Education in America vs. Education in Afghanistan
Why don’t the kids in Afghanistan get to have the same Education that the kids in America get to have? There are comparisons between Education in America and in Afghanistan. This is an interesting topic because knowing how the Educational systems work in a different country tells so much about their government. Malcolm X said “ Just because you have colleges and universities doesn't mean you have education.” At first, the education in America was based on the Bible, and religious tones. All the kids were not taught together. You were either in the upper class or the lower class based on your parents' income. The upper class kids typically learned reading, writing, simple math, poems, and prayers. Also, paper and textbooks were not usually found in classrooms so the boys and girls would read aloud to the class until they would memorize their information. There were only three main books and those were the Bible, the Primer, and the Horn book. The lower class kids learned the same things but, their math was higher in a learning level. In today’s society school education is more advanced. Classrooms have millions of textbooks, laptops, chrome books, iPads, and even tablets. Marva Collins states, “Before we even attempt to teach children, we want them to know that each of them is very unique and very special. We want them to like themselves, to want to achieve and care about themselves.” Classrooms still use pencils and paper but, the advance in technology is striking the eyes of many educators. “Has rising tuition thrown the cost of a high degree out of whack with families’ other big-ticket expenses, like a new home or car? Yes - but, it depends on the type of school.” (Meacham 44). On the other hand, in Afghanistan there are only two systems of education. One, is more religious and is the oldest. The other education system is compulsory education that was available for all levels. Afghanistan had a couple of colleges built over the year starting the compulsory education program. This came in the constitution in 1964 and the constitution stated that the compulsory education system was free. The country of Afghanistan has about 800 primary schools and 300 general secondary schools by the mid 1980’s. The public schools were based on Western models before 1987 military coup. The educational systems in America and Afghanistan have fair similarities. One is that both of their systems have teachers that help the students succeed in what they need to do, to pass their grade and go on to a higher level. Also, they are similar because, they both have tons of universities that have similar averages for enrollments. America’s average is 6,837,605 enrollments and Afghanistan’s average is 98% of the country. When the Taliban were in control, girls and women could not go to school. They always had to stay inside of their homes and do housework until the men returned home. In America boys and girls have always gone to school together. A Cultural Aspect: Some might feel that America values education more than Afghanistan. They might feel that way because in Afghanistan very few females get to earn an education and they (the Taliban) keep trying to control the schools. In America’s society education is more advanced because the school boards are trying to improve schools everyday. The classrooms don’t even have solid walls around the kids! Abraham Lincoln once said “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”. Education in America is more advanced, more organized and more proper. Imagine being a girl when the Taliban is in control in Afghanistan, just sitting and waiting all day long. Education is important because learning and having an education in today's society is really important for the future of young children. The effects of having a good education are getting in to a good college, getting a meaningful job in the future, and simply just to discover what you are meant to do in this world. The benefits are having a successful rest of your life, to maybe even have a family and something to look forward to. When you have education in America you have to realize that you are lucky that you have the opportunity to do it and have it because in Afghanistan this is sometimes not an easy task. Works Cited Collins, Marva. Words to warm Teachers heart. Wheaton: Stream, Carol, 2009. Print Lincoln, Abraham."Brainy Quotes."2001, Brainy Quotes. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/school.html Malcom X. http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/education-system Meacham, Jon. “The Class of 2025.” Time. Oct. 2013: 40-44. Print. |
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