Rural education, also known as remote education, refers to the education provided in rural areas. It often faces challenges such as limited resources, limited access to teachers and technology, and poor infrastructure. If individuals in rural areas do not have access to quality education, it can result in a lack of skilled workers in these areas, hindering economic development [1]. This feeds the cycle of poverty, which is hard to escape.
Schools in rural areas are important as they provide education to those students living in remote areas who are unable to access education in more urbanised locations. These community-based schools ensure that the children still have opportunities to learn, develop and grow. These schools play a crucial role in closing the gap that exists between rural and urban populations.
Educational facilities are typically poorly constructed – some have no doors or windows –, with insufficient clean running water, electricity, libraries, and laboratories. Classrooms at schools are often overcrowded and cramped leaving no space for enough desks and chairs for the students. More than one-quarter of the schools in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo in South Africa have more than 45 learners per classroom [2]. These are difficult conditions under which to provide a sound education for young people.
Rural schools may lack access to basic amenities such as electricity and textbooks. The lack of resources restricts students from keeping up with their peers in urban areas. Additionally, teachers may face challenges in delivering quality education without specific tools and resources. The lack of resources hinders educational quality, further exacerbating the educational gap and possibly affecting future opportunities that the children may have.
There is a shortage of qualified teachers. Many rural schools struggle to attract and retain qualified teachers due to a lack of professional development and lower compensation. This results in a higher teacher turnover rate and, consequently, a poorer quality of education for the children. It’s important to note that a lot of the teachers in rural schools are native to the community itself.
Stemming from the same educational system, the lack of diversity prevents the curriculum from developing. This can limit a student’s exposure to different perspectives and areas of knowledge. Not only that, the remoteness of some communities can make it challenging for teachers to obtain specialised and up-to-date training, leading to a cycle of limited opportunities for success.
About one-fifth of the world’s population is afflicted by poverty—these people live on less than $1 a day [4]. On average, 63% of all poverty is found in rural areas, with the number rising to 90% in certain countries. From this, it’s obvious that a lot of families in rural areas aren’t able to afford quality education for their children. Whereas in urban areas, families tend to have higher incomes, making it easier for them to provide their children with a quality education [3].
Poverty comes with the consequence of inadequate nutrition and healthcare, which can impact students’ ability to learn and succeed academically. In such cases, individuals are forced to choose between paying for an education and finding work to make money. If they choose to forgo their education and start working, they may not have the advantage of improving their socioeconomic status that comes with having an education, further perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
Many impoverished families prioritize immediate income over long-term investments like education which must be completed before they produce any financial benefits. This approach is fuelled by the belief that knowing practical skills will lead to quicker employment and reduce the financial strain on the family. Because of this, rural parents want their children to learn practical skills rather than studying History or Mathematics [2].
For example, schools in agricultural communities may teach farming techniques, agricultural sciences or other practical skills. In fishing communities, schools may teach maritime skills, navigation and other fishing skills. This is because they believe that these skills will directly translate into employment opportunities and financial stability for their children.
But what happens when students want to integrate into urban education or move to urban areas for more opportunities?
Aside from adjusting to a different pace of life and a new social and cultural context, individuals must also overcome educational differences. This may make it difficult for them to compete with their urban counterparts.
Rural schools have a smaller, tighter, learning environment, while metropolitan schools are typically larger and more diversified. Students may struggle to adapt to the fast paced and competitive academic environment. This can create a sense of pressure and inadequacy for rural students, who may not have had access to the same resources and opportunities.
This can be accomplished by expanding school facilities, and offering student transportation. The standard of education in rural areas can also be raised by funding professional development and training programs for teachers.
In order to do this, the curriculum needs to be updated to the current standard of education. Resources like technology and textbooks are to be provided ensuring there are enough for all children. Additionally, partnering up with NGO’s and other organisations gives students the chance to gain a hands-on education experience and help students visualise and gain an insight into the various fields they can pursue further. This has the potential to improve student motivation and engagement, which will boost learning in rural areas.
The government can help alleviate the teacher shortage in rural areas by offering financial support for qualified teachers willing to work in rural areas. Moreover, for the teachers already present, the government can provide teacher trainings and mentorship programs to create a productive environment with up-to-date education.
Through various initiatives the government can ensure that rural schools have access to quality educator who are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively educate students. This can ultimately improve educational outcomes and opportunities for students in rural areas.
By investing into rural education, schools will be able to provide students with all necessary resources to maximise their learning. These resources can include: increasing access to extracurricular activities, improving infrastructure, access to technology.
In today’s technology driven world, having technology at your fingertips can be a huge advantage. With rural schools having little to no access to basic technology, the digital divide between rural and urban students widens.
A case study done in Shanghai tested the effects of a Chinese education-technology intervention program. The analysis conducted by the researchers showed that rural students in China benefited significantly from the program, both in terms of academic performance and employment opportunities. Participation in the program resulted in a 78% decrease in the earnings gap and a 21% reduction in the pre-existing urban-rural education gap[5].
Governments can improve rural education by investing into rural educational institutes, addressing the teacher shortage and investing in infrastructure. This will increase childrens chances to gain quality education in remote areas and improve their future career opportunities. This will lead to a decrease in the gap between urban and rural education and consequently have a positive impact on the economy.
It matters that all children, irrespective of geographic location, have an equal chance to learn and succeed.
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