Radar | Aug 22,2020
Dec 4 , 2021
By Christian Tesfaye
For a while now, we have been used to thinking that we live in a dark time in history. The rise of illiberalism, extremism, and protectionism worldwide has served as the first signs of hard times to come for societies. In 2020, a global pandemic infected over a quarter of a billion people (those that have been reported), killed at least 5.2 million people and almost destroyed economies. In Ethiopia, we have had a civil war raging since last year, harming almost every facet of our lives and putting young generations' future at stake. Under such circumstances, cynicism is obviously on the rise.
Is this the twilight of human civilisation or, with global warming, even of the human species?
It is hard to stay optimistic in these times, but there are some reasons to do so. We are not the first generation to believe that the end is near – with the way social media algorithms work, the fear level has run riot. We are only presented with a challenge. If past generations managed to push through, there is no reason we cannot as well.
If anything, we are living in the age of simultaneous regression and unprecedented progress. Sure, we are amid an unwieldy pandemic, but scientists also developed a vaccine in a year. Global warming is on the rise but some of the world’s most capitalised firms are tech companies, including Tesla, an electric car company. Innovations in fintech, green technologies, AI and the space industry are noteworthy.
None of these even compare to the greatest weapon known to humankind: information. Admittedly, its use to the advantage of human wellbeing has been sparing. Most people, especially in Ethiopia, only use the internet to get political updates, post photos or get in touch with loved ones. The pre-internet age science fiction writers never imagined that we would have nearly every bit of knowledge and wisdom ever recorded at our fingertips, and even less, we would misuse it to such an extent.
There is still hope that all of this information could be turned around and put to good use. This is through the democratisation and accessibility of education. Modern higher learning institutions have become profit-making companies that deny low-income households and countries the credentials necessary for entry into the job market and the knowledge base to thrive in our modern world. History will look back at them as one of the main challenges to progress for humanity.
And then there are the initiatives that give hope. It is one thing to have a wealth of information at one's fingertips, quite another to have it organised and make it accessible enough for learners. There are several efforts now to make the latter possible and imbue the youth from developing and low-income countries with the competitive advantage that has been privileged for the rich.
One of the unique learning platforms is Khan Academy. It does not cost a penny but it offers anyone with an internet connection colourful and surprisingly well put together lecture videos and quizzes on most subjects. It stays afloat through donations.
Others like Coursera and Udemy offer online basic-to-advanced college courses delivered by university professors. There are sometimes peer-reviewed assignments and discussion boards. These courses usually conclude with a certificate - fees can be waived for students without the means to pay.
Perhaps most promising is initiatives such as the University of the People, an aptly named US-accredited distance-learning institution. It is tuition-free so students are not expected to dole out tens of thousands of dollars. There are administrative fees, around 3,000 dollars, but there is financial aid even for this.
These efforts are necessary to democratise education across the world. The credentials of these institutions need to be recognised by more institutions and supported financially to provide education more accessibly. Billions of capable youth from low-income countries and households are locked out of higher education learning, perpetuating their poverty. If this is not addressed soon, there are even fewer reasons to be optimistic for the world.
PUBLISHED ON
Dec 04,2021 [ VOL
22 , NO
1127]
Radar | Aug 22,2020
My Opinion | Feb 29,2020
Commentaries | Aug 20,2022
Commentaries | Apr 20,2019
Agenda | Nov 13,2021
Agenda | Aug 31,2019
Verbatim | Jan 18,2019
News Analysis | Jan 05,2020
Advertorials | Apr 10,2023
Viewpoints | Aug 31,2019
Photo Gallery | 97651 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 89889 Views | Apr 26,2019
My Opinion | 67466 Views | Aug 14,2021
Commentaries | 65862 Views | Oct 02,2021
Editorial | May 02,2024
Feb 24 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Abel Yeshitila, a real estate developer with a 12-year track record, finds himself unable to sell homes in his latest venture. Despite slash...
Feb 10 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In his last week's address to Parliament, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) painted a picture of an economy...
Jan 7 , 2024
In the realm of international finance and diplomacy, few cities hold the distinction that Addis Abeba doe...
Sep 30 , 2023 . By AKSAH ITALO
On a chilly morning outside Ke'Geberew Market, Yeshi Chane, a 35-year-old mother cradling her seven-month-old baby, stands amidst the throng...
May 2 , 2024
For successive generations of Ethiopia's tax authorities, the chore of tax collection...
Apr 27 , 2024
The Prosperity Party (PP) - Prosperitians - is charting a course through treacherous...
Apr 20 , 2024
In a departure from its traditionally opaque practices, the National Bank of Ethiopia...
Apr 13 , 2024
In the hushed corridors of the legislative house on Lorenzo Te'azaz Road (Arat Kilo)...
May 3 , 2024
The feel-good life coaching industry would have people believe that success is not only about showing up in the swirling whirl of modern lif...
May 4 , 2024 . By BERSABEH GEBRE
Brook Taye (PhD), the director general of the newly established Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA), has issued a stern warning to com...
May 4 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Dreams of an agriculture sector unshackled from the whims of rain remain tethered to the struggling Minis...
May 4 , 2024
Large public projects exceeding 250 million Br will be required to use Building Information Modelling (BI...