The essence of education in the modern world; accessibility, quality, and obstacles on the way of educational systems
In this class, we are all students with our current learning obligations and challenges. The learning process can be mild and entertaining, or it can take a lot of time and effort, depending on multiple influencing factors. We unintentionally overlook that even in the 21st century, a decent education for many remains an expensive privilege. According to the UN, 103 million young people around the world do not have basic literacy. More than 60% of them are women with no right to decide. Significant progress has already been made in primary education worldwide. However, some locations like parts of sub-Saharan Africa acutely proceed to lag far behind. Even more ambiguous is the situation with higher education, for which students of even developed countries still have to take large debts.
Prevailing questions related to the modern education system
The inclinations of the modern world are rapidly shifting, affecting the general approach and matters for the learning process. People have varying views on this matter: someone reasonably considers that the quality of education directly impacts the whole track of life, someone relies profoundly on personal skills. However, the significance of the sufficient rate of literacy and professionalism in the working field remains unchanged. Therefore, we need to pay particular attention to the following questions:
- Are there any urgent issues with the level and accessibility of education?
- The price of good learning and a prosperous future. Are these interrelated things?
- Is the educational system effective enough to apply the skills acquired shortly after graduation?
Considering all of the above, we can proceed to discuss current educational difficulties and strategies in modern schooling practices. I assume that by the end of the presentation, the central dilemma will be identified, and we will discuss a potential solution collectively.
The changes the education system has experienced lately
- The modern pattern is more inclusive and expansive.
- The remaining gap between genders and followers of distinct religions.
- Implementing a digital model of information acquisition and delivery.
- Some areas still need to be precisely developed.
- The more individualized and adaptable teaching model.
- The lack of awareness or compassion to assist exceptional students.
In recent years, there have been significant positive changes in the system. However, at every successful step forward, there are still sketchy parts to develop.
- Many more people are eligible for education, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
- However, some educational institutions still do not target minorities.
- People with health issues or living on the other side of the world can get degrees online.
- However, students better perceive the material in the classroom via live communication.
- New techniques and modifications in schooling policies and materials are constantly emerging.
- The modern world dictates the importance of individuality, but students are graded on the standards with little emphasis on individual capacities.
The price of good learning and a prosperous future
In 2020, the total US student debt was over $ 1.67 trillion, with above 44.7 million students affected.
Research has shown that difficulties in paying off student debt are an acute dilemma for many US universities. High prices for tuition and study materials leave students no other choice. For example, students at New York University averagely could borrow $ 116,000. However, their average income two years after graduation was only $ 42,000 a year. In such cases, debt repayment can take several years, especially in the art and human science professions, where salaries are lower compared to the tech sector. On this slide, you can observe a chart showing the soaring inflation in education over the past decades. The reasons for the rise in tuition fees are as follows: administrative bloat, overdevelopment on campus, a defective performance model clinging on high-paying employment, and the easy availability of subsidized student loans.
Is the educational system effective enough?
The main question remains open: is our education system sufficiently good?
In the diagram on the left, you can see the growing number of young people between the ages of 15 and 25 who are not active in the labor market. The job search might contain numerous obstacles. Often educational institutions do not provide comprehensive data on what awaits students in after-graduation life. The table on the right shows the percentage of respondents who detect a correlation between knowledge gained and current work position. The connection is shockingly little. Most respondents emphasize soft skills, which is not surprising in an overcrowded labor market, where self-presentation and conversation skills are essential. Do you now have the experience and skills you need to find a job right after graduation?
Call to Action
With all that said beforehand, let’s collectively consider which problems are of utmost concern and how they can be resolved. Feel free to share your own experiences and worries. It is great if you already have experience searching for a job in a relevant field of activity. How do you see your ultimate job search, and what are you missing right now (resume writing lessons, job fairs, working on soft skills, internships)?
Are you willing to begin making changes to our school locally? Try to assess your level of comfort in the educational institution and the learning process. Have you encountered any manifestations of discrimination or difficulties in the training system itself?
If not, then let’s just speculate it based on our experiences and consciousness.
References
Avdeeva, Tatiana, et al. “Problems and Prospects of Higher Education System Development in Modern Society”. European Research Studies Journal, vol. 20, no. 4B, 2017, pp. 112–124.
Burner, Tony. “Why is Educational Change So Difficult and How Can We Make It More Effective?” Forskning&Forandring, vol. 1, no. 1, 2018, p. 122.
Nissen, Sylvia, et al. “Student debt and wellbeing: a research agenda”. Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, vol. 14, no. 2, 2019, pp. 245–256.
Flores, Roseanne L. “The Rising Gap between Rich and Poor: A Look at the Persistence of Educational Disparities in the United States and Why We Should Worry”. Edited by Jamie Halsall. Cogent Social Sciences, vol. 3, no. 1, 2017.