In the assignment, you should explore affordable and clean energy as an external determinant influencing the education systems of South Africa and two other developing countries.
1. Describe the situation of affordable and clean energy in SA and two other developing countries and how affordable and clean energy influences these countries´ education systems.
2. Critically discuss the differences and similarities that can be identified based on affordable and clean energy as an external determinant of education systems in South Africa and those two countries.
3. Demonstrate the best practices that each country may employ based on affordable and clean energy as the tenth Sustainable Development Goal.
1. Situation of affordable and clean energy in South Africa and two other developing countries:
South Africa: South Africa is heavily dependent on coal for its energy needs, resulting in high levels of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, there has been a push towards renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, but the transition has been slow due to financial constraints and political challenges. The lack of access to affordable and clean energy in South Africa not only contributes to environmental degradation but also impacts the education system. Many schools in remote areas do not have access to reliable electricity, leading to limited internet connectivity, inadequate lighting for studying, and difficulties in storing and preparing food for school feeding programs.
India: India is one of the world's largest consumers of coal and is facing challenges in transitioning to cleaner sources of energy. The country has made progress in expanding its renewable energy capacity, but grid reliability and affordability remain issues. The lack of access to affordable and clean energy in India affects the education system by hindering the adoption of digital learning technologies, limiting the availability of electricity for studying at night, and compromising the health and well-being of students and teachers in schools without proper ventilation or air purification.
Brazil: Brazil has made significant advancements in developing its renewable energy sector, particularly in hydropower and biofuels. However, the country still relies heavily on fossil fuels for its energy needs, leading to environmental degradation and health issues. The lack of access to affordable and clean energy in Brazil impacts the education system by limiting the deployment of energy-efficient technologies in schools, increasing operational costs, and contributing to climate change-related disruptions such as extreme weather events that can disrupt schooling calendars.
2. Differences and similarities in affordable and clean energy as an external determinant of education systems:
Differences:
- South Africa faces unique challenges in transitioning to clean energy due to its historical reliance on coal and the legacy of apartheid-era energy infrastructure.
- India's burgeoning population and rapid urbanization present different challenges in ensuring equitable access to affordable and clean energy for education facilities across diverse regions.
- Brazil's extensive natural resources and renewable energy potential provide opportunities for transitioning to cleaner sources of energy, but political and economic factors can hinder progress in the sector.
Similarities:
- All three countries face issues related to energy access and affordability, which in turn impact education systems by limiting resources for digital learning tools, health and well-being in school facilities, and operational efficiency in schools.
- The transition to affordable and clean energy requires concerted efforts from government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders to address policy and regulatory barriers, financial constraints, and technical capacity constraints.
3. Best practices based on affordable and clean energy as the tenth Sustainable Development Goal:
- South Africa can prioritize investments in renewable energy infrastructure in underserved regions with high energy poverty rates, leveraging public-private partnerships and international cooperation for funding and technical support.
- India can promote the adoption of energy-efficient technologies in schools and leverage renewable energy sources for decentralized electricity generation to improve access and reliability in rural areas.
- Brazil can strengthen regulatory frameworks to incentivize renewable energy deployment in the education sector, establish sustainability standards for school facilities, and integrate climate change education into curricula to raise awareness about the importance of transitioning to clean energy.