Where Does Education Stand? by Savanna

Where Does Education Stand? by Savanna - January 2021 Scholarship Essay

Here in the United States, every child goes to school for at least 12 years; some go to private schools, public schools, online schools, or homeschool. Beyond that, some choose to pursue further education while others do not. Within our society, schooling is a very normal thing. But what if it wasn’t? How would that change our views, our social lives, our interests, our lives? For many around the world, school isn’t common. In some places school is treated as if it were a privilege when it is a right.
Before I can explain why education is a right, we need to establish what the definition of a human right is. According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, “Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world… These basic rights are based on shared values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect, and independence”. Education falls under many of these shared values including fairness, equality, and independence.
Education does much more for us than just teach us our ABC’s and 123’s. It allows us to become responsible and independent beings. It also gives us knowledge that helps us pursue things that are fulfilling in our lives.
It would not be fair to put a person without access to education in the same world as someone with access to basic education and say they are equals; because they would not be. They would also not have equal opportunities to pursue happiness. And that is just not fair.
That is why education is a right. Rights ensure we all have the most opportunity for equality. We are all human; and, we all wish for something in life. Education guides us to have responsibility and independence. Which then allows every one of us to pursue happiness.