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, Kenya and India.
3. Demonstrate the best practices that each country may employ based on affordable and clean energy as the tenth Sustainable Development Goal.
1.
South Africa:
South Africa faces a significant challenge in terms of energy, with unreliable and expensive electricity supply being a major issue. The country heavily relies on coal for energy production, which has detrimental environmental impacts, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This lack of affordable and clean energy hinders the development of the education system in South Africa, as schools may not have access to consistent electricity supply for teaching purposes. This can affect the quality of education and limit opportunities for students to access online resources or learn about sustainable energy practices.
Kenya:
In contrast, Kenya has made significant strides in promoting affordable and clean energy through initiatives such as the Kenya National Electrification Strategy. The country has invested in renewable energy sources like geothermal, wind, and solar power, increasing energy access for both urban and rural areas. This has positively impacted the education system in Kenya, as schools now have access to reliable electricity, enabling students to study after dark and use technology for learning purposes. This has improved educational outcomes and helped bridge the digital divide in the country.
India:
India faces similar challenges to South Africa in terms of energy access, with a large population still lacking access to electricity. However, India has made efforts to promote clean energy through initiatives like the National Solar Mission and the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana. These initiatives have helped increase the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix and improved access to electricity for schools and educational institutions. This has had a positive impact on the education system in India, allowing students to access educational resources online and reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels for energy generation.
2.
Differences:
- South Africa faces more significant challenges in terms of energy access compared to Kenya and India, resulting in a greater impact on the education system.
- Kenya has made significant progress in promoting clean energy compared to South Africa and India, leading to better access to electricity for schools.
- India has a larger population and energy demand compared to South Africa and Kenya, resulting in more complex challenges in transitioning to clean energy.
Similarities:
- All three countries face challenges in terms of energy access and affordability, impacting their education systems.
- The promotion of clean energy has had a positive impact on the education systems in all three countries, improving access to electricity and enabling the use of technology for learning purposes.
- Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are being increasingly utilized to address energy challenges in South Africa, Kenya, and India.
3.
Best practices:
- South Africa can learn from Kenya's successful promotion of clean energy and invest more in renewable energy sources to improve energy access for schools and educational institutions.
- Kenya can work on further diversifying its energy mix and promoting energy efficiency measures to ensure long-term sustainability and affordability of clean energy.
- India can continue to scale up its efforts in promoting clean energy and invest in grid infrastructure to ensure reliable electricity supply for schools and educational institutions. Additionally, promoting energy literacy and education on sustainable energy practices can help instill a culture of sustainability among students and the wider population.
In conclusion, affordable and clean energy plays a crucial role in influencing the education systems of developing countries like South Africa, Kenya, and India. By investing in renewable energy sources and promoting energy access and affordability, these countries can improve educational outcomes and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.