Access to education for all

Why are children missing out on education?

Poverty and education are connected in a vicious cycle. When you’re living in poverty, it is difficult to afford an education. Without an education, it is hard to earn sufficient income to lift yourself out of poverty. This cycle can continue for generations.

Families living in poverty face a tough choice between their short-term, immediate needs and the long-term benefits of education. Disadvantaged households often do not have sufficient resources to pay for essentials such as school uniforms, stationery or transportation.

When we tackle poverty in disadvantaged communities, we improve the likelihood of children finishing school. Something as basic as supporting a community to build a well can have flow-on effects for children’s education. A community with improved access to safe water means children will spend less time walking to collect water for their families and more time in the classroom.

Women are particularly disadvantaged

Gender inequality, traditional social hierarchies and cultural norms are strong barriers to girls’ education. In households with multiple children, parents may send their sons to school rather than their daughters, because they are seen as having higher wage-earning potential. Girls are instead designated domestic duties, such as collecting food and water for the family.

In many communities around the world, girls are forced to marry before they finish their education. Child marriage robs girls of the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge they need to become financially independent. It is essential that we keep girls in school, so they are empowered to make their own life decisions. Girls who have completed their schooling are much more likely to marry at a later age, have fewer children and earn higher incomes. This in turn helps to lift disadvantaged households out of poverty.

COVID-19 has disrupted education worldwide

The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to reverse years of progress in children’s education. Lockdown has forced many schools around the world to close. With the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, many of these schools may never reopen again.

The pandemic has also highlighted the digital divide between the rich and the poor. Remote learning is currently out of reach for at least 500 million students. In many disadvantaged communities, children do not have access to laptops or a strong internet connection to continue their learning during lockdown.

Upskilling teachers in local communities

Disadvantaged communities often face a shortage of skilled, qualified teachers. We believe local teachers should be the agents of change in their community. That’s why it is crucial that we empower local teachers with the resources and training they need to run their classrooms.

In Vietnam, people who live with disabilities often have poor access to education. Our partner agency Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) are supporting local teachers with training so they can provide more inclusive education for children with a disability.

Through our partner agency Jesuit Refugee Services, we have also strengthened the capacity of the Kareeni education department to deliver quality education in refugee camps on the Thailand-Myanmar border.

Education transforms lives

Education is the circuit breaker that can end the cycle of intergenerational poverty. When you empower a person with education, you equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to fulfil their potential. They can improve their employment prospects, earn more income and, most importantly, lift themselves and their family out of poverty.

Like many women in Tanzania, Oliva didn’t have the opportunity to go to school. She runs a kiosk but her business was losing money because she couldn’t count. She felt embarrassed that she couldn’t read or write.