Soaring energy prices bring difficult times for many households already facing other higher bills. But increasing energy costs also represent a huge burden on school budgets and can directly impact the education of children and youth. The education sector, already affected by two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now facing new challenges. We discussed this topic with several education experts. Check out what they think by reading our article.
Key Takeaways:
- One of the consequences of rising energy costs is that energy poverty greatly reduces teaching resources and classroom materials.
- As a result of energy savings, during the cold season, most schools could be forced to go online as in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Long-term solutions, according to experts, would be for schools to consider alternative ways to make buildings more energy efficient through measures such as insulation and by using energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
DevelopmentAid: What are the consequences of rising energy costs for the education sector and how can these be mitigated?
As a consequence of the rise in energy, two things become evident: the overall cost of educational provision rises and the cost of maintaining schools increases. Schools rely heavily on energy to maintain buildings and to power the equipment that is essential for a functioning school. Also, the effect of the rising costs on fixed budgets, already under pressure, will lead to cuts in other areas, such as curricula development, and extra curricula activities. Mitigating the consequences of rising energy costs in the short term and long term will require different approaches. In the short term, reports suggest that only significant stakeholders, such as governments, businesses, or local philanthropists and charities, can offer immediate assistance to struggling institutions. Long term, schools will need to consider alternative mitigating solutions. One way is to make buildings more energy efficient. This can be done through measures such as insulation and by using energy-efficient lighting and appliances. Another way to offset rising energy costs is to generate power through solar panels or wind
turbines. These measures can help to reduce the impact of rising energy costs on education budgets and keep schools running smoothly. Finally, schools need to engage the entire school community to find and embrace solutions that will protect the education of children and young people.
See also: UN SDG 4 Education and learning: Where is South Africa?
The emotions, experience, and knowledge we take with us from childhood into adulthood affect us for better or for worse. Every child needs food, shelter, and warmth, and every child needs education. Whether a child is taught in a small hut in rural Africa or a large modern school in a European capital, we all remember the teachers who had an impact on us, on our development, and who shaped us as adults. As the energy crisis continues today, in some schools in the United Kingdom, for example, energy costs have soared by an astonishing 500%! This will inevitably mean cuts to resources and staffing. Children, the innocent of this age, will be the ones who suffer the consequences, and that suffering can be carried into adulthood. What can we do? Stop the wars, of course; criticize the hubris of political leaders and warmongers; protect education with a shift in government priorities and spending. Make education a priority. Pay teachers well, for they are the ones who train the future leaders of the planet. Develop alternative energy sources. Plan for the financial hits to come. Promote science to find alternative sources of energy and encourage the fossil fuel giants to do the research.
See also: International Day of Education: challenges and perspectives | Experts’ Opinions
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