Now, many children in Japan have to give up receiving higher education because of poverty. I don’t think going to university is the best choice above all. However, it is wrong that children cannot chase their original dream due to poverty. What can we do to save them? Today, I would like you to suggest a solution to inequality in education caused by poverty as the one who is born to a poor single mother family. Through this article, I want you to know reality of disparity in education.
Then, why inequality in education happens? Two reasons are thinkable. First reason is lack of cultural capital.Cultural capital is the accumulation of knowledge, behaviors and skills that demonstrate one’s cultural competence, social status and standing in society. For instance, playing the musical instrument in childhood or playing tennis, that kind of experience are considered as cultural capital.So, do you remember your mother reading a night time story to you or playing in the park? Yes, I remember that.That experience creates my current hobby and interests.But, my brother does not have that memory since my mother was so busy.Therefore, even now on, he is not interested in novels, or any sports.His interest does not grow. It is called the lack of the cultural capital and a reason, why poor children are unwilling to go to higher educational institution.This cause the huge impact to the disparity in education as cultural capital directly connected to willingness for study.But even we have cultural capital, still the problem remains.
So, the second reason is student is not informed enough about higher educational institution and supporting system to go there.It is said that it cost 23,700,000yen to raise one child until he graduates from university, which is by 45 times higher than in 1969.The poor cannot afford it. Some of you may think “Then, they can apply for scholarship,” but the thing is not so easy. The scholarship mainly used in Japan is loan type, which means we have to pay certain amount of money per month after graduation.And the problem is in high schools where most students work after graduation, they do not put enough information about grant-type scholarships and tell student much about job hunting.Even though they try to look for the information by themselves, they do not know where to start. Therefore, students tend to work after they graduate because they worry about money that they have to pay after graduation and know very little about scholarship.Actually, from 2018, finally the system of grant-type scholarship is being started. However, The Mainichi reported the number of the student who applies for the scholarship is less than that of government expected. National High School organization meeting claims that one of the reasons is student is not informed enough about grant-type scholarship. This eventually promotes the circle of poverty because between those who graduate from high school and those who graduate from university, a huge salary gap exists when they become older.
Now, you might think it is none of my business but if this continues on, it will cause a big damage to Japanese society. Something has to be done.
So here, I suggest “Katariba, Adachi base”. Have you ever heard of it? Katariba is the place where university students or adults talk with high school students about their life, future or anything.
Although a lot of volunteer group exist to solve this issue, Katariba is the best group because this is the only group that sees this problem from different angles. By joining Katariba and, widen their hobby, children can increase their cultural capital. Also, students who lack information about grant-type scholarship can get it. This resolves the financial affairs, too. Katariba can deal with these problems.
Actually, you can support this activity very easily. All you have to do is donate 1000 yen to this group. You only have to save money for 1 lunch per month and children can get a chance to choose their own future.
In the end, no matter how poor children are, their lives continue tomorrow too.All children have right to choose their own future.They cannot be limited by money.Now, your help is needed.Let’s support children for tomorrow.Decline the number of children who suffer from poverty from 1 out of 7 to 1 out of 100.Together, we can do it.
by ohitashiofhourensou