Children deserve every opportunity for success, and education paves the way for this success. However, for many across Guyana, access to education still remains a challenge.
Despite the many programmes instituted by the Education Ministry, the fact remains that many across this nation still cannot benefit due to many factors, key among which is poverty.
Quite recently, one television station aired a feature on a community in Region One, where many residents told the sad tale of not attending or not being able to finish school, because of affordability issues. It was heart-wrenching to listen to one mother explain that although she was never given the opportunity to attend school, she was trying her best to provide for her children so that they can have the prospects that she never did.
Most parents want the best for their children, but this mother lives in an already impoverished community where jobs are almost non-existent, as she explained; how then will she be able to ensure that her children have access to the necessary skills that will equip them to be productive members of society? This was her first priority when asked what was most important to her.
Let us be reminded that not only is education important in reducing poverty, it is also a key to wealth creation. This is just one example. Then there was the case of the 18-year-old who told of having to drop out of school so that her siblings could attend. These are two examples taken from a small community in one part of this country.
School reopened for the new term a few days ago and many other stories surfaced on social media of children missing out because their parents lacked the resources to adequately equip them for school; again these are stories about the situation in impoverished communities. Although this state of affairs is indeed grim, it is heartening to know that all is not lost and that organisations and businesses are stepping in to assist where they can and are providing the much-needed support to many parents. Children need books, clothes, stationery and the list goes on.
It is time that we remember the significance and benefits of community participation in education, and recognise that community participation is one of the strategies to improve educational access and quality. As a society, it is imperative that we band together to ensure that all of Guyana’s children are given a fighting chance.
Education takes place not only in schools but also within communities and societies. Since each group plays a different role in contributing to children’s education, there must be efforts to bridge the existing divides between them for the overall benefit of our nation’s children.
Many research studies have identified various ways of community participation in education, providing specific channels through which communities can be involved in children’s education. Let us make a concerted effort to learn about successful programmes which have been employed in other countries. It has been said before, but it needs to be said again, we will never eradicate poverty without quality education for all.
Education is a vital human right, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Every girl and every boy should have the right to a quality education so that they can have more chances in life, including employment opportunities, better health and also to participate in the political process.
This right also extends to persons living in poor communities; they are no less important, and family and communities need to work together to ensure that our future as a nation is built on a strong foundation of educated young people. Let us not turn a blind eye. The future is in our hands.
