Educational Inequality Gaps: How To Reduce Inequality In Education

Over the past few decades, the wide range of global social issues still continues to be unsolved and cause a double burden on vulnerable groups in the community. One of the social issues that still remains a problem is living in poverty. Poverty leads to several negative impacts. Some of the effects linked with poverty affect the everyday resources of people, such as homelessness, scarcity of food and nutrition, lack of water, various diseases and viruses, inadequate child care, lack of access to health and medical care, lack of education, unsafe environment and neighbourhood, and other concerns.

When a community is suffering from urban poverty, it encounters extreme challenges in life and gets exposed to a series of unfavourable events. It is the primary reason people living in povertysuffer from illnesses, depression, job loss, crimes, and death. Lack of educational opportunities combined with urban povertywill lead to educational inequality.

As an individual, you can do something to help build a bridge between educational inequality gaps and guide children towards the right path to education. Below are a few ways.

PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Unfortunately, for the vulnerable groups in the communityand families, everything is tough. Finding money or funds to provide for the needs of their family is already a challenge. Sending their kids to school is an extra challenge for them. Some parents don’t even have the time to read books to their children. Reading to kids is one effective way to give them a head start in their education.

According to scientific research, it can stimulate the curiosity and cognition of children. One of the things you can do to help fight educational inequality is to expose them to educational resources. You can do this by donating or joining volunteering groups. There are also programmes in the country that visit vulnerable groups in the community, gather children in one location, and educate them. To name a few, you can consider signing up on the National Library Board under its kidsREAD programme. It allows volunteers to read to underprivileged children.

EXPOSE STUDENTS TO FREE RESOURCES

Costs change and continue to increase every year. Education expenses vary as well and get more expensive over time. These sudden financial changes are a big problem for the people who lack resources or live in urban poverty. To help combat these issues, individuals or volunteering groups should expose children to free resources. There are various free resources online, but people living in povertymay not be able to access these resources. If you have an extra to share or have a more blessed life, consider donating academic kits, such as books, colouring materials, pencils, flashcards, etc., to a few charities to improve the lives of these children suffering from educational and social inequality in Singapore. Some organisations that accept in-kind donations are Dignity Mama, Blessings in a Bag, and Hope Centre.

BUILDING MORE FLEXIBLE TIME

One good way to fight educational inequality is to acknowledge that not all students need the same thing. Learning how to respond to their individual needs is essential to understanding children. Creating a more flexible schedule and providing them with more educational choices can allow volunteers and instructors to assemble each student into their respective groups. Strategic and dynamically grouping students can result in efficiency, more opportunity, and voluntary schooling hours. Studies state that when a student feels more appreciated and valued, thus, the options and choices to offer them, they feel more productive and efficient with studying. Flexibility gives them the chance to decide what they want, teaches them ownership and prepares them for life after school.

THE STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DEVELOP MORE EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS

Another approach to fight educational inequality is by encouraging everyone, including the government, social media, and people, to develop more educational projects. Areas with high rates of urban poverty lack not just academic resources but also educational institutions. If ending poverty is impossible yet, then the state government should at least build more projects so that everyone gets a fair share, especially the vulnerable groups in the community. The various organisations and charities can also help with their contributions, such as monetary donations or academic resources.

ACCESS TO LITERACY RESOURCES

Another approach to reducing educational inequalityis providing students with access to literacy supplies. To help children living in poverty and suffering from inequality in education, students from vulnerable groups in the community MUST HAVE access to educational resources, such as academic books, school materials, trained volunteer tutors, and diverse libraries. The power of literacy can help empower these students, boost their reading abilities, increase their confidence in themselves, and unleash their full potential. Without strong literacy skills, students would have foundational skills to rely on, which are essential in school, work, and beyond.

For tutoring and coaching the youth, you can consider signing up on Children’s Wishing Well (CWW), Scholars Academy (SA), and Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC). They also have volunteering programmes similar to kidsREAD, such as Supervised Homework Group and Project YOUth Can Shine, wherein you can volunteer as a tutor or coach to guide students from vulnerable groups in the community.

The Bottom Line

Education inequality isn’t just about the lack of academic resources, such as school funding, competent and skilled teachers, qualified staff, educational institutions, and adequate school materials and supplies. Educational inequalityis also about the deprivation of opportunity and chances for children to learn, be aware, and study. For people living in poverty,education inequalityis only one of the challenges they face on a daily basis. Why do people need to fight and reduce educational and social inequality in Singapore? Education plays a critical role in the lives of the student, especially the ones from various vulnerable groups in the community. It empowers students and helps them turn their weaknesses into a strength. However, without proper education, knowledge, and skills, what do you think will happen to the future of these children? It will not be as bright as yours.

Got any stories, suggestions, and ideas to help beat educational inequality?The Best Of You is here to listen and acknowledge what you have to share. Visit their website to find out how you can inspire and empower others with your stories.