When education is a costly dream: Necessity or Survival first?

by Hervinder Kaur

Today is my graduation day. A day that summed up years of work, perseverance, and determination. Amongst thousands of students, glittering robes and dresses, there’s a unanimous hope for a brighter future, a silent fear of what’s next and beaming radiance of every parent- and a deep sense of gratitude. Lost in the celebration of personal triumph, we forget that access to education is unfortunately and undeniably a privilege.

Safe schools, living in a secure nation, access to education aid, is a distant dream for students across warn-torn nations. A dream that is often shattered by bullets, bombs, fear and poverty. As you’re reading this, about one in three children are out of school, and that’s more than 100 million students globally.¹ Be it Palestine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, DR Congo, this is the grim reality for those reeling the effects of injustice, replacing their hopes for education with survival.

Bombed classrooms, imprisoning youth leaders and schools repurposed for military use rips off the dreams and hopes of children and youth, handicaps a nation facing its uncertain future. However, more than anything else, it displays a stark disparity between the fortunate and the disadvantaged, widening inequality on personal level. I know an energetic, bright, motivated student, ‘Kerry’*, from Myanmar, who could’ve been a beacon of hope amid war.

In 2022, Kerry was in the United States with a fully funded scholarship from the U.S. Department of State. Upon completing the semester exchange program, he returned home and witnessed his university burnt to ashes, his friends being arrested and his law school mates being imprisoned, or worse, shot. Not willing to give up on his dreams, he applied for opportunities to continue his remaining education in Thailand and was met with barriers at every turn.

In contrast, those on the wealthier end gained access to foreign scholarships, visas, and even completed their education in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and even Canada. To them, the world seemed full of opportunities and hope, while to Kerry it seemed that their life is crumbling on every end. This contrast isn’t an isolated incident, as it is observed at almost every single war-torn country, deepening many crises of disparity. While the ones who fled the conflict now have an opportunity to rebuild their nation, the ones left behind are facing a future of uncertainty.

This heartbreaking story of Kerry and his friends isn’t just yet another tale, it’s a reflection of a greater issue, that education is rather a fundamental right. War, politics, and poverty don’t just impact these students. It impacts every layer of the societal strata, for today, tomorrow and the future. Sympathy, on the other hand, while being a necessity, isn’t an adequate response. To help these young people whose dreams have already been broken, we must provide more opportunities—whether through targeted scholarships, skills development programs, or changes in policy. Schools and universities must be redefined as safe havens, not places of danger. In addition, leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence could offer a path to digital education for those in areas where traditional schools are unsafe. Furthermore, internships and fellowships should include visa assistance, making it easier for students in need of educational refuge to pursue opportunities abroad.

Having completed my own education with the help of scholarship, I deeply appreciate this privilege that is not shared by millions of youths across the world. As I step out of this graduation hall with wisdom, I cannot resist but imagine the plight of those who couldn’t even step into the classroom. The cost of inaction if far too expensive, costlier than the dream of a graduation.

Hervinder Kaur  recently graduated with a degree from Universiti Sains in Malaysia. Being an avid public speaker and an enthusiastic writer, he has realized how his voice and pen both have the power to unleash the unseen and unheard stories from people of different walks of life. His interest lies in amplifying the voices of marginalized youths, their pain points and their triumph. He hopes to continuously inspire other “common youths” to strive for their ambitions and inspire them that “dreams do come true”.

References:

1. “One in three children in conflict and fragile countries out of school – new analysis” (2024 IN REVIEW – One in three children in conflict and fragile countries out of school – new analysis | Save the Children International)
2. Education In Peril: The Human Cost Of War (Education In Peril: The Human Cost Of War)
3. Myanmar’s education crisis deepens under military rule (Myanmar’s education crisis deepens under military rule | East Asia Forum)
4. Military coup kills higher education dreams in Myanmar (Military coup kills higher education dreams in Myanmar | Politics News | Al Jazeera)
5. *Kerry*, name has been changed to protect anonymity.