UNESCO’s “Early Childhood Care and Education”
I read an article called, “Quality Education for All: A human rights issue.” This article covered equity and equality for children to receive an education that is equal for all In Latin America and the Caribbean children. I found out that public school is supposed to be available (free) for all children, but not all children have access and the cost that come with it families of poverty cannot afford, they have to pay for uniforms, school building etc. (p.28). Below are some figures of children enrolled in some form of education.
· Over 35.4 million individuals between the ages of 3 and 18 (24.7% of the total) are not enrolled in any kind of educational program.
· Of these, 34 million are in Latin American countries (25.9% of the sub-regional total) and nearly 1.3 million are located in the Caribbean (24.6% of the sub-regional total).
· In only five countries is at least 85% of this population in some kind of educational program of any level, and in seven countries this proportion is less than 70%. (Source: UNESCO (2007). The State of Education)
Another insight is the concern they have for teacher effectiveness and teacher preparedness. Just as we have been discussing in class this week will raising salaries and providing training be sufficient. They suggest that it is not sufficient (p.48). They recommend public policies should also require a teacher must have a responsibility to their work and commitment to the student learning. I like the word they use “professionalness” it has to do with a responsibility in fulfilling the mission assigned by society. It seems to encapsulate the need for internal motivation and passion to teach, and still offer a respectable wage. Below are some more statistics I thought were interesting, because education of our children often reflects the education of the parents. It is a cycle we are all trying to change.
Nearly 63 million people between the ages of 20 and 39 (36.5% of the total) have not finished
lower secondary education. To this figure one may add nearly 97 million more (56.2% of the total) if upper secondary education is included.
Reference
working team. (2007, February). Quality education for all: A human rights issue. Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001502/150273e.pdf
Very interesting statistics!
ReplyDeleteWith "nearly 63 million people between the ages of 20 and 39" who have not finished....that is definitely a cycle that needs to be changes.
Now that my child is in school, I am seeing all of the costs that come along with public education. Fortunately she is not required to wear a uniform, but I feel that we are constantly sending money in for something! In our school district this year they are charging a fee to ride the school bus and play sports. I feel that it is not acceptable for schools to be "free" yet charge families for things such as required uniforms and transportation.
Great post!
I found your blog post very interesting. It is disturbing to read that the schools are "free", but really they are not. I started thinking about this and thought about the city schools near me. They are required to have uniforms. I wonder if they can't afford this, what happens and if there is assistance available.
ReplyDeleteThe information that you gained was very interesting. The fact that there is “free” schooling, yet families still cannot afford to send their children is upsetting. There should be some type of program that helps with obtaining uniforms and paying the other fees that they may have. I also agree that higher salaries and training isn’t sufficient. We need more dedicated teachers with the passion and patience to educate our children. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWow, those statistics are very interesting. I agree professionalness is a great word to use to describe the responsibility that all educators have to holding their school and organizational standards. As sad as it is I do not know that there is such an option of “free” public school. It is very important that everyone realizes that children are missing out simply due to the addition of fees for such items, as transportation and uniforms.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job,
Schlee