10 Barriers to Education That Children May Face

Education is a fundamental right for everyone, especially children. This right is enshrined in the manifesto of UNICEF, an NGO fighting for children’s rights. With the right education, children will be able to break the shackles of poverty and become better citizens with a more tolerant and open mindset.

That said, not every child is blessed with a good education. There are still a lot of barriers that prevent a child from getting the education it needs to improve its life. Below are the ten most difficult barriers to education that children might have to overcome.

Gender

In many parts of the world, gender is still a major issue. According to UNICEF, the rate of worldwide gender parity remains low, with 49% of countries have achieved it in primary education, and it gets worse in higher education sectors. Even in developed countries, this is still a persistent problem. Girls rarely see role models in STEM fields, and they are encouraged to take on the role of a homemaker or occupations traditionally associated with girls such as nurses or school teachers. Thus, in many countries, girls are in a more disadvantaged position as compared to boys. This is a systemic issue that has not yet been completely eradicated.

The lack of learning materials

Books are very important in a child’s education. Without a textbook, children cannot learn new lessons as well as review the previous ones properly, preventing them from progressing their knowledge. Teachers also need good teaching materials as well, as they need to plan the lesson beforehand for the best effects. Fortunately, there exists free essay database sites online with variety of essay samples on various topics. They can be used both by students and teachers as a source of inspiration.

The lack of a classroom

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for children to learn in a classroom in countries around the globe. This means that they will have to take classes on an online platform. While it is undeniable that there are still some benefits of online learning, the lack of a real classroom severely limits children’s interactions with one another. This will have a negative effect on their learning pace as well as their capability to take in new knowledge, as learning is sometimes a collective process.

The lack of motivation

This is a universal problem for children everywhere. For some children, the lack of motivation will severely impede their growth and put them under great stress. However, it is important to understand that this lack of motivation is often not a problem out of nowhere. It is usually the result of other underlying issues that will contribute to a child’s stress level. Thus, when tackling a child’s lack of motivation, it would be wiser to understand where the problem originally comes from.

Technological barriers

The rise of new technologies has made it easier for children to gain access to new knowledge with ease. For example, if you have technology on your side, you can easily contact sites that do essays for you with the right technology, helping you to greatly improve the learning process. However, some kids do not have this luxury. They might either lack an electronic device that helps them learn, or their internet connection is just not cut out for it. Thus, the gap between these kids and their peers will just get wider, resulting in demotivated young learners.

In the days of COVID-19, technological barriers will be a very prominent issue for students around the world. As there is no physical classroom in many places around the world, children will have to go online, and technological inequity, coupled with the lack of training on teachers’ end, will be a significant challenge for children.

Physical disabilities

For physically-disabled children, education is a very challenging process. Most schools do not have the right accessibility aids that these children need in order to catch up with physically-able ones. This makes it exceptionally difficult for them to participate in other class activities and to foster bonds and connections with the other children, which are very important to the learning process. Children with physical disabilities also face teasing as well.

Emotional barriers

For a child, words of encouragement are very important. Not only do they acknowledge the child’s effort to be better, but they also give them the strength to keep doing so. Conversely, scolding children will have a very negative effect on their development. The child may develop insecurities and a sense that they have not given their best, which will prevent them from fully realizing their potential and trying their best. Thus, scolding children because of their scores or performance will be a huge emotional barrier to their learning process.

The lack of funding for education

Schools need funds to run properly, and the lack of funding for educational institutions will make it harder for children to learn. With plenty of funding, schools can organize helpful activities such as outings or outdoor activities. If the school lacks a good source of funding, they cannot organize these activities, and the children will miss out on good opportunities to learn more about their surroundings.

Poverty

Poverty is a huge barrier between a child and its education. Children in a poverty-stricken area may experience disruptions in their education, which could severely affect their growth. They will also have fewer chances to participate in school activities, denying them the chance to not only further their education but also to connect with the other children. There is also the chance that the child will become a shut-in due to insecurities as well.

Unmotivated teacher

Teachers are the people who are supposed to inspire students to learn and to get a better future for themselves. However, it is true that there are some teachers who are so unmotivated that they become a barrier themselves to education for children. There are a lot of reasons why a teacher would feel unmotivated. It could be due to bad education funding or dissatisfaction with the field in general. In any case, other regulating bodies should ensure that the teachers are up for the task of inspiring future generations.

Although getting a good education is a precursor to a better future, there are still many barriers to education that children may have to face. Some of these barriers are systemic, and they can be very difficult to get rid of. However, parents can work with their children and stay supportive of them. This will help the children to slowly overcome the barriers and get the education they deserve.