Five reasons your education matters

Not everyone has the privilege of attending school safely every day.

In 2012, Malala Yousafzai’s bus trip to school was cut short when she was shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for what we often 
take for granted — an education.

Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai, winners of the Nobel Peace Prize 2014 © AFP Photo / Chandan Khanna / Wole Emmenuel

Remarkably, Malala survived, and her brilliance in fighting for educational rights continues.

At the tender age of 17, she is the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize, sharing the award with Indian activist for children’s rights Kailash Satyarthi Together, they have created a movement to empower millions deprived of basic education worldwide.

Be inspired with our list of reasons why your education is your most valuable resource.

1. It’s a basic human right

According to the United Nations, without education, it’s impossible to exercise all of the other human rights. It promotes individual freedom and empowerment, and can lift people from poverty.

In the UN Declaration of Human Rights, the right to education is listed under Article 26 and consists of three parts:

• elementary education should be free and compulsory
• education should promote and strengthen human rights
• parents have the right to choose the kind of education their children receives.

If you’ve received one or all of these rights, you’re many steps ahead of those without access.

Children at a class run by the local community in Kingston, Jamaica © Flickr / UN Photo

2. The ability to work

In many countries where half the population is denied the right to a basic education, women in particular have no choice but to stay at home and suppress their desire to learn, earn an income and live freely.

The UNESCO International Literary Data 2014 reports although the literacy rates for adults and youths continues to rise, young women aged 15–24 are still lagging behind their male counterparts.

Girls with access to an education marry later, and have fewer and healthier children © Flickr / DFATD Canada

3. Your learning never ends

An education can give you the simplest of privileges, such as the ability to read a book, read the train timetable, participate in debate or community action, or understand world news.

But it’s also an opportunity to demand a better lifestyle. Indira Gandhi’s notable 1974 speech on the power of women’s education is a testament to how education is more than the classroom; it can develop over years, improve working conditions and salaries, expand philosophies and values, and encourage self-expression.

Women and girls receive health education at Baqi Tanah, Afghanistan © Flickr / DVIDSHUB

4. Your health is improved

Education can save lives.

The Global Campaign for Education found that seven million cases of HIV could be prevented in the next decade if every child receives a primary school education.

Women with an education are 50% more likely to be educated on HIV/AIDS, and therefore, immunise their children and seek out prenatal care. In countries with high rates of HIV/AIDS, up to 77% of shortages in teachers are caused by HIV infections.

Nine month old receiving measles injection in Ethiopia © Flickr / Pete Lewis / DFID

5. You can stand up for the rights of others

The phrase “The pen is mightier than the sword” is true, Malala said in a speech at the UN Youth Assembly in 2013.

After learning she won the Nobel Peace Prize last week, Malala finished out the school day and then told the international media her conjoined win with Kailash Satyarthi was a “message to people” that mutual support is possible.

“It does not matter the colour of your skin, what language you speak, what religion you believe in. It is that we should all consider each other as human beings and respect each other.”

Your education matters. Use it to keep learning, improve your wellbeing and health, and help others by standing up for basic educational rights for all.

Education is the key to a better world © Flickr / DFAT