Dr. zainalabden aboad
College of Administrative Sciences / Department of Finance and Banking
Poverty remains one of the most pressing structural challenges facing societies in their pursuit of sustainable development. Amid growing economic and social disparities, quality education emerges as a powerful strategic tool capable of breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering social justice. Education is not only a fundamental human right but also a key driver of economic and social empowerment and a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable growth.
1. The Relationship Between Poverty and Education: A Reciprocal Cycle
Poverty and low educational attainment are intricately linked in a mutually reinforcing cycle. Poor families often struggle to access quality education due to direct costs or surrounding socio-economic conditions. In turn, limited access to education reduces opportunities for productive employment and stable income, perpetuating poverty across generations.
2. Quality Education as a Means of Empowering Individuals and Communities
Quality education equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the labor market and achieve economic independence. It also fosters essential life and social skills such as critical thinking, civic engagement, and gender equality. Thus, education not only opens economic opportunities but also strengthens the ability of individuals to claim their rights and actively participate in building more just and inclusive communities.
3. The Role of Education in Promoting Social Justice
Quality education helps narrow social gaps and ensures equal opportunities for all, especially marginalized and impoverished groups. Inclusive and equitable educational policies that consider social and cultural differences can redistribute resources and knowledge in ways that enhance broader social justice.
4. Challenges and Strategies for Transitioning from Poverty to Opportunity
Despite its potential, the role of education in breaking poverty requires overcoming several challenges, including weak educational infrastructure, disparities in quality, limited funding, and unequal access based on gender or geography.
To address these challenges, governments and institutions must adopt inclusive education policies that integrate social dimensions, provide incentives for disadvantaged groups, expand vocational and technical education, and align education with labor market needs.
Breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting social justice cannot be achieved without meaningful investment in quality education. Education serves as the cornerstone for building fairer and more sustainable societies, where every individual is given a real opportunity to change their destiny and contribute to national development. Accordingly, the alignment of Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 4 (Quality Education) reflects the imperative of collective action toward a future free of poverty, rich in justice and knowledge.