Inequality in education

Discrimination in education
Dependence on prejudicial treatment in education
Segregation in education
Active prejudice within education system

Nature

Unlimited educational opportunity is only available to the rich, and to a few among those of genius and talent who are poor, if they are discovered. In developed countries it is the universities and colleges which are out of reach for millions; in the developing countries it is education after age thirteen or fourteen. Even where free education is available, the poor student lacks equal nutrition, equal probability of good health, and equal reinforcement in their family environment for their scholastic endeavours. Minority students are discriminated against in a number of ways, up to and including the practice of apartheid or racial segregation and enrolment in inferior schools. Segregation on the basis of sex, aptitude, handicap or intelligence testing is also widespread.

Background

Inequality in education emerged as a recognized global concern in the mid-20th century, highlighted by UNESCO’s 1960s reports on disparities in access and quality across nations. Subsequent international assessments, such as the OECD’s PISA studies, revealed persistent gaps linked to socioeconomic status, gender, and geography. These findings spurred worldwide policy debates and initiatives, underscoring the enduring and complex nature of educational disparities despite decades of reform efforts.

Incidence

Inequality in education persists as a significant global issue, affecting millions of children and youth across both developed and developing countries. Disparities in access, quality, and outcomes are evident along lines of income, gender, ethnicity, and geography. According to UNESCO, over 244 million children and adolescents were out of school worldwide in 2022, with marginalized groups facing the greatest barriers to educational opportunities and resources.
In 2023, a report by Human Rights Watch highlighted severe educational disparities in Lebanon, where the economic crisis forced many public schools to close or reduce hours, disproportionately impacting refugee and low-income students.

Claim

Segregation in education on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, and class leads to inequality of opportunity and contributes to the persistence of prejudice and discrimination, and in the case of age, to inflexibility in the educational system.