Noor Academy virtual school has live secular and Islamic studies classes to foster well-rounded Muslim children who are prepared for the future. We offer a quality education via e-learning using our team of qualified educators and Azhari scholars. We’re a Muslim private school near you that’s always affordable. Enroll today.
Noor Academy scholars at the Baltimore National Aquarium.
As an Islamic school in Virginia, Noor Academy values quality education for all students. Quality education is a pillar of sustainable development, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) by the United Nations. The goal is to have inclusive and equitable education available for all children, worldwide. In the United States, educational opportunities remain divided. The US reported in 2015, the most recent year of data collection, that only 70% of primary age children were achieving at least a minimum proficiency in their studies.
Information that compares male/female with wealth status and urban/non-urban areas is only available from the same year for the fourth grade. Yet, it’s common knowledge that the areas where children are brought up and their economic factors play a big role in the quality of education they receive. As a parent, how can you help students in your area receive a quality education as a basic human right?
How to Contribute to Quality Education Under Sustainable Development Goal 4?
Here are some ways you can make a positive impact for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4)—which focuses on quality education:
Advocate for Quality Education Under SDG-4
Raise awareness about the importance of quality education as outlined in SDG 4 in your community. Share this blog article to help others see how important data is not available in the United States. Participate in educational assemblies and town halls where the public is welcomed to make your voice heard.
Volunteer for Quality Education and Sustainable Development Goals
Volunteer your time and skills to educational programs and schools. Schools of all sizes and types remain underfunded except private schools in wealthy areas. Noor Academy accepts volunteers for tutoring, extra curricular clubs, program coordinators, and the PTA. Mentoring students is one of the quickest ways to show kids you care and to help them achieve their goals for the future.
Promote Lifelong Learning with Quality Education
Quality education under SDG -4 also talks about continuing education. Being a lifelong learner raises your interest in and abilities to instruct others. Online coursework is available for free through Google and Coursera. Even if you don’t teach what you learn, you might instead help a child choose a viable career path.
Advocate for Quality Education Teachers
Teachers sacrifice their time, health and wealth and are rarely paid. Speaking in your community about more pay for teachers can help them receive fair compensation for their work.
Use Social Media to Promote Sustainable Development Goals
Your social media platform can help inspire positive change when you share educational content and information about educational opportunities. Perhaps you might have more resources than the people you know.
Why Quality Education Doesn’t Reach Everyone
According to the UN, 17% of the world’s children aren’t in school. While some children work to help support their families, other families simply cannot afford to educate their children and lack the resources to do it themselves. Here’s why:
Resource Allocation: Governments often allocate resources based on political pressure. Families with educational backgrounds, residing in urban areas, and belonging to cultural majorities tend to receive more attention. The UN says cultural minorities and poor people receive fewer resources from the government for infrastructure, equipment, teachers, supervision and general funding.
Language Barriers: Students’ access to education is influenced by the language they speak at home. A Latino student who speaks little English won’t thrive as well in a school in the United States, where English is spoken in school. Likewise, American students living abroad might suffer from a lack of educational opportunities because they don’t speak the local language well.
Work and Poverty: Children who work outside the home face challenges in attending school. In some countries, school courses are scheduled at night to accommodate children who work. But this doesn’t compensate if the books and supplies are out of reach.
Consequences of Educational Inequity and the Lack of Sustainable Developmental Goals
Inequality is the result of inequity. Inequity refers to lack of fairness or justice with resources, which leads to inequality. When resources and opportunities are distributed unevenly, resulting in unfairness or imbalances. Here are some examples:
Standardized Testing: Students living in poverty consistently score lower on standardized tests.
Reading and Math: Children at the end of primary school fail to achieve basic levels in reading and math, as discussed above.
Long-Term Impact: Educational inequity perpetuates cycles of poverty, limiting opportunities for future generations.
Nevertheless, educational equity remains a human right. Sustainable Development Goal 4 emphasizes the need for advocacy and targeted interventions to make sure all children receive a quality education.
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