Our World

Latin American Education

Since we discussed illiteracy rates in class, I decided to do take a more in depth look into education. According to one site, "The likelihood that children under five years old today will complete primary school by 2015 is greater than or equal to 95 per cent in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay. It dips to between 90 per cent and 95 per cent for Brazil, Costa Rica and Venezuela." Although the region as a whole, has made progress, gender disparity exists in individual countries. Although most people discuss how females lack education (which in some cases they do), for the most part we should apparently be more concerned with boys. According to the article, At the secondary level, girls are far more likely to be enrolled than boys regionally – 47 per cent versus 41 per cent. The problems associated with illiteracy and undereducation effects the entire society. It may lead boys into the life of crime, domestic abuse, or violence. These awful consequences have been witnessed in Jamaica in particular.

Why aren't boys recieving adequate education?
Well, many boys leave school in order to support their families and enter the labor force. "A study conducted in Chile found that poor boys are four times more likely to enter the workforce than poor girls. In Brazil, child labor has robbed boys of an education by luring them away from books with promises of money."

What's important to help the issue?
Most articles state that pre-primary school is extremely beneficial. It helps stimulate the child's mind and work with emotional and social development. Early child care projects have helped connect the family and the child. In Peru, for instance, "Iniciativa Papa, an early childhood project, strengthens the bond between fathers and tots through intensive male participation in child-rearing." Another key to intervention is challenging traditional gender roles. It helps to establish a universal education system, by shattering stereotypes.

I think that this issue is very important in Latin America. Hopefully UNICEF or such organizations will step in to encourage education. Through a variety of projects, I believe that education with boys and girls can be far improved.
*Check out this site for more
EDUCATION NOW

posted by Anonymous @ 3/04/2006 04:51:00 PM