Around the world, people of all ages feel the effects of an educated society—or the lack thereof. In third world countries in particular, education is often viewed as more of a privilege unattainable by many than a right for all. A number of common undertones inform why academic achievement is out of reach for the majority of third world residents; the good news is that by understanding what causes educational inequality and lack of access, charities and kindhearted people around the world can work to fix this situation and improve the lives of people around the world.

Funding

One of the primary challenges facing children seeking to attend school is funding. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all children, regardless of financial status, should have access to education. This has prompted schools around the world to reduce or even eliminate school fees, but this is not yet ubiquitous. Many schools in third world countries continue to require fees in order to attend, and for families at or below the poverty level, this may be a bridge too far.

Even if the school itself does not charge a fee, compulsory items such as pens and notebooks can place a severe financial burden on low-income families that may prevent them from being able to afford schooling. And because many children in third world countries are relied upon as an additional source of income, schooling means not only losing a portion of an already small income (as one worker takes up education) but also paying additional fees for the schooling itself.

Resources

Many third world countries struggle to offer appropriate educational resources. In one out of every three countries, less than 75% of teachers are sufficiently trained, and classrooms are either nonexistent or severely underfunded in many locations. Some schools in education-sparse countries like Malawi lack basic amenities like running water or toilets, and as many as 130 students may be in one classroom together.

A lack of Learning materials is also a significant contributor to the education crisis. Outdated textbooks are common, and in some countries like Cameroon, there are as many as 13 students to every one textbook. Teachers are responsible for supplying their own workbooks and other core materials, and in countries where these teachers likely did not receive sufficient education themselves, they may be no better off financially than their students. 

Unfortunately, most third world countries have little or no allocation of government money toward education, which places a high demand on foreign aid. Despite this, only 20% of global educational aid goes to low-income countries. However, small contributions can make a world of difference; it currently costs $1.25 per day to send a child to school for 13 years. If each country were able to allocate just 15 more per child, many more individuals would be in a financial situation to attend schooling. This is where the comprehensive work of charities and generous donors comes in, to cover the gaps that low-income countries are unable to bridge themselves. Just 15 cents per day amounts to less than $55 per year to grant access to education for a child.

Exclusion

One of the primary drivers behind increasingly poor education in third world countries is the variety of factors that drive exclusion and inequality in schooling. What immediately comes to mind is likely the gender divide, which sees fewer girls attending school due not only to gender bias, but also to lack of access to critical products like menstrual pads that allow them to attend with dignity. One in three girls marries before the age of 18 in the developing world, which typically requires them to drop out of school if they did attend in the first place.

In addition, distance to schooling or general school availability in zones of conflict also impact access to academia. And because many poverty-stricken households are rural, this issue only compounds for those most at risk. Disabled children also face an uphill battle to attend schooling; up to 95% of children with disabilities in the world’s poorest countries never attend school at all. Discrimination and lack of proper training for teachers means that disabled students who do make it to the classroom are suspended or expelled more than twice as often as their non-disabled peers.

What to Do

The global education crisis still has a long way to go before equal academic opportunities are presented to all people of all geographical locations and genders. Change cannot come on its own, and that is why charities rely on people like you to share a little of their good fortune. Even a small donation can mean the difference between an educational opportunity for a child and a missed chance at a better outcome in life.