Sanjeev Mansotra Explains the Importance of Higher Education for Developing Nations

Education is an essential portion of every person’s life. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same access to high quality education. This is especially prevalent in developing countries in Africa the Middle East, and Asia, and has been an issue in quite some time.

All over the world in these developing countries, there will be a minority of children that will graduate from secondary school, but many will not even finish primary school. Even in situations where there is free access to primary schooling, many will drop out before completing their educational program. This begs deeper questions about the world’s educational system, and how positive change can be seen in those who need educational resources the most.

First, the barriers to success of higher education in developing countries must be analyzed. One of the primary scapegoats to this rampaging issue is the lack of access to resources. What does this entail? For many poor countries, it can be quite a journey just to even make it to school. There are also many families who cannot afford the necessary added expenses of educating a child, such as lunch, examination fees and uniforms.

In addition, the quality of the education is simply not up to par. This also serves as an added economic burden to families who are already struggling. Since they are paying for low quality education, this means that extra money has to be invested into other methods of education, such as tutoring. Parents are not likely to keep children in school if the investment in a quality education does not result in basic literacy or adequate learning. This is an issue that experts in the field such as Sanjeev Mansotra are all too aware of.

Even if the outcome is satisfactory, many children are often discouraged from moving on to higher levels of education. This is primarily due to the fact that the prospects of getting decent employment is even more poor than the education that they receive. In certain impoverished nations such as specific areas in Africa, formal employment is not secured. This means that any form of employment or income for them will be through a specific trade or agriculture rather than, for example, a STEM field.

The reason why higher education in developing countries is such an important topic is because the economic outcomes of potentially millions of people depend on an adequate education. It is seen often in the western world in the United States. For those who obtain college degrees, their chances of not only seeking employment, but making more money is exponentially greater than those who are only educated at the high school level.

At the end of the day, credentials and education matter in today’s world, no matter what the cost. In various parts of the world, whether they are developed or not, employers are seeking more and more skilled, certified candidates to hire in a specific craft. The efficiency of business functions moves at a much brisker pace if there are people who have credentials to their name. Unfortunately, the quality of education that many are exposed to do not lead to successful futures and the potential of many are never realized.

Despite all of these shortcomings, there are underdeveloped countries who have begun to seek alternative ways of providing the public some opportunities to succeed. In many developing nations, the most common form of training in a non-academic context comes in the form of apprenticeships. While this looks promising on the surface, these apprenticeships often do not result in high incomes. Experts in the industry such as Sanjeev Mansotra have taken note of this disparity.

Policymakers play a big role in the quality of education that residents of developing countries receive as well. Adult literacy programs are often passed as a conduit to improve the numeracy and literacy skills in adults. However, many countries have withdrawn these initiatives because objectives are not being satisfied.

Higher education will provide the future generation with the tools and platforms they need to succeed, but a fundamental change in the system is the only way to ensure that bright future. It starts with lessening the burden that is placed upon the parents and reduce the cost of education.

It has been seen that when school fees are abolished, educational attainment in nations such as Ghana, Kenya and Ethiopia all drastically increase.

In addition, the parents themselves have to be educated as well. Parents are the ones who are making the investments for their children. Unfortunately, many of the adults who are making an investment for the education of their child are often uneducated themselves. Over 759 million adults across the world are illiterate. This means that they do not have the capacity to improve their social standing. This will also signal further trouble for any children they have.

Another problem that exists in many schools in underdeveloped countries is a lack of consistent attendance. There are many influential factors that can alter these numbers, but if there is one common denominator that should be addressed, it is the fact that many school children go hungry. Millions of school children often go to school without food, but if there were ways to provide food during school for these children, regular attendance would be encouraged.

Additionally, school lunch programs have been linked to increased student concentration and greater achievement.

While all of these factors play an important role in ensuring that quality, higher education are provided for children in developing countries, the entire model has to be changed as well.

A new educational model that not only teaches on traditional subjects, but practical ones such as finances, administration and health should also be incorporated in curriculums across the world. It can be easy to memorize how to solve a certain math equation, but when it comes to making purchases in real life, is one ready to responsibly handle their finances?

Education provides both children and adults with the tools they need to be productive citizens of society. More educated people will foster better change for the world we all share.