In the 21st century, education is a process that begins long before formal schooling and continues throughout an individual’s lifetime. It encompasses both formal and informal learning experiences, such as those gained through family, friends, work, play and other daily activities. The National Education Association defines education as “the continuing process through which people develop the abilities, attitudes and knowledge needed to live, work and take part in society.”
Today, most experts agree that educational opportunities should be available to all individuals regardless of social class, race or gender. In many countries around the world, governments have made strides toward providing equal access to education. However, there are still significant disparities in educational attainment between different groups of people. For example, according to UNESCO data from 2015/16*, 68% of adults aged 25 years and over had completed upper secondary education globally; but this figure was just 37% for women in sub-Saharan Africa.
*The latest year for which data is available
There is a wealth of research evidence that shows the importance of investing in quality education – especially for disadvantaged children and young people. Studies have shown that every additional year of schooling can increase an individual’s earnings by 10%. This return on investment is even higher for women: one estimate suggests that an extra year of primary school boosts a girl’s eventual wages by 20%, while an extra year of secondary schooling increases them by 25%.
Quality education also has important spillover effects on society as a whole. Countries with more educated populations tend to have lower crime rates and less corruption, and better health outcomes. They are also more likely to experience economic growth.
So what does quality education look like? A number of factors have been found to be associated with improved educational outcomes:
– Trained teachers: Teachers need adequate training so that they can effectively support their students’ learning. In some countries teacher training programmes are not well developed or sufficiently linked to actual classroom practice; as a result newly qualified teachers may lack the skills they need to teach effectively. – Classroom resources: All classrooms should have basic resources such as textbooks, blackboards or whiteboards (and markers), desks or tables for students; additionally science classrooms may require laboratory equipment etc., while art rooms might need materials for painting or sculpture etc.. – Smaller class sizes: Smaller classes allow teachers to give more individual attention to each student which can lead to better academic performance – particularly among disadvantaged children who often enter school behind their peers academically – School infrastructure: Schools need safe buildings with enough light and ventilation; sanitation facilities; electricity; water etc.. – Inclusive environments: It is important that schools provide a safe environment where every child feels welcome regardless of gender, ethnicity or disability With advances in technology , new approaches to teaching and learning are becoming possible which hold great promise for improving educational outcomes globally . Some examples include : Online/Blended Learning : Technology can be usedto supplement traditional face-to-face instruction . For example , online courses can provide flexible learning opportunities for working adults who wantto improve their job prospects by gaining new skills . Additionally , online learning platforms allow educators anywhere in the worldto share high-quality contentand connect with learners in other parts of the globe . Mobile Learning : Mobile devices suchas phonesand tabletsare increasingly being usedfor teachingand learningin schools , collegesand universities . Mobile technologies offer new waysfor educators toprovide contentand engage with learners . For example , apps can be usedto deliver course materialssuch as lectures , readingsand quizzes ; track attendance ; monitor progress ; conduct assessmentsetc… Gamification : Gamificationis the useof game designelementsin non-game contexts . When appliedto educationgamificationcan makelearningmore engagingby addingcompetition , rewardsor levelsto pedagogicalactivities . Games can alsobe usedto teach specificskills suchas programmingor literacy These are just some examplesof how technologyis changingeducationfor the better . As our understandingof how best touse technologyin order toreally improvelearningoutcomes growswe will seethese innovationsbecome ever morewidely adoptedaroundthe world … makingqualityeducationa realityfor everyone