article/2012-09-28-00-rich-school-poor-school-the-great-divide-persists/.

 

World Bank Group. 2023. “Poverty & Equity Brief Africa Eastern & Southern South Africa.” World Bank. April 2023. https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/poverty/987B9C90-CB9F-4D93-AE8C-750588BF00QA/current/Global_POVEQ_ZAF.pdf.

Cover Image by Pixabay on 29/07/2020, Kone Kassoum. https://pixabay.com/photos/children-students-school-books-5445625

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-scamming Louise Housing tips

Written by Panashe Mlambo

– Housing shortage in the Netherlands leads to increased competition and rental scams.

Tips to avoid housing and rental scams1:

Ø Beware of deals that seem too good to be true, especially in major cities.

Ø Scrutinize the landlord’s social media for inconsistencies.

Ø Be cautious of reused pictures and descriptions across multiple listings.

Ø Verify the authenticity of house pictures by checking for Dutch elements and doing a reverse image search.

Ø Recognize common patterns in scammer messages, such as providing excessive details upfront and avoiding in-person viewings.

Ø Be wary of landlords who claim to be abroad and cannot show the property in person.

Ø Avoid supplying personal ID until certain of legitimacy.

Ø Verify the property owner through the Kadaster property register.

Ø Always view the apartment before renting or have someone view it on your behalf.

Ø Resist pressure to sign immediately and make payments cautiously.

Ø Avoid payment methods like Western Union and Airbnb.

Ø Watch out for illegal sublets, which may lead to registration issues.

Ø Seek help from organizations like !WOON and local Juridisch Loket if unsure or if scammed.

Ø Take immediate action and report to the police if scammed.

Ø x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 https://dutchreview.com/expat/rental-housing-scams-netherlands/

Sfide nel sistema educativo del Sudafrica

 

Per rispettare gli standard nazionali e internazionali in materia di diritti umani, il Sudafrica deve affrontare diversi ostacoli nella sua sfera educativa. Questo articolo presenterà alcune delle sfide educative più diffuse nel Paese.

Infrastrutture

Uno dei problemi principali del settore educativo oggi è rappresentato dalle strutture a disposizione degli studenti. È di fondamentale importanza che le scuole includano strutture sicure e protette per i bambini e le attrezzature necessarie agli studenti per proseguire la loro istruzione. Secondo Equal Education (EE, 2016), nel 2013 il ministro dell’Istruzione di base, Angie Montshegka, ha accettato una legge che obbliga le scuole di tutto il Paese a disporre almeno di acqua, elettricità, internet, aule sicure con un massimo di 40 studenti in classe, sicurezza e le strutture necessarie per studiare e praticare diversi sport. Sebbene l’obiettivo sia stato fissato per il 2016, oggi molte scuole hanno problemi ben più gravi di una cattiva connessione a Internet. Il Paese sta cercando di raggiungere gli obiettivi prefissati, ma la strada da percorrere è ancora lunga. Numerosi articoli evidenziano i casi di morte di studenti a causa di infrastrutture inadeguate. Inoltre, le carenze igieniche delle scuole sono un problema che influisce sulla salute degli studenti. Un esempio è dato dai servizi igienici e dalle latrine a fossa, dove gli studenti sono a rischio di problemi di salute a causa dell’igiene inadeguata. Questi ostacoli impediscono agli studenti di concentrarsi sull’istruzione e sullo sviluppo.

