Problem
The pathways to education differ throughout the entire world; some people have more access than others to different forms of education.
Sustainable Development Goals
04
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
08.
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
10.
Reduce inequality within and among countries
16.
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17.
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
Problem Statement
As a high school Senior, there is much in my educational path ahead of me. In Warner dorm, I have been talking with friends from a variety of countries to understand how these educational pathways differ. For instance, in Germany, the vocational vs. college pathway is determined in 5th grade while in China and Korea, a single standardized test determines one’s future in college acceptance.
This led me to a whirlwind of research, exploring articles and books to see how these different systems affect access to education as a whole. All the while, the college route in the US is rising as, according to the Common App, “Total application volume through March 1 rose 30% from 2019–20 (5,434,484) to 2022–23 (7,057,980). Applicants were also applying to more (colleges) in 2022–23 than in 2019–20 (+8% from 5.3 to 5.7 applications per applicant).” Worldwide, according to The London School of Economics, “In 2021, the average share of 25–34-year-olds with a tertiary qualification in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries was 48 percent compared with 27 percent in 2000.”
Now that we can see how this search for higher education is rising, we must ask is higher education really equitable? Now that I have set out on this journey to understand this far-reaching problem, I have two main questions I want to answer: What is the benefit of being admitted to universities with such low acceptance rates worldwide? And, how can the pathways to education be more equitable in every country?
