Education systems

GOP Votes to Block Plan to Waive Student Loans

Posted on by Alphonzo Jerri

Last Wednesday, the bill that would revoke US President Joe Biden’s plan for student debt relief will proceed to the Senate as most Republicans voted in agreement. The bill that would block the plan to waive around $20,000 worth of student loans was passed with 218-203 votes. There were also at least two democrats who sided with the Republicans in favor of the bill.

Americans who would benefit from the plan are students who have less than  $125,000 as their individual income. The decision of the Supreme Court regarding the repeal is to be expected before June ends.

Republicans Determined to Stop the Mass Student Debt Relief Plan

Republicans are set on keeping the mass student debt relief plan from happening. Aside from the debt-relief block, the bill would entail resumption of student loan payment collection. The collection will include settlements for student loans that were temporarily postponed due to the global pandemic.

Once the Supreme Court passes judgment on the legislation, student loan payments will resume two months after June 30.

In favor of the repeal, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. believed that this would affect working citizens the most, as this would advance inflation.

Last month, the Republican party also voted against Biden’s plan of increasing the debt ceiling.

Education is the key: But access to knowledge remains closed to many

Posted on by Washington Hall

Millions of children worldwide have no opportunity to go to school. They are denied access even to basic education. And thus also the key to opportunities, perspectives, and the future.  Because of poverty, many children can’t receive 10th birthday gifts for girls.

Terrifying figures on the education situation worldwide

The World Education Report 2011, a publication by UNESCO, provides terrifying figures on the education situation worldwide: In 2008, a total of 67 million children did not go to school, 43 percent of these children lived in Sub-Saharan Africa and 27 percent in South and South Africa West Asia. Almost half of the children who do not go to school live in just 15 countries in the world, according to the report. The situation is particularly bad for children in Nigeria, Pakistan, and India.

Millennium Goal: Basic education for all

Children in rural regions in developing countries and poor children have the worst educational opportunities. It starts with primary school education. According to the second-millennium goal, every child should at least be able to complete elementary school, but this is far from being implemented.

Poverty impedes access to education

Hardship and poverty at home is a major reason why children are denied access to education. Parents cannot afford the school fees or the school uniforms for their children. Many children from poor families also often have to contribute to their livelihood and – instead of going to class – go to work. Even a long – often several kilometers walk – and often dangerous journey to school in rural areas keeps many children away from class.

Education systems are often catastrophic

And in the classroom, too, many circumstances make learning difficult. The education system in developing countries is often catastrophic, with a lack of money and teachers, classrooms, and teaching materials. And behind the school desk, too, poverty and malnutrition play an important role. Those who are hungry cannot concentrate, think, and learn.

Education is fundamental to progress and the future

Access to education remains closed to millions of people, and education is the key to development and the future. It starts with the mothers, who can better protect their children from diseases if they have a basic knowledge of hygiene and healthy eating. Such knowledge can lower child mortality. It continues with the girls and boys, who have better chances of lifting themselves out of poverty. Because anyone who has an apprenticeship finds a job easier. And ultimately, education also enables women and girls to develop their own income opportunities and lead a self-determined life.