L'éducation

THIS was in the NY Times today. (Are you getting sick of my links yet?) I found this story particularly touching. Not only does it stress to importance of education as a means of development, but it relates just how much people will sacrifice in order to obtain what I take for granted. In reading various books (Three Cups of Tea, etc) I have decided that education in under-developed countries, especially for girls, is priceless. Which is why I was more than a little disconcerted a few weeks ago as I found on Facebook some parents complaining on how much homework their children had. Some comments included things like "They [their children] go to school for 7 hours a day, so why do they have homework? It should all get done at school." and "Between dance, cheer, piano, insert extracurricular activity here, we don't have time for homework." Granted, I am not a mother and my attitudes may change once I become one, but I think that there is a mix-up of priorities in some of the above comments. Education is pivotal in the development of the individual and society as a whole. Every opportunity to learn should be taken, even at an early age. I am grateful to parents who stressed my schoolwork above all other activities because it taught me how to work and gave me a thirst for discovery. This story is a wonderful reminder to me that as a result of my place of birth, I have incredible educational opportunities that I about which I should never complain.