Submitted by three photographers: Sudipto Das (India), Viet Van Tran (Vietnam) and Hansa Tangmanpoowadol (Thailand).
Literacy for All
(by Sudipto Das)
“A young graduate girl who receives an educational scholarship from a private higher education organisation takes the initiative to offer adult literacy classes to rural women in her own village in the South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India.The “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan”, or “Education for All” programme recognises that ensuring free and compulsory education is a Fundamental Right as per the Indian Constitution.”
More about Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan:
“The programme is looking to open new schools in those habitations without schooling facilities and to strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance and school improvement grants. SSA is now the primary vehicle for implementing the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) in India.
Existing schools with inadequate teacher strength are provided with additional teachers, and the capacity of existing teachers is being strengthened by extensive training, grants for developing teaching-learning materials and strengthening of the academic support structure. SSA has a special focus on female education and children with special needs. SSA also seeks to provide computer education to bridge the digital divide.” Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Wikipedia, June 7, 2013.
Correct Answer
(by Viet Van Tran)
“This image was taken in a a primary school classroom with Hmong children at Mu Cang Chai. Mu Cang Chai is one of the mountainous districts of Yen Bai province (North Vietnam) where more than 90% of the population consists of ethnic Hmong people. Not every child is lucky enough to go to school. Many poor families cannot afford to send their children to school.”
More about education in Vietnam:
“Currently, only primary schools are subsidized by the government, to 50% of the total tuition cost. Enrollment rates may be high; however, primary education quality, particularly in poor areas, is below the required standard. Moreover, the drop-out rate after fifth grade is also high, especially in rural and mountainous area since most students cannot afford to attend secondary school or university, due to poverty. For many poor households, child labor is considered much more valuable than school attendance – the cost of sending their children to school is perceived to be high and the long-term benefit of education cannot outweigh the short-term economic losses.
The entire higher education system is facing several crises, such as outdated curricula, a lecturer-centered method of teaching and learning, a lack of linkage between teaching and research activities, and a large discord between theory and practical training, that leads to a large number of graduates being unable to find a job, while skills shortages drive inflation to double-digit levels. According to the survey on graduate employment in 2009-2010 among 3000 respondents, 26.2% are still unemployed with the majority unable to find a job. Among those employed, 61% said they lacked sufficient working skill, 42% lacked experience and 32% cited insecure professional expertise. Aside from degrees offered by foreign universities, qualifications from Vietnamese universities are not recognized worldwide.” Education in Vietnam. Wikipedia, 9 June 2013.
No Obstacle
(by Hansa Tangmanpoowadol)
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