THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION?

SOUTH AFRICAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

“Education [should] become a human right for all, and no longer a privilege.” This was declared by the delegate of the United States in the Social, Cultural, & Humanitarian Committee in today’s debate. The council struggled to come to a common consensus on the definition of an Inclusive and Equitable Education for all in its progress to achieving SDG Goal 4.

The needs of education systems in developed and underdeveloped countries are vastly different in terms of their fundamental circumstances as a nation, such as their economic development and physical safety. Developing countries face multiple hindrances in the education sector that have conspired from a scarcity mindset, while wealthier countries, on the other hand, manage issues that are multifaceted and advanced. To name a few that was discussed today, developing countries mentioned the impacts of child labour motivated by poverty, as well as the cultural, physical and financial barriers that children face in their right to education. The lack of proper infrastructure further diminishes the quality of education in these countries. In contrast, many developed countries brought up the issue of elitism, inequalities in the domain of higher education, as well as the digitalisation of education, which arrives from the perspective that access to education has already been gained (which is not the case for the children of many developing countries in the council). They aspire to collaborate in making e-learning more accessible and more affordable in the Covid-19 situation, but the delegates of underdeveloped countries were unable to contribute actively as a result of their existing poor economic development as a country.

The delegates of developed countries do display awareness of the needs of underdeveloped nations. Many of these delegates did push for the recognition of unmet basic needs (such as the need for water and shelter) of students in underdeveloped countries towards the end of the debate. Blocs have already begun to form among countries of varying interests. However, it is unclear if the delegates of developed countries do possess genuine altruism in providing aid for the improvement of infrastructures and access to education in underdeveloped countries. Modern-day problems of education have blinded the eyes of these delegates, distracting them from the dire conditions of children without access to education in underdeveloped countries. This leaves the delegates of underdeveloped countries rather helpless as delegates from wealthier countries push for more advanced concerns and reforms in education systems worldwide.

Scaling the issue down to South Africa, the SABC recognises that efforts must be made to improve the physical security of schools here. However, we do emphasise that the Republic of South Africa has already made measures to combat these insecurities in our education system. An anti-bullying campaign was launched to encourage learners to report bullying and be more aware of drug use at schools. Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Regina Mhaule says that bullying is deeply rooted and it needs to be addressed at homes and schools, highlighting the importance for our country to increase the safety of our learning environments (SABC, 2021).

References:

Sithole, H. (2021, 5 28). Education Department launches anti-bullying campaign in schools. SABC. Retrieved 6 7, 2021, from https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/education-department-launches-anti-bullying-campaign-in-schools/