Affordable, Quality Education for Developing Countries

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There is a serious lack of affordable, quality education in developing nations today. Though there have been increases in global school enrollment over the last decade, there are still
115 million children not attending school in the third world. Of the children who start school,

150 million do not complete four years (Center for Gloval Development, 2004). For a nation to be successful, it must have a healthy, educated, and productive populace. Fundamental education skills form the basis for future learning, and education is an integral part of economic development.
Problems with education in the developing world are the same facing education in the developed world: overcrowded classrooms, poorly trained teachers, and lack of teaching materials (White, 2013). Additionally, schools in the third world are not free, public institutions. Many charge impoverished families exorbitant fees for enrollment and tuition. In addition to the base charges, families must also pay for food, uniforms, and school supplies (White, 2013). The amount of money a family might spend to educate a child can be prohibitive for those most in need of education.
Mark Epstein and Kristi Yuthas, of the Stanford Social Innovation Review, also argue that the Western model of education utilized in developing nations, leave students ill-prepared for dealing with the realities of their situations (2012). In many poor countries, there is a lack of formal employment and institutes of higher learning. Most students will return to their homes

and support themselves and their families with subsistence-level farming (Epstein & Yuthas, Winter 2012). The Western emphasis on academic skills does not help further the situation of many students.
There are many ways to improv...

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...e goals, the EFA works with partners in NGO’s, civil societies, regional aid agencies, and national governments. Cooperation with organizations already working in the developing world is key to implementing education strategies.

Overall, the education systems in developing nations are slowly improving; though more work needs to be done. Combining increased funding with a life and health skills curriculum, can make drastic improvements in the lives of those who are able to attend and finish school. Lowering costs and working to ensure free, universal education will encourage greater enrollment. Education is vital to the future and continued success of developing nations. The developed world must come together for the future of the entire world. It is time to seek out and implement the interventions that lead to the greatest social and economic impact for the poor.

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