Task.
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.
Criteria For Success
You will be assessed on the following criteria:
• Excellent discussion of affordable and clean energy as an external determinant that influences the education systems of South Africa and two other developing countries.
• Excellent discussion on the differences and similarities that can be identified based on affordable and clean energy as an external determinant of the various education systems – South Africa and the two selected developing countries.
• Excellent discussion and evaluation of best practices through engaging in a literature review to document/report on, the influence of affordable and clean energy as an external determinant on the education systems of the selected.
• Excellently referencing the sources using Harvard referencing style.
1. Situation of affordable and clean energy in South Africa and two other developing countries:
South Africa: South Africa faces challenges in providing affordable and clean energy to its population, with a large percentage of the population still relying on traditional sources of fuel such as coal and wood for cooking and heating. This has negative effects on air quality and health, impacting educational outcomes through increased absenteeism and decreased concentration levels among students.
India: India is making strides in increasing access to affordable and clean energy through initiatives such as the National Solar Mission and the Ujala scheme. However, there are still pockets of the population without access to reliable electricity, which affects educational outcomes by limiting access to technology for learning and studying.
Nigeria: Nigeria struggles with providing reliable and affordable energy to its population, with frequent power outages affecting businesses and households. This lack of access to clean energy hinders educational development by limiting students' ability to study after dark and access online educational resources.
2. Differences and similarities in the impact of affordable and clean energy on education systems:
Differences:
- South Africa has made progress in transitioning to renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar power, while India and Nigeria still rely heavily on fossil fuels.
- India has implemented more government-led initiatives to increase access to clean energy compared to South Africa and Nigeria.
- Nigeria faces more challenges in providing reliable energy infrastructure compared to South Africa and India.
Similarities:
- All three countries face challenges in providing universal access to affordable and clean energy, which hinders educational outcomes.
- Lack of access to reliable energy sources impacts students' ability to study effectively and limits access to educational resources.
- Governments in all three countries need to prioritize investments in clean energy infrastructure to improve educational outcomes.
3. Best practices for each country based on affordable and clean energy as the tenth Sustainable Development Goal:
South Africa: Invest in renewable energy projects to increase access to clean energy for all citizens, especially in rural areas. Implement energy efficiency measures in schools to reduce costs and environmental impact.
India: Continue implementing government-led schemes to increase access to solar energy and promote energy efficiency. Invest in renewable energy research and development to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Nigeria: Improve energy infrastructure to provide reliable electricity to all citizens. Encourage investment in renewable energy projects to diversify the energy mix and increase access to clean energy. Implement energy efficiency measures in schools to reduce costs and environmental impact.
Overall, affordable and clean energy plays a crucial role in shaping the education systems of South Africa, India, and Nigeria. By prioritizing sustainable energy solutions, 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.