The Issues
Why is Education so Important?
Education and the Millennium Development Goals
Early Childhood Education
The Situation in Colombia
Why is education so important?
Education is a human right and yet 72 million children and 774 million adults are still denied access to education. Those denied an education are the world’s poorest and most marginalized citizens - the very people who could benefit the most from the opportunities education provides. Some facts: 
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Ninety seven percent of children not in school live in developing countries.
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A third of all children out of school have a disability.
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Sixty percent of all children out of school are grils.
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Ninety-four percent of refugee girls don’t get to finish school.
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Nearly 250 million children are forced to work to help support their families.
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More than 18 million extra teachers will be needed in the next decade if we are going to every child with a quality primary education.
Education is a powerful weapon in the fight against poverty. Lack of education stunts economic development and has left nearly one billion adults without the basic skills to survive. A single year of primary school increases the wages people earn later in life by 5-15% for boys and even more for girls. For each additional year of secondary school, an individual’s wages increase by 15-25%. In fact, no country has ever achieved continuous and rapid economic growth without first having at least 40% literacy.
Education is linked to better health and longer lives. A child born to a literate mother is 50% more likely to survive past age five. Scientists estimate that seven million HIV/AIDS cases could be prevented in the next decade if every child received an education.
Education and the Millennium Development Goals
In 2000, 189 countries promised to make education a reality for all people as part of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. The richest countries pledged to support developing countries’ efforts, agreeing to six goals:
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Expand early childhood care and learning
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Provide free and compulsory primary Education for All by 2015
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Promote learning and life skills for young people and adults
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Increase adult literacy by 50%, especially for women
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Eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005
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Improve all aspects of education, especially for basic skills
Unfortunately, the world is falling behind on its promises. Right now, 52 countries are on track to miss the 2015 goals. It will cost an estimated $10 billion annually to achieve universal education by 2015. This may seem like a lot of money but, as a comparison, that is how much the United States spends on ice cream each year.
The task is daunting, but it is possible to achieve. The Education Fast Track initiative, a World Bank led program to increase education funding in the developing world, has made some progress, but more must be done. Donor countries must fulfill their pledges and developing countries must prioritize education.
For more information on Education and the Millennium Development Goals, please visit:
Early Childhood Education
Most brain development occurs during the first three years of life, yet only 53% of countries provide any form of early childhood development services, including support for parents, proper nutrition and health care or pre-school education. These services are critical to a child’s chance at a quality education. A poor child who receives high quality early childhood education and stimulation is 40% less likely to require special education, 30% more likely to complete secondary school and twice as likely to attend college. On average, early childhood education has an economic return of $17 for each $1 invested. In addition, early childhood development programs are linked to reduced crime and anti-social behavior.
The Situation in Colombia
Quick Facts about Colombia
- Conflict >
- Almost four million people have been displaced by the conflict since 1985
- Colombia is one of the three countries with the highest numbers of internally displaced people
- An estimated 3,000 civilians die every year in the civil conflict
- Education >
- Over forty-nine percent of the population live below the poverty line.
- Twenty-three percent of children do not finish primary school.
- Only 10% of the population has access to the internet.
- There are 5.7 million child laborers in Latin America.
- Poverty >
- Six million people earn less than they need to survive in Colombia.
- Twelve percent of children younger than five years suffer from stunting because of lack of food.
- Fourteen percent of the population does not have adequate sanitation.
- Seven percent of the population does not have access to safe water
History of Conflict
Colombia has been devastated by 40 years of violent conflict between leftist guerrillas, right-wing paramilitary groups and Colombian armed forces. The BBC estimates that at least 3,000 civilians are killed each year in this war. The conflict is fueled by drug trafficking, kidnap for ransom and corruption schemes.
Civilians have suffered most during the protracted conflict as thousands of villages were bombarded and burned. Many documented cases of attacks on civilians include massacres and forced displacement.
Education
Colombia has yet to make the internationally recognized right to education a reality. It has the only constitution in the region which does not guarantee free primary school education. Many of its children cannot attend school because they have been displaced by violence, must work to support their families, or their families simply cannot afford school fees and supplies. Those lucky enough to attend school are faced with crumbling schools and a shortage of trained teachers.
The Global Campaign for Education ranks Colombia the lowest in educational achievement in Latin America.
Poverty
Colombia, South America’s fourth largest country, is rich in resources and culture, yet half of its population lives below the poverty line. Colombia suffered an economic crisis during the 1990s and, while its economy is beginning to improve, these improvements are not equally shared. Latin America has the world’s largest gap between rich and poor. In Colombia, the poorest 40% of the population own only 9% of the wealth.
The depth of poverty and social inequality mean that the chance of escaping poverty is extremely slim; Generations of families live and die in poverty. Child labor is a serious problem for poor Colombian families. Many children are forced to leave school in order to help support their families.
Displaced People
Colombia’s long-running conflict has had a devastating effect on civilians who have been brutally attacked by both sides. Villages are routinely attacked and bombarded by armed groups. Colombia is one of the world’s three countries with the highest numbers of internally displaced people. Almost four million people have fled their homes since 1985.
However, the nightmare doesn’t end once people have left their homes; displaced people are forced to travel long distances in terrible conditions and are vulnerable to poverty, violence, disease and family separation. Displaced families leave their homes behind and must often live without adequate housing or access to food, water, medicine or schooling.
For more information on the situation in Colombia, visit these links:
Education and Poverty in Colombia
Refugees and IDPs in Colombia