Disuguaglianza nell’istruzione

Le disuguaglianze sono ampiamente visibili nelle scuole sudafricane. Secondo Amnesty International, i bambini delle prime 200 scuole ottengono punteggi più alti in matematica rispetto ai bambini delle altre 6.600 scuole. Altre statistiche evidenziano che oltre il 75% dei bambini di nove anni non è in grado di leggere in modo significativo. In alcune province, la percentuale raggiunge il 91%. Il sistema educativo si sta ancora riprendendo dall’era dell’Apartheid, con il risultato che i bambini vengono trattati in modo diverso a causa della loro provenienza, della ricchezza o del colore della pelle. The Quality of Primary Education in South Africa, un rapporto dell’UNESCO, afferma che, in teoria, tutti i bambini hanno uguale accesso ai tre livelli di istruzione del Paese. Tuttavia, molti istituti che ospitano studenti provenienti da comunità a basso reddito non sono riusciti a migliorare la qualità dell’istruzione impartita. Il governo deve affrontare il problema della povertà e dell’istruzione.

 

 

Istruzione scadente

Inoltre, la qualità dell’istruzione scolastica è un problema prevalente in Sudafrica. Secondo una ricerca condotta da Gustafsson nel 2021, il pensionamento degli insegnanti in Sudafrica raggiungerà il picco massimo entro il 2030, il che comporterà di conseguenza la necessità di nuovi educatori formati e la ristrutturazione di classi e istituti. Attualmente, la metà delle classi ha 30 studenti per classe, ma il restante 50% può superare i 50 bambini in una classe. Per ridurre il numero, si stima che circa 100.000 nuovi insegnanti entrino nel sistema educativo, il che richiede formazione e finanziamenti su larga scala.

Un’altra sfida che il settore educativo sudafricano deve affrontare oggi è la qualità degli insegnanti. Oltre 5.000 degli attuali insegnanti non sono qualificati per la loro professione. Gli insegnanti non sono competitivi sul mercato del lavoro; hanno una scarsa comprensione dei programmi di studio e nessuna competenza pedagogica, il che porta gli studenti a diplomarsi senza le conoscenze necessarie.

Ciclo di analfabetismo

Infine, secondo il rapporto OCSE del 2019, il Sudafrica ha la più alta percentuale di persone di età compresa tra i 20 e i 24 anni nel settore NEET (né occupazione né istruzione). Il Sudafrica ha ottenuto un punteggio di quasi il 50% su questo criterio, il più alto tra tutti i Paesi esaminati dal rapporto dell’OCSE. Il rapporto 2021 del professor Khuluvhe parla della gravità del problema dell’analfabetismo, affermando che, nel 2019, il tasso di adulti analfabeti (di età superiore ai 20 anni) era del 12,1%, ovvero circa 4,4 milioni. Ciò equivale a una parte considerevole della popolazione che non ha raggiunto un livello di istruzione di 7° grado o superiore. L’analfabetismo comporta conseguenze di vasta portata per la popolazione, tra cui una prole non istruita e il mancato contributo alla società, danneggiando così l’economia del Paese. Il Sudafrica deve affrontare questo problema e ridurre il più possibile la percentuale di analfabetismo.

 

Bibliografia

EE. (2006, July 19). School Infrastructure. Eqaleducation.Org.Za. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://equaleducation.org.za/campaigns/school-infrastructure/

Amnesty International. (2020, February 7). South Africa: Broken and unequal education perpetuating poverty and inequality. Www.Amnesty.Org. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/02/south-africa-broken-and-unequal-education-perpetuating-poverty-and-inequality/

Gustafsson, M. (2021, August 26). A teacher retirement wave is about to hit South Africa: what it means for class size. The Conversation. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://theconversation.com/a-teacher-retirement-wave-is-about-to-hit-south-africa-what-it-means-for-class-size-164345

Khuluvhe, M. K. (2021, March 1). Adult illiteracy in South Africa. Www.Dhet.Gov.Za. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.dhet.gov.za/Planning%20Monitoring%20and%20Evaluation%20Coordination/Fact%20Sheet%20on%20Adult%20Illiteracy%20in%20South%20Africa%20-%20March%202021.pdf

Editor. (2019, December 27). Opinion: The Challenges Facing The Education System In South Africa. iAfrica. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://iafrica.com/opinion-the-challenges-facing-the-education-system-in-south-africa/