"Education has shaped my life and the history of my country. I grew up in a society ravaged by war and mired in poverty. Schools had been destroyed. My classes were held in the open under a tree. We had no desks, chairs or other basic necessities. The Republic of Korea was on its knees, but education enabled the country to stand tall again ... Even in the worst circumstances, education helps to give children confidence to face the future. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, I want every child, without exception, to have the same opportunity that I had."
Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, 2012
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has personally led the Global Education First Initiative. Launched in September 2012, the initiative includes, among other aims, the Educate-a-Child program. This program seeks to get all children into schools and bring high quality learning to children who have no access to formal schooling. This is seen as the key factor to improving the living conditions and future wellbeing of millions of children.
1. Research the Global Education First Initiative, describe what its 3 main goals are.
Benefits to education
Many social researchers believe that the key to improving human wellbeing around the world, particularly in poorer communities, is to improve participation rates in education.
The benefits to society are multiplied when girls are able to access an education at the same rate and level as boys. Studies show that mothers who have attended school have a lowered risk of their babies falling victim to infant mortality, have fewer children and earn more than mothers who are less educated. Children born to these women are 50 per cent more likely to live past the age of five and have much lower rates of HIV infection than children born to less educated mothers.
China
Over the past 40 years the Chinese government has made a real effort to get more children into education for longer periods. This push has included increasing the education levels of girls. Educating girls has had many benefits for Chinese society. Educated women generally want smaller families and make better use of reproductive health and family planning services to achieve their desired family size (see Source 5.7). Educated women contribute more to the economy and help increase economic growth. With China’s booming economy, China now has 68 per cent of women in paid employment. This is a higher rate than Australia (which has 59 per cent).
What makes a successful education happen in schools?
2. ‘Education provides much more than the opportunity to read, write and count.’ Explain this statement using examples from Source 5.9.
3. Examine Source 5.7.
a Describe the change in the education of women between 1970 and 2009.
b How is this linked to the poster in Source 5.8?
4. Mahatma Gandhi, a leader of the Indian nationalist movement in the early 20th century, once said ‘Educate one man, you educate one person, but educate a woman and you educate a whole civilisation’. What
do you think he meant by this? Do you agree? Write a paragraph outlining your thoughts.
Lesson 2
Virtual Reality!
Download the Google cardboard app and search these up on your phone or watch them on the laptop screen.
|
|