Factors Involved in Assessing How Much a Culture Values The Education of The Children
There are also cultural differences even when it comes to education. But whether you are an Asian, European, American or Chinese, education has the same goals and objectives and that is to gain knowledge. Education differs only in how each culture values it. Some people do not value education that much. Some value education too much and make education the core responsibility of a family.
In the Philippines, education is tantamount to success; that was always the belief of the Filipino people since education was introduced by the first colonizers. My mother was raised in a culture where women were prohibited to go to school because according to their belief, girls will be brainwashed by the modern teachings. For them, women are for the home to do the household chores and raise a family; yet my mother raised us with education foremost in her mind. She was very concerned about our education. We all went to school and most of us have finished college education.
Education to Filipinos is a legacy that is never removed nor stolen from a person; this is the reason why Filipinos value education so much to the extent of parents going without shoes just to be able to send the kids to school.
Although the Philippines belongs to the third world country and it has a poor economy, it cannot be found wanting where education is concerned. Filipinos value education too much and even little kids go to school in the hope that this will be a stepping stone for a good job and success in the future.
What are some of the factors involved in assessing how much a culture values the education of the children?
Economic condition
The Philippines may be an impoverished country but where education is concerned, the people are mostly educated. Money is not a problem where education is concerned. There are lots of free schools from elementary to college and students could go to school even without money. There are situations when some moneyed people provide for the needs of students. They could get scholars to support in school. There are many instances when a poor boy finally finishes his studies with the help of some kind folks and finally lands a good job. If he becomes successful then he shares his blessings too to the next generation and it goes on and on like a cycle. This makes it easier for the poor people to be able to go to school even without money.
I believe other poor countries are like the Philippines. They could make education an important factor in determining the success of the children and send them to school even if there is no money.
Priorities of the people
Most Filipinos prioritize on education before the other needs such as clothing and other less necessary things in life. Children are taught to save and conserve in order for them to be able to go to school. Education is too expensive especially in college and the family needs to tighten their belts if they want the kids to go to college. People in my country value education too much. They could sacrifice other things in exchange for education.
People must prioritize education before other non-essential needs of the family. Why not save on shopping and other things so that you can send your kids to school? Education is very important to a person so people must always put more effort in sending the children to school.
Government programs
Except for the private schools, all elementary and secondary schools are free in the Philippines. Recently, pre-school was included in the program but with a little financial help from the parents. Actually the contribution from the parents of the pre-schoolers is very minimal so it cannot be considered a tuition fee. Since schools are free, most Filipino children are going to school. Although some parents still could not send their children to school because of the need for the child to have food allowance. In some public schools, especially in places with extreme poverty, a feeding program from the government and private sectors are often carried out in order to feed the hungry children and keep them in school.
Of course, no matter how parents want to send their children to school if the budget does not permit it, the children are abandoned. Many government programs are being carried out to help the street children go to school. Public school students are sometimes given free rice in order to help them have a meal for the a few days.
Financial status of the family
The rich families could send their children to good schools while the poor families go to public schools. There are of course more opportunities for students who graduate from good schools. Although there are also plenty of good government schools, those who could qualify are the only ones who could be accepted. The number of students is just too much in order for good government schools to accept all students. So the weaker students will go to schools that are usually too crowded for students to concentrate on their studies. With so much problems and an uncomfortable environment, many students drop out in the middle of school. But of course more students are still left in school and are able to finish their education.
Assessing how much a culture values the education of the children greatly depends on the belief of the people about education. There are people who believe that children need not go to school and there are also people who value education too much to the extent of sacrificing so much just to be able to send the children to school. Either way, there are differences in culture even where education is concerned so people must also take into consideration the culture of the people.
Written by Pinkay Daskeo
Teacher, writer and blogger.