Quality education - What are the barriers to

education for children in poverty?

The education for children in poverty/low-income countries and present the

challenges to quality education

For this case study I’m choosing Colombia as a country to talk about, education
in Colombia rich people or people who can afford education may end up going
to The United States to continue their studies.
But 38,30% of the population are very poor or they don't have enough money to
afford a quality education. This makes them not able to achieve their goals or
develop their skills.
The Colombian constitution requires children to go to school at the age of
fifteen, 1.2 million of colombian children don't have the opportunity to go to
school. Some of the ones that for any reason are able to achieve going to
schools, have to leave for economic reasons or family situations, only 88% are
able to continue with their education until their primary grade.
In rural areas pupils receive 5.5 years of education, when in cities pupils receive
9.2 years. Consequently, illiteracy rates among children over 15 years are
almost four times higher in the countryside – 12.5% compared to 3.3%. Also
childs in rural areas are forced to work in mining areas where more than 500
children are working illegally in illegal mines. Thanks to this, some children
don't have the opportunity to grow and develop their knowledge.
Many top Colombian universities are making noticeable progress in access and
quality and are on par with international standards. The percentage of children
being able to go to school has increased, from about 1 million to 2.4 million. At
same time a greater number of households can now afford a better education.
But also, there are still some exceptions of students who struggle to go to
college. There're 280 universities in Colombia, 80 which are public, these public
universities are highly demanded and and less than 20% of the applicants are
admitted. Private universities are very expensive and financing options are not
the best.
According to Andrea Echavarría from ESCALA education:
“The idea comes from a very great need we saw in Colombia, where you have a
coverage rate of 51% in terms of inclusion in higher education, meaning that
out of every ten high school graduates, only five go to college.”
By the time children reach the age of 17, 75% drop the education system and at
least they repeat a grade by age 15.
The problem is that while the students have good universities available to them,
the educational system is not preparing the youth well enough for the
universities, thanks to inadequate facilities, lack of internet, location of schools
and insufficient salaries for teachers. All of these factors make Colombia's
education system extremely flawed.
Said Camilo Marrugo, a CBOB volunteer in Colombia:
“In my experience, what can be improved about the system is equality.
Everyone deserves the right to the same education. When it comes to university,
it is much harder for students who came from the public education system to be
able to keep up with the students who received a paid, private education,”

Colombia should improve equity and quality of education

➢ National common learning that sets high expectations for all students
➢ Giving education to all students from the youngest age must be a priority
➢ Empowering teachers by boosting the support they need to teach
➢ Right initiatives, better balance of autonomy
➢ Ensure that all students have a fair chance to succeed

References:
https://childrenchangecolombia.org/exclusion-from-education/

https://wenr.wes.org/2020/06/education-in-colombia-2#:~:text=More%20and
%20more%20young%20Colombians,afford%20an%20expensive
%20international%20education.

https://lavca.org/2017/12/12/escala-educacion-andrea-echavarria-breaking-
barriers-colombias-higher-education/

http://www.chbob.org/blog/colombias-education-system
https://www.oecd.org/education/colombia-should-improve-equity-and-quality-
of-education.htm