Towards a true globalised education
Rossana Favero-Karunaratna
The disparities of the experiences among the people of the world
contribute to the existence of a fragmented picture regarding education.
It may be all about choices but for children in many countries of the
world they have been reduced to none. The quality of education will not
only lead to different opportunities in life for children but will have
a tremendous impact on the teachers’ visions and convictions as well.
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Education: All careers must be directed to assist the society |
It is a fact that in our countries education is conditioned by
economic resources or social status. Education is not equal for all; the
rest is just a set of beautiful thoughts. The reality shows that while
it is quite important to reform systems and guarantee access to
education to every child, it is equally important not to forget how
decisions taken in other areas such as national security do have an
impact in the lives of children around the world regarding their access
to education, information and a better life. Economic policies may
determine the future of the children within a household or a community,
but other policies have a strong impact on resources and how they are
assigned in national budgets.
How will inclusiveness be strong enough to really guarantee education
for all? How will inclusiveness overcome the cruel effects of
malnutrition and hunger?
I believe differences -more than common spaces-have an important role
to play regarding education and that all societies-not just a few- can
truly benefit of them.
Wisdom
As Justice Christopher Weeramantry (referring to International Law)
explained some years ago, there is a need to incorporate in our
discourse “the wisdom of all the world’s cultures”. This is an enormous
reservoir of inspiration which must transform our ideas about the world.
This is what we call “experiential knowledge” beyond borders!
We need change but within what we would call “true globalized
education” under equal terms of value , where experiences and wisdom
from the poor can be also respected and truly incorporated by others who
are eager to show the impact of advanced knowledge that finally needs to
be shared with the rest. That is the real change or may be challenge.
Looking at this particular scenario, it is amazing what Cuba has
achieved, promoting and sharing knowledge even with distant countries.
Their weapons: ideas and books. Cuba eradicated illiteracy from its
territory and its educational level is one of the highest in the world.
And it is not only that: any Cuban can discuss on international events
and the political situation in different countries: they are well
informed.
You will find people who want to leave but you will find people who
want to stay. They have access to education, medical care and area
exposed to one of the most creative artistic movements in the world,
expressed in a variety of film festivals and literary events.
Cuba offers scholarships to several countries, including Sri Lanka.
Education is imparted in Spanish language but the applicants follow one
year Spanish language course. The students will be sharing the same
conditions as any Cuban student and most of all; they will learn to live
in solidarity, participating in community work and community activities.
They will experience the unfair conditions generated by the economic
embargo but most of all they will realize that even those can be fought
through their commitment. All careers must be directed to assist the
society where one lives in order to generate our own resources to
provide better conditions, especially to the ones who face more
difficulties.
Teachers
Cuba is the country with the highest number of teachers per person-
(1 teacher for 36 inhabitants). They expect to have one educator in
general education ready to be assigned to 15 secondary students. There
are 94 careers available in the University system. 60% of the Cuban
people are studying in the higher educational level.
The University of Havana is the oldest in Cuba. It was founded in
1728 and it has educated more than 1500 students from developing
countries representing 65 countries. Presently the University has more
than 60 thousand students currently involved in 32 different careers.
Cuba was affected during 2008, by the power of hurricanes Ike and
Gustav. Universities responded to the need of the hour.The University of
Pinar del Rio , immediately sent a message to the world:
Reconstruction
“The work of the men and women dedicated to science, technology and
innovation is now more important than ever. Facing the enormous task of
reconstruction, we will continue working without rest to continue to
advance contributing from Cuba to international science.
In the middle of these difficult circumstances, we make a solidarity
call to our colleagues anywhere in the world to support the recovery of
the enormous casualties inflicted to Cuba by the hurricanes Ike and
Gustav and to alleviate the difficult conditions that have been left
behind this meteorological phenomenon.
“We make a call to our colleagues in the United States of America to
join forces to ask to the Government of their country to end all the
restrictions of economic, commercial and financial character against
Cuba and to allow our country, the acquisition of the essential
resources in the American markets, in attention to the urgent needs that
tens of thousands of our compatriots face”. |
