The Role of Teachers in Universal Education

The role of teachers in universal education cannot be undermined in any society whose aims are to reach the height of any civilization and then be abreast with the current of the 21st century. Since the teacher’s role is to make judgments about how best to help their students learn in the environments in which they teach, this means the teacher is a very necessary actor on the stage of any societal development and advancement of progressive policies.

The teacher must also be recognized as a leader who works tirelessly for both the mental and spiritual growth of their students. As a leader creating or building leaders, the teacher’s role is therefore invaluable and must be respected.

Universal education is not merely about attending school; it also emphasizes quality learning that equips individuals with the skills needed to thrive in today’s world. By understanding its definition, we can better appreciate its significance and the global movement to achieve it.

What is Universal Education?

Universal access to education is the ability of all people to have equal opportunity in education, regardless of their social class, race, gender, sexuality, ethnic background or physical and mental disabilities.

It was around the 1830s that Horace Mann, a Massachusetts legislator and secretary of that state’s board of education, initiated the movement that would be advocating for the creation of public schools that would be universally available to all children, free of charge, and funded by the government of a state.

Why is Universal Education Important?

Universal education has long been recognized as the cornerstone of societal progress. Yet, millions worldwide still face barriers to accessing even the most basic forms of learning. Universal education, the idea that every individual, regardless of their background, should have access to quality education, remains a fundamental goal for many nations.

Why is Universal Education Important? Universal education plays a crucial role in closing the gender gap. In many parts of the world, girls face significant barriers to education, from cultural norms to safety concerns. Ensuring education for all, particularly for girls, leads to improved health outcomes, reduced child mortality, and greater economic contributions. Educating women and girls is one of the most cost-effective investments a society can make. Studies have shown that every additional year of schooling for girls increases their future earnings by up to 20%. According to UNICEF, getting every child in school and learning is essential because it will:

• Reduce global poverty
• Improve health
• Foster peace
• Bolster democracy
• Improve environmental sustainability
• Increase gender equality

Universal education is important for the development of any society. It allows individuals to access knowledge and acquire the skills necessary for personal growth and success.

The need for universal education is urgent, especially in developing countries, where it can help reduce poverty, and inequality, and promote economic growth.

The importance of universal education extend beyond the individual to society at large, including improved health, social cohesion, and a more informed citizenry. Despite progress on the global scene, many challenges remain, such as inadequate funding, lack of access, and poor quality education.

Universal education is a basic human right that must be accessible to all, regardless of their social status. It is essential for building a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable world for future generations.

The Role of Teachers in Universal Education

Teachers do more than just share knowledge; they also care for students’ feelings, encourage them to adapt, and help nurture their talents. Let’s explore some key roles of teachers in universal education:

• Sharing Knowledge

This is the most important of all the roles expected of a teacher to take in inculcating knowledge across the world. That is why it firstly recognized the role of teachers in universal education composed in this article. Sharing knowledge, giving education, and teaching about life constitute this primary responsibility. All other roles of an educator are derived from this primary role of a teacher. This role gives birth to other roles.

Generally, teachers mean to teach students the specific syllabus and impart knowledge about the specific curriculum. Their duty is to make sure that students understand what is being taught to them in the classroom or in online teaching or in e-learning setup. Teachers must therefore fulfill this basic duty; otherwise, they won’t be able to fulfill other duties.

• Supplying resource

This role is like that of a library. The teacher is just an assessor or the internet, they are always there and the students can turn into the teacher for help anytime but most of the work is done by the students. In this role, the teacher asks the students to take classes, seminars, etc. and when they are stuck, the teacher helps them with the subject knowledge that he/she has. As the name suggests, they act as a resource for the students.

• Leading the Practice

When a teacher demonstrates the concepts and ideas, the learning is more effective. A teacher leads in demonstrating the knowledge they share by crossing boundaries and limit to ensure that the students have a meaningful experience. By being a leader and a doer in that field, education is respected and given the respect accorded it. Leading the practice is the role of teachers in universal education and it should be imbibed.

• Making Learning Fun

Given the uniqueness of every child and their choices, some students like studying while some students do not. It therefore becomes a responsibility of any teacher to teach students in such a way that they enjoy learning and focus on learning. They should adopt a fun method of teaching to teach students instead of a lecture method. This is the role of teachers in universal education.

• Deputizing Responsibilities

A teacher is not selfish or a know-it-all. Rather he is someone who delegates responsibilities and just overviews the overall functioning of the classroom. They are neither highly involved nor show less involvement. They give the students ownership and are mostly seen when learning occurs through group activities and classroom discussions. This is best suited for subjects that require group activities. English, Chemistry, Physics, and in the sort of subjects that require lab activities, the teacher often assumes the role of the one who deputizes roles so as to make leaders out of the students too.

• Counseling for Improvement

The teacher also perform this responsibility as one of the roles of teachers in universal education. A teacher is more than just playing the role of imparting knowledge into the students; he or she is also expected to be able to provide advice in times when students are either stepping out of the line or are losing focus from the main goal.

• Boosting Confidence

If a teacher appreciates and boosts the confidence of their students, it will be more effective for students. With encouragement, a teacher can make students cross any barrier. Students get encouragement with words of appreciation such as ‘good job,’ ‘well done’, ‘come on,’ and ‘keep it up’. Right words at the right time can do wonders too in boosting confidence. This another of the role of teachers in universal education.

To imrove universal education in the society, there should be a setting of global targets for closing the gender gap and achieving universal education, the governments and development advocates should focus on the need to build more schools and increase enrollment rates for women and girls.

Achieving universal education requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of inequities while promoting innovative solutions. Here are some key strategies:

1. Innovative approaches

Innovative approaches are transforming universal education to make it universally accessible. For instance, community-led education programs can also play a vital role in enhancing inclusivity, addressing educational disparities and meeting the evolving needs of society. Microlearning has emerged as an alternative to traditional classroom-based approaches, facilitating flexibility, personalized learning, and cost-effectiveness.

As systems continue to evolve, bringing in new paradigms aimed at making universal education more accessible and inclusive. There is a growing need to leverage these approaches and tools to empower learners, regardless of race, culture, or location, and enable them to participate fully in the global community.

2. Governments must prioritize education

Governments must prioritize education in their budgets. This includes funding for school infrastructure, teacher training, and educational materials. Countries like Finland and Singapore, known for their exemplary education systems, invest heavily in their education sectors.

Adequate government spending can reduce reliance on fees and ensure that even the most marginalized populations have access to quality education. Policies that make schooling free and compulsory are crucial in this regard.

3. Global organizations Aid 

Global organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and the World Bank play a pivotal role in funding and implementing educational initiatives. Programs like the Global Partnership for Education have already helped millions of children access schooling.

Collaborative efforts between nations, non-profits, and private sector stakeholders can pool resources and expertise, amplifying the impact of educational programs worldwide.

4. Technology Integration

Technology can bridge the gap in education access. Digital tools and online platforms provide learning opportunities to students in remote areas. For instance, many online academy offer free or affordable online courses, making universal education more accessible.

Moreover, mobile learning applications and satellite internet can bring universal education to regions without traditional infrastructure, ensuring that no child is left behind.

5. Empowering marginalized communities

Empowering marginalized communities through education is a key step towards a more equal society. Girls education is particularly crucial as it benefits not only the girls themselves but also their families and communities.

Additionally, universal education for refugees can provide a path towards a better future, allowing them to contribute to society and integrate into their host communities.

Indigenous universal education and empowerment are also important, as they recognize the unique cultures and perspectives of indigenous communities and provide them with the tools to succeed. By improving universal education, we can create a brighter and more equitable future for all.