Education

The precondition for a self-determined life

While the illiteracy rate worldwide was only 13 % in 2022 according to the World Economic Forum, there are still many people around the world who can only read or write improperly or do not speak the official language of their country. This is not least a consequence of being denied primary education because they were sent to work instead or because cultural or religious conventions stood in their way.

But the prospects of those who have only attended primary school are bleak as well - not to mention that in-depth access to quite a few topics never opens up. Without a secondary school degree, many jobs are out of reach and often only employment in the informal sector remains.

Enabling opportunities

Many capable young people around the world are unable to realise their potential because they are denied access to tertiary education – through excessively high fees and costs, corrupt university systems or discrimination. Women in particular suffer from the latter. Yet the polycrises of the present make it necessary for as many bright minds as possible to participate in solution-oriented research on the most pressing problems such as the climate crisis and poverty reduction.

However, in view of high unemployment, especially in low-income countries, it is no use flooding labour markets with highly qualified university graduates who cannot be absorbed. This increases the number of those who are precariously employed in the informal sector. Instead, a high priority must be given to strengthening vocational training worldwide, not least because a skilled workforce is important for a society to function well.
 

Overcoming inequality

In many patriarchal societies, boys' education is prioritised from primary school to university. Girls and young women are structurally disadvantaged in many educational systems, not least through menstrual stigma and lack of sanitation. This lays the foundation for inequality in childhood, which is continued in the lives of many women. They have fewer career opportunities, receive lower wages and are less resilient to economic crises.

Beyond the curriculum

Basic financial and tax knowledge is usually missing on school curricula, as is media literacy. The latter is becoming increasingly important, as it enables people to identify both trustworthy sources and propaganda. At the same time, basic political knowledge is lacking in many countries, for example with regard to important institutions or processes relevant to democracy. And one's own body and health also fall short – necessary information on vaccinations and other preventive measures as well as sex education are not provided in many countries.