For college students, it is relatively easy to assume that education is more attainable than it is in reality. Students are surrounded by other students and faculty, creating an immediate world of education, but this scene is in fact uncommon worldwide. Here are some facts about education in America and the world in general to reminds us all that access to education is precious and growing but, unfortunately, still rare in many places of the world.
1. Only 1/3 of Americans currently have at least a bachelor’s degree. That means that 104.6 million Americans have not attained higher education (The Century Foundation).
2. Two out of three 8th graders cannot read proficiently and nearly two thirds of 8th graders aren’t proficient in math (Broad Education).
3. Around 1.1 million American students drop out of high school every year (Broad Education).
4. Approximately 40% of Africans above the age of 15 and 50% of women above the age of 25 are illiterate (Africa Grant Makers).
5. 69 million school-age children do not currently attend school worldwide (The New York Times).
6. In Ethiopia, more than 1 million girls have not attended primary school (World Bank).
7. Only 13% of children at the secondary-school-level age are enrolled in secondary school (World Bank).
It’s important to recognize that, while great efforts have been made and admirable accomplishments achieved, the road to a better world with better education for all is still very long. But with wide knowledge and the right tools, we’ll be able to gradually fix the situation and provide children and adults with the best education they may benefit from at a certain point in their lives.
Education is precious and rare, so don’t waste yours.
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