Since 1967, the International Literacy Day It is celebrated on September 8 every year around the world to remind us of the importance of literacy as dignity factor and of human rights, as well as to achieve progress in the literacy agenda with a view to a more educated and sustainable society.
In addition, starting in 2020, September 9th marks the International Day to Protect Education from Attacks thanks to an official decree established by the UN. Its main objective is protect all children and young people from all over the world from suffering armed attacks, natural disasters, diseases or some type of aggression that could threaten their lives, in addition to guaranteeing them a safe environment for their comprehensive education and training.
Despite the achievements made, challenges persist, since 773 million adults in the world do not have basic literacy skills.
How do conflict situations affect the schooling of children and adolescents?
One in four children living in a conflict-torn country does not go to school. The case of girls is more dramatic: girls who live in these contexts face a 2.5 times greater probability of being out of school compared to boys.
According to studies carried out by UNICEF, stopping going to school poses risks both in the short and long term. In the short term, their chances of being a victim of trafficking, labor exploitation, early marriage, and recruitment into combat increase. In the long term, they are missing the opportunity to build your future.
Furthermore, returning to the classroom after a traumatic or conflict situation helps create a routine that can help minors overcome trauma. Teachers are key elements for protection of minors since it can identify more serious cases and refer them, at the same time that in many schools other cases are attended to. basic needs such as food, hygiene and sanitation.
What other factors affect children's schooling?
There are multiple factors that determine the schooling possibilities of minors and their continuity in the educational system. Among them are:
- Poverty Boys and girls from poor households in the developing world are on average three times less likely to attend primary school than those from the richest 20%.
- The educational level of their mothers. Around 75% of boys and girls who do not receive primary education in developing countries are children of women who were also unable to attend school.
Are there differences between boys and girls in terms of schooling?
Parity in school is a goal established by the United Nations as part of the Millennium Development Goals.
Although the gender difference In primary school attendance has decreased throughout the world, it is still too marked in many places on the planet. The barriers that prevent girls from attending school in the developing world not only detract from opportunities for the future, but they have repercussions on their health and survival.
The role of the international community in schooling.
All countries must begin to consider education as a fundamental human right, and not as a luxury that is offered where budgets allow it.
Education is afundamental rightof all people, and as such is included in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Furthermore, it is thesocial mobility mechanismmost effective that exists since it prevents the vicious circle of poverty from perpetuating itself, promotes equal opportunities and reduces social inequality.
Education is the powerful tool of transformation: it allows us to promote human rights and sustainable development, and thus build a more just and equitable future for all people.
All this and much more in our Intervention with Minors program.
