DETERMINANTS OF CHILDREN’S NON PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION
In all parts of the world and especially among developing countries education is a basic needs and it is the only gift that a person can give to themselves. Parents find it important to set aside their budget for education to secure their children’s needs; they may even be engage in many educational programs and insurance as their investment for the benefit of their children. Education is a very important instrument it can open up opportunities when their children grows. In other countries it is their way to reduce poverty, achieve economic growth, live a worthy life and it is the solution to attain their goal to be respected in the society. In richer countries education is more important to take away ignorance so that they can take care of their business or held a higher position in the community in the future.
But in different countries there are various constraints to keep their children in school participation that discouraged some families and even children to keep up their studies. Children who left schooling at an early age does not exhibit so much changes and development potentials and usually they are left behind most of these children are trapped in early child labor that has stolen their dreams. Some children and family lose hope to pursue education because they are contented on their situation and that they may not even experience what lies in their future, they prefer to live this way, they are the school drop outs including those who never learn to read and write.
Socio Economic Factor – this is one of the most highly predicted determinants that prevents the children to participate in education because they may not be able to afford various expenses including basic necessities of their child including uniform, books and school supplies so they settle of dreaming maybe they send their children if only they can afford such expenses. This results in sending their children to the farm, market or doing only household chores just to save their budget only for necessity and emergency use. The data from United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) shows that from Sub Saharan Africa form grade 1 to grade 5 there are 66% to 77% are left when children reached to graduate in elementary because of Socio- Economic Factors and millions of children do not finish elementary grades worldwide.
Geographic and Demographic Location – is another determinant that can hinder a child to go to schools. Most of the governments can provide basic education service from local to regional networks but this is only limited to the government budget that there are various locations that they cannot reach, students will have to walk on miles to visit such schools this cases are naturally hampering their motivation and it even leads to danger when children needs to cross oceans and mountains. There is also lack of transportation so they may need to use their foot and it takes hours to go back and forth to their home and school almost every-day except weekend.
Lack of Facilities and Infrastructure – Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) as of 2009 including other survey company have found various locations including countries in Bolivia, Malawi, Peru, Philippines and Indonesia, Malaysia, Columbia and other Asian and African Countries that their building and infrastructure are full and non conducive to education. In the Philippines they found many provinces who uses their libraries, walkways including comfort room and under the trees as an alternative classroom. There are also some classrooms that accommodate at least 50 students when they suppose to handle only a maximum of 30 in a class. Teachers and social workers also find it hard to control and maintain children as big as 60 per class.
There are many other determinants including lack of teachers, lack of government support funds, secular and gender problem, overloaded enrollees etc. and this are just some of it that can lead to children’s less participation in school. Specifically this has been experienced in developing countries; the implication of lack of education from such countries definitely leads to poverty driven way of life, lack of opportunity and job placement most of all their stagnant future. No one is to blame in their situations but poverty however should not be a hindrance, families themselves should find ways to create opportunities to take their children to school even in their modest means. They should also prioritize education for their children which is indeed important. Children are the future and education is their tools.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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