Student Voice - What Does 'Educational Equality' Mean ?
Everyone should have the same opportunities in
life. No one should be discriminated against
because of social background, gender, religion,
or age. But the real world seldom lives up to
those ideals.
The idea of equality has brought immense change
across the world within a few centuries, but
educational equality remains an issue for many
countries especially South frica. UNESCO wants
to change this with its Education for All
project.
In total, 164 participating countries have
agreed to a number of goals for UNESCO's
project. They aim to make basic education free
and available to all children, cut the rate of
adult illiteracy in half, and guarantee equal
treatment for all.
According to Mark Richmond, who directs UNESCO’s
Division of Education for Peace and Sustainable
Development, the first step in solving the
education problem is to raise people's
expectations.
"Everyone has the right to an education. The
more we demand it, the more governments will
take notice and include it in their laws, the
more people will expect it," he said.
Corruption and poverty often hinder educational
opportunities in poorer countries. Poor families
simply do not have the financial means to pay
for school tuition, books, or school uniforms.
