Speech about education

Speech: education

Education. Why is it so important to get an education? For now, let's think about it, let's ask ourselves some questions. How do you get to school? Do you have difficulties to do so? Do you think you will go to college later? Look at yourself. Do you think your school situation is the most common?

    We'll find out right away. The reality is that there are many children in the world who are not in school. And that is terrible! "How many?" you may ask.

    I answer. 16% of adults are illiterate in the world, that is 800 million! In addition, the illiteracy rate in the world is twice as high among women as among men: 20% of girls against 11% of boys have not learned to read or write.

    Because yes, when it comes to education, there is a significant gender difference. Worldwide, 16% of girls are not in school, compared to 15% of boys. But there are places where the majority of women do not have access to education: for example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, more than half, 54%, of them do not attend secondary school. However, receiving an education is essential for women to be free and autonomous, especially economically. Otherwise, they will surely be dependent on a male person such as their husband, brother, or father.

The African continent is the continent most affected by child exploitation and illiteracy. With 40% of children between 5 and 14 years old, even though it is forbidden before the age of 15, 80 million children have to work as adults. 2 out of 5 children work in mines and farms. Can you imagine being told that you have to work 6 days a week in a mine?

For example, in Tanzania 4,600 children between 5 and 10 years old work in the extractive industry (mining, oil extraction...) and 8 year old children dig in mines 30 meters deep, without ventilation, nor light and risking their lives and never went to school.

It is also important to know that even if there are still big differences, the situation is improving. This shows that it can be changed!

Let's continue. What do you think about the number of people who are lucky enough to be able to go to university?

    Probably much less than you think! Only 23% of the world's population has access to higher education.

But why is it so important to be educated? Well, for several reasons. First of all, because education builds a child's personality, understanding of other cultures, the beginning of decision making, etc... Moreover, education fights against poverty! It is very important to have an education in order to be able to access a job, and thus have the opportunity to earn money, and change the cycle of poverty of their family. So it is very important to be able to go to university!

    Finally, I'll go back to my question from the beginning. How do you come to school? Surely, without any problem. Well, you should know that this is not the most common situation worldwide. There are children who have to travel long distances, experience dangerous situations, like swimming, or even climbing mountains, to get to their school.

    You've seen all the inequalities and problems in education! Well, I say to you that this is unacceptable, and I propose to you to try to change this, and that the society does everything possible to finish with these horrible events.

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