But even though I joke of the importance of what I learn in school, I am certainly blessed to have such an understanding of higher math since secondary education seems like a given in the United States. Unfortunately, this state of mind can't be said for my fellow high school students around the world.
According to UNICEF's 2011 State of the World's Children Report, millions of adolescents globally have not completed a full course of quality primary education that would prepare them to participate in secondary education. More than 70 million adolescents of lower secondary age are out of school, with sub-Saharan Africa the most affected region. Some children are not transitioning to secondary school at typical ages while other children drop out entirely.
The cost of secondary education tends to be more than that of primary school, so many families can't afford to send their children there entirely. In developing countries, girls are lagging behind in secondary attendance to their male counterparts. Secondary education contributes to greater civic participation and helps to combat youth violence, sexual harassment and human trafficking. It results in a range of longterm health benefits, including lower infant mortality, later marriage, reduced domestic violence, lower fertility rates and social empowerment. But through the work of groups like Givology, these students are given a chance to continue their educations by being given the tools needed to excel.
You see, it's not just the numbers at stake here. 70 million out of school. 54% of those girls. Even though statisticians continue to put together figures, it does not take a mathematician to realize that these numbers are translating to things beyond just math.
