A nationwide shift in school education from on-campus classes to distance learning programs has opened the scarcity of resources in education. The educators were left wondering as they were not prepared for a distance learning schedule.
Educators were unable to acquire the resources for virtual classes. This scarcity of funds resulted in an increased number of dropouts from the school. Many of these youth are already facing economic instability, homelessness, and food insecurity.
Even teachers find it difficult to engage those students who cannot afford the essential resources for distance learning. A survey held on teachers estimates around 43% of the students are not being a part of distance learning in 2021. It is estimated that more than 50% of the students are disengaged due to no computer systems and internet facilities at their homes.
There are several effects of poverty in the field of education. Lack of resources to access the technology is only one of the reasons. In a study, 85% of teachers said that most of the students who quit distance learning do not have a guardian to look over their distance education.
Along with the challenge of coping with distance learning, students living on the edge of society are left behind further academically. Those educators who used to invest in students personally are nowhere in the picture. Even the education institutions are facing budgetary cuts as never before. Apart from all this bad news, there is some good news. Organizations are coming forward to support these students to continue their education. The Ahinoam Association is one such group.
Motive Behind Starting the Ahinoam Association
Eyal Edry, Moshe Edree, and Rafi Edry established the Ahinoam Association. They aim to provide equal opportunities to marginalized youth of Israeli society. The Association emphasizes educating children and youth living on the periphery.
The world is moving forward with great speed. New technologies are evolving each day. The world is turning into a global hut. Within no time, you can be connected to Sydney from Tel Aviv or New York to Beijing. The imaginary speed has offered unlimited employment opportunities across the world.
Unfortunately, the distance from Tel Aviv to Safed looks more than the stretch between London and Tel Aviv. This gap between Safed and Tel Aviv can be covered within a day and a night depending upon our desire to reduce the gap.
The Ahinoam Association provides a range of activities to young women and men. Volunteers of the Association come up with a tailor-made solution to the problems that youth face. Various programs are helping and supporting the marginalized youth in their upliftment in the longer term. The inspiring programs cover education from school level to graduation. They also integrate pupils into the job market.
Assistance to Needy Students with Technological Support
When distance learning stood as the last option to continue the education, nobody had an answer to the students not having a computer at home. Some institutions showed generosity and lent the computer systems to needy students. But again, a large number stood without any resources to continue their learning process.
The effect of poverty turned up, and the students without necessary resources started piling up the gaps. They fall behind in their classes, failing to cope with the course and other students of the batch. These factors are the main reasons for dropouts.
The Ahinoam Association recognized this problem faced by marginalized youth. Eyal Edry, Moshe Edree, and Refael Edry started a fundraising campaign. They soon raised a massive amount to buy 30,000 computers. The volunteers then distributed these computer systems to the needy students.
The computer systems distributed by Eyal Edry, Moshe Edree, and Refael Edry showed a significant change in society. Those students who stood disconnected by their curriculum regained their education opportunities. These students can now meet their friends online whom they have not met since the start of the covid-19 pandemic.
Learning on computers is still in progress. The students are happy to experience the new art of learning. The distribution of computer systems reflects the objective of the Ahinoam Association of providing equal opportunities. Educated youth is more important than anything else for the development of a country.
A Tough Route Ahead
Since the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic, the social welfare agencies are facing enormous trouble in raising funds. Most commercial activities are on hold, and the world economy is in an economic slowdown. Business houses are not in the position to support social causes.
Most social welfare agencies look up to the government to get financial support. The government must come forward to help such organizations that help the marginalized youth of the society.