Schooling in Inner Cities

Ryan Fredrick, Reporter

Today, education remains an inaccessible right for millions of children around the world. More than 72 million children of primary education age are not in school. Over 759 million adults are illiterate, and such are not considered to have the awareness necessary to improve both their living conditions and those of their children, according to an article by CNN.com.

“The problem with districts in the inner cities is that teachers just do not stay… It creates a sort of vicious cycle.” junior Maurice Weakley said.

In developing and developed countries alike,  often, children do not have access to basic education because of inequalities that originate in sex, health and cultural identity. These children find themselves on the margins of the education system and do not benefit from learning that is vital to their intellectual and social development, according to the article.

“If there was better funding for inner cities [people] could get a better education. It’s not that hard. Better education equals people getting better jobs, and then going to college, and then getting a good life, instead of one in the ghetto,” junior Mikayla Thomas said.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected area with over 32 million children of primary school age remaining uneducated. Central and Eastern Asia, as well as the Pacific, are also severely affected by this problem with more than 27 million uneducated children, according to an article from The Independent.

“[These kids] need to be able to rely on education rather than the streets. They need to know that there is a life beyond the ghetto. Not just overall more funding, but especially more funding for art programs, could benefit the inner cities so much. People could find an interest in something that isn’t selling drugs to live,” junior Jay Miles said.

Kids in inner cities and urban areas are inherently at a disadvantage because of a lack of funds for education. The roots of most economic and social problems in the cities are due to a lack of education, according to CNN.com.