Why Expanding Access to Quality Education is Vital

Why Expanding Access to Quality Education is Vital

Written By: Jared Glassman

In nations worldwide, education is the key to building a future filled with success and prosperity. From providing strong study skills to a background in public speaking and communication, a quality education goes a long way for those lucky enough to receive one. Unfortunately, not all people have access to the gift of quality education, an issue that needs urgent attention worldwide. A quality education ultimately is associated with reduced poverty, decreased crime, and promotes gender equality.

The first reason that access to quality education needs to be expanded is that that will lead to dramatic reductions in poverty worldwide. An excerpt by University of the People states, “According to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, each additional year of schooling increases a person’s earnings by about 10%. Moreover, it’s been shown that for each $1 invested in additional education, average incomes increase by $5 in low-income countries and $2.50 in lower-middle income countries” (Article 1). The previous statement asserts the strong correlation between increased education and financial stability,  demonstrating the need for leaders to do everything within their power to ensure their people have the “building blocks” for success. Furthermore, research conducted by the Habitat for Humanity of Broward showed how a better educational background leads to more opportunities for work: “People with higher education and varied experience are more likely to get high-paying, expert jobs. Study hard, dedicate your time and effort to acquire knowledge and reach a high level of competence if you would like to lead a comfortable lifestyle” (Article 2). Quality education often proceeds fiscal success in life, as employers will feel more comfortable and secure “investing” in a worker who has a solid educational background—knowing that their employee has studied hard in their respective field and thus has overcome obstacles to get to where they are. As a result, when higher-ups question if a potential worker can rise to the occasion, an excellent education settles that concern. On the other hand, someone with a lackluster educational background may not be a risk worth taking to employers, making it hard to get a job and make a living. With that all being said, if leaders can get more people in the classroom, their nations will surely be happier and, more importantly, a prosperous place for all.

The second reason access to quality education is vital is that it lowers violence and crime in societies. In an article written by Shelley Orman published in Fox Baltimore, the author points out studies and theories that show a correlation between low graduation rates and high crime: “Is there an answer to stop the rocketing crime rates? Baltimore is on pace for more than two thousand murders in just six years. For a city in crisis, rising crime rates may be a symptom of a broken public education system. If you look at graduation rates, Baltimore’s are below the national average.” Ms. Orman later quoted Dr. Rashawn Ray, a professor of sociology at the University of Maryland College Park: “‘If we look at the relationship between education and crime rates, one big thing we know is that higher levels of school graduation rates, even high school, could result in 100,000 fewer crimes- just crimes, writ large’ says Dr. Rashawn Ray” (3). The pattern in Baltimore of low graduation rates and high crime exposes a significant problem within society. These claims backed by scholars show the critical need to expand access to quality education in poorer minority communities, as governments worldwide should protect their people. Communities are safer and better off when their people are educated, as they have healthy things to do to keep them busy. Leaders must do whatever they can to expand the availability for people to receive degrees, as it will make their municipalities safer.

A further reason why access to quality education is critical is that it will ultimately promote gender equality. More people getting educated across gender lines will eventually result in a more diverse and robust workforce. In an excerpt in the Borgen Magazine, the author describes precisely why quality education leads to an equal society for all: “For instance, almost two-thirds of the world’s 775 million illiterate adults are women. This lack of education often deprives them of better job opportunities. In addition, access to education improves options for girls and women. In fact, a woman’s earnings can increase by 10-20 percent with each additional school year” (Article 4). This evidence supports the idea that access to quality education will increase gender equality, as when women receive more education, they have more significant opportunity to “climb up the social ladder.” As a whole, our leaders must make sure the world is an open and accessible place for all to pursue their dreams, regardless of race, gender, and creed. Education is the key to making the world a better place.

Overall, access to a quality education opens so many doors for people to live better lives. It is up to leaders in this world to make sure that the people they govern and care about can be the beneficiaries of education, and the facts and evidence make this abundantly clear. We all want to do our part to make the world a better place, and getting more people in schools and classrooms is a great way to do so.

Works Cited: 

Image: 

“What Is the Significance of Education? - FreeEducator.com.” 2021 Free Study - 2022,     Nov. 2019, www.freestudy.com/what-is-the-significance-of-education/. Accessed 7 Sept. 2021.

Article 1:

“How Education as a Human Right Is Changing the World We Live In.” University of the People, 10 Dec. 2018, www.uopeople.edu/blog/how-education-as-a-human-right-is-changing-the-world-we-live-in/.

Article 2:

Broward, Habitat. “10 Benefits Showing Why Education Is Important to Our Society.” Habitat for Humanity, 20 Jan. 2020, www.habitatbroward.org/benefits-of-education/.

Article 3: 

Orman, Shelley. “Looking at the Correlation between Crime and Education.” WBFF, 28 May 2020, foxbaltimore.com/news/local/looking-at-the-correlation-between-crime-and-education.

Article 4: 

Mehruba Chowdhury. “Top 10 Unexpected Benefits of Education - the Borgen Project.” BORGEN, 13 Jan. 2018, www.borgenmagazine.com/top-10-benefits-of-education/.