Although there have been notable advancements for equity in education in recent decades, numerous children continue to face barriers that prevent them from learning in fair environments. Students who are racially diverse, come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, speak English as a second language, or have learning disabilities often face difficulty in school.
Their ability to attend school is often hindered by a lack of awareness regarding their needs, insufficiently trained educators, unavailable classroom support, limited learning resources, and inadequate facilities.
With the widespread adoption of remote or hybrid learning models during the 2020 lockdowns, there are concerns that the digital divide has widened. This has created a gap further between those who have access to an education tailored to their requirements and those who do not. Presently, achieving fairness in education is more crucial than ever before.
Striving for fairness and equality can bring positive changes, but when it comes to education, prioritizing equity should be the ultimate aim. This is because there’s a significant distinction between being fair and being equal.
What's equity in education?
Equity means to create fairness in a way to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity. It can be achieved when each person receives the necessary support to be on the same level as others in their environment.
In a classroom setting, this could mean providing extra time, different kinds of assistance, and unique resources to certain students, so they can reach their learning goals. When schools offer tailored resources based on individual needs, the entire classroom benefits and becomes a better place for everyone to learn.
Equity in education can enhance students’ emotional and social development. By promoting diversity and fostering empathy, students from all backgrounds and abilities are more likely to show compassion and kindness towards others, both as children and later in life as adults. Equity benefits not only students but, indirectly, the educational community and society as a whole.
Issues of equity in education
Promoting fairness in education is an essential goal for societies that want everyone to enjoy equal chances and opportunities, no matter where they come from.
Schools are supposed to be places where young people learn about compromise and equality.
Listed below are some factors that can make education fair or unfair. Our future can be better if we address these issues and make education fair for everyone:
1. Family income
One big thing that affects fairness in education is how much money your family has. When families don’t have a lot of money, it can make it hard for kids to do well in school. They might not have the same resources or good healthcare, and they might not have a stable place to live.
To make things fair, we need to give extra help to these kids, like scholarships, financial aid, and community resources. This way, every student has the same chances to succeed.
2. Good schools and bad schools
The quality of the school a student attends also makes a big difference to the quality of education received. Some schools have better educators, nicer buildings, and more interesting activities than others.
When schools are different like this, it can create unfairness. To fix this, we need to make sure that all schools have equity. That means making sure they have quality educators, a standard curriculum, and lots of things for students to do outside of class. This way, every student gets a great education.
3. Treating Everyone Fairly
Some people are treated unfairly based on uncontrollable things like their race, where they come from, or if they are male or female.This can happen at school too.
To make education fair, we need to create a welcoming and diverse environment where everyone feels respected. That means understanding and appreciating different cultures and backgrounds. educators should be trained to be fair and not let their own biases affect how they treat students.
4. Access to technology
In today’s world, having access to technology is significant for a fair education. If students don’t have the internet or devices to use, they might fall behind. More and more, schools are using online resources and digital tools for learning.
To make things fair, we need to make sure that all students have the same access to technology. This means making sure they can use computers and the internet both at school and at home.
5. Supporting students with special needs
Fairness in education also means including students with special needs or disabilities. We need to make sure that these students have the same opportunities as everyone else.
That might mean providing extra help, having classrooms where everyone feels included, and offering special services.
Educators need to be trained to understand and support these students, so they can learn and succeed just like their peers.
How to achieve equity in education as a global effort
Ensuring fairness in education worldwide requires a united effort that addresses various aspects.
Firstly, we need to make education accessible to all, irrespective of gender, family income, where one lives, or disabilities. This means providing the necessary tools, transportation, and technology to regions that lack them.
Moreover, governments and organizations need to prioritize investing in education, making sure there’s enough funding for good schools, well-trained educators, and up-to-date lessons.
To promote fairness, we need to fight against discrimination actively and bias through inclusive policies, laws that prevent discrimination, and campaigns that raise awareness.
Collaboration between countries and international organizations is vital for sharing the best methods, resources, and knowledge.
We must also tackle long-standing inequalities by offering targeted support to groups that face disadvantages and addressing differences in funding and resources.
Empowering local communities, involving parents, and celebrating diverse cultures in education are crucial steps toward achieving fairness in education worldwide.
Summing up
To sum up, the idea of fairness acknowledges that students are different from one another. It recognizes that students, no matter their abilities, backgrounds, or language skills, may need different kinds of help to reach their full potential.
By embracing fairness, we understand that no child is better or worse than another; instead, they have individual needs, talents, and resources that require personalized attention from educators.
By staying dedicated, working together, and taking a comprehensive approach, we can establish an educational system that allows every child to reach their full potential.
As educators, let’s create an inclusive educational system to help students thrive and achieve their dreams. Join EDU Passport and explore a comprehensive approach that ensures no child is left behind.
