Is Education a Right or a Privilege? by Emma

Is Education a Right or a Privilege? by Emma - January 2021 Scholarship Essay

Is education a right or a privilege? When being asked this question as a high school student and senior I would say it's more like a punishment after these thirteen years. Though my years of education have been difficult and most definitely a hardship, without them I would not have become the person I am today. My education has not only taught me in an educational setting but in a life setting.
When going back in history we are taught that only the privileged and white were educated and even though I am white I am in no way privileged to have an education as they once were. Fortunate enough as the years have gone on this has changed, at the beginning of time only the priest and men of God were known to be educated. Later after that the royal families were also known to be educated. When the discovery of the new world began it was documented that from then on, most white males were educated with the addition of few of the plantation families' daughters. Now in most free countries everyone is given the opportunity for an education.
Since we live in a free country, presently everyone is given the opportunity for a free and appropriate education and even though it is required for a child to attend school the opportunity is very much so a right. When thinking of other countries that are not free as our county is, you have to think of the fact that not everyone is given the opportunity for an education as we are. Other countries do not have the resources as a free country like America has to provide to their citizens when it comes to education. What we have as a right like education is also seen as a privilege to less free of countries. Let alone is it a privilege that anyone has an opportunity to educate themselves, but a woman given the opportunity of education as us women in America are is definitely a privilege to others. Many women are not given many opportunities for anything let alone an education.
In conclusion, when looking at the question is education a right or a privilege, you must look at it from a whole world perspective, not just from the comfort of our free country. When you ask me as an American, I would definitely say that it is a right but to other women in other countries it would be seen as a privilege and a privilege most are not given. But for a simple answer I think that education is not only a right but a necessity. With our ever-changing world I think education is important to learn our history and learn for our mistakes so we can continue to educate all.