Education – the answer to making real changes

EVA TROPE

Rather than only honouring the sacrifices of the past, we should implement the ideals we learn on this day. But how? How can we encapsulate a day so important, so fundamental to South African history, and effectively use it to form a better society? The pathway to honouring the legacy of Hector Pieterson and the other 176 fallen youth is through education.

In the Soweto uprising, not only did black children fight for their right to be taught in their own languages, but for the opportunity to have an equal education to white children.

With unemployment skyrocketing in South Africa at around 35%, the highest in the world, the solution lies in education. According to Global Partnership, 420 million people would be lifted out of poverty with a secondary education, thus reducing the number of poverty-stricken people worldwide by more than half. Research also shows that children whose mothers can read are 50% more likely to live past the age of five.

Not only does education benefit economies and societies, but also social movements and equality. If every girl worldwide received 12 years of quality education, lifetime earnings for women could increase from $15 trillion (R251 trillion) to $30 trillion (R502 trillion) globally.

Educated people choose better governments by making informed choices. Educated people stimulate the economy by working, earning more money, and spending it locally. Educated people are taught to think, create, and work towards a better society, and it is our job, as privileged, educated people, to try to give these opportunities to less advantaged citizens.

From eliminating discrimination to going green, there are many causes we must fight for as a country, but I believe that if we focus on education – quality, widespread, equal education, not only will we have a better society, but a means to an end. Educated people are likely to discover solutions to many different problems as they have the knowledge and learned logic to do so, creating an ever growing and evolving cycle from education to prosperity.

This Youth Day, I plead for the Jewish community to focus on giving donations to organisations that help teach the untaught, to give old textbooks, and volunteer at less fortunate schools. To treat the problem, rather than put a flimsy Band-Aid over it.

• Eva Trope is in Grade 9 at Yeshiva College.