Education has long been touted as the key to ending poverty, but is this statement truly accurate? And if it is, why aren’t we prioritizing education more? These are the questions that have lingered in my mind for years. The idea that educating a child can provide a solution for poverty sounds promising, doesn’t it? Now, picture this: what if one of the poorest nations in the world took on the challenge of educating as many children as possible? What would be the impact on that country? The mere notion of this possibility is awe-inspiring.
Currently, we find ourselves in a small town in Sierra Leone, but this is not solely about this specific place or country. It’s about the profound belief that education has the power to transform societies and create economic opportunities. Sierra Leone serves as the ultimate test for this vision, as the outcomes and developments that arise here will shape education policy in countless other nations. It’s a risky gamble, and we can only hope and pray that it succeeds, although the results are still unknown.
Now, let’s explore why this classroom in a Sierra Leone village is bursting with eager students. It all begins with a remarkable individual studying at a prestigious university. Meet David Sengeh, an engineering graduate from Harvard who obtained his Ph.D. from MIT. He is not only an accomplished author and musician but also a man passionate about changing his home country, Sierra Leone. Against a backdrop of socio-political challenges and the aftermath of a civil war and Ebola outbreak, Sengeh assumed the role of Minister of Education.
Sierra Leone, being one of the world’s poorest countries, has long struggled with access to education due to exorbitant school fees. However, Sengeh’s plan entails increasing the government’s expenditure on education, with education accounting for a fifth of the national budget. The aim is to make schooling accessible to all, free of charge. This groundbreaking education bill has already resulted in a 50% rise in enrollment. Take Alamatu, for example. She hails from a family unable to afford electricity, but thanks to Sengeh’s plan, she flourishes in school, experiencing a life-altering transformation. Alamatu is the first girl in her family to learn how to read and write, and she dreams of becoming a lawyer to uplift her family from the hardships they endure.
It’s worth mentioning that the implementation of education policies often faces considerable challenges on the ground, and there can be a stark contrast between what’s declared in the capital and reality. This is why it’s crucial to investigate further when we encounter school-age children devoid of uniforms, indicating that they may not be attending school. These circumstances led me to engage with some of these children to understand their situations better.
During my interactions, I discovered that these children are responsible for harvesting palm nuts to make oil, even though they should be in primary school. They are forced to pay school fees; otherwise, they may face corporal punishment. The bursar administers caning as a disciplinary measure, and an alarming number of children endure this punishment on a weekly basis. The prevalence of illegal fees, including school fees, book fees, and lunch fees, is distressing. Witnessing this reality deeply saddened me, as it contradicted the progress being made in education policy.
It’s vital to recognize that changing policies alone cannot transform a culture. Sengeh took steps to ban corporal punishment, yet canes still persistently exist in classrooms. Some teachers resort to physical discipline as a means of maintaining order, but for others, it’s a form of punishment for unpaid fees. Traditionally, teachers relied on these fees for their own survival and sustenance. The meager sums collected from pupils are insufficient to meet the needs of community teachers. Poverty often leads individuals to justify their own wrong actions, perpetuating a cycle that cannot be broken merely by implementing laws.
My intention in highlighting these issues is not to brand Sengeh and his colleagues as hypocrites or liars. On the contrary, I see genuine efforts and progress being made in Sierra Leone. They understand the importance of increasing enrollment and prioritizing educational outcomes. This focus on learning is the path to future prosperity, as exemplified by success stories in South Korea, Bangladesh, and China. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that many countries face a “learning crisis.” In other words, it’s relatively easy to enroll more children in schools, but ensuring they receive a quality education is a far more complex challenge.
Donors and politicians may revel in inaugurating newly built schools that provide visible symbols of progress, such as ribbons and plaques. However, the true test lies in cultivating a culture that fosters education, in ensuring that teachers are present and committed, and above all, in investing in the educational process itself. This last aspect, enhancing actual learning, is undeniably arduous. In Sierra Leone, approximately 22% of the national budget is allocated to education, seen not as a mere expense but as a long-term investment in the nation’s people. Education is the ultimate pathway out of poverty, whether we’re in Sierra Leone or South Dakota. However, this path remains broken for many underprivileged children. Fixing it requires immense dedication and effort, but witnessing the progress in Sierra Leone inspires hope.
Returning from one of the world’s poorest countries, I can’t help but reflect on the lessons it holds for the rest of the world. Despite the challenges, I remain hopeful, for education has the power to uplift societies and eradicate poverty.
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