CHAPTER 5

GLOBAL ISSUES
THAT CONCERN
SCHOOLS AND
SOCIETY
Introduction

The world has become a global village. We have become a citizen of a global
community. What takes place in one part of the globe no matter how far affects us. It is a “small
world after all” so goes the song. In this Chapter, we will discuss global issues that affect schools
and us. It is hoped that you are able to propose solutions to social problems which have
become current global issues.

Abstraction - Let's Conceptualize

The Top Ten Global Issues and How They Can be Addressed

Climate Change

The global temperatures are rising, and are estimated to increase from 2.6 degrees
Celsius to 4.8 degrees Celsius by 2100. This would cause more severe weather, crises
with food and resources and the spread of diseases. The reduction of greenhouse
emissions and the spreading of education on the importance of going green can help
make a big difference. Lobbying governments and discussing policies to reduce carbon
emissions and encouraging reforestation is an effective way of making progress with
climate change.

Pollution

Pollution includes ocean litter, pesticides and fertilizers, air, light and noise pollution.
Clean water is essential for humans and animals, but more than one billion people don't
have access to clean water due to pollution from toxic substances, sewage or industrial
waste.

Violence

Violence can be found in the social, cultural and economic aspects of the world.
Whether it is conflict that has broken out in a city, hatred targeted at a certain group of
people or sexual harassment occurring on the street, violence is a preventable problem
that has been an issue for longer than necessary. Here are various forms of violence:

Table 2. Various Forms of Violence

Various Forms of Violence

Physical Violence Sexual Violence Emotional Violence
Physical violence occurs when Sexual violence occurs when a Emotional Violence occurs
someone uses a part of their person is forced to unwillingly when someone says or does
body or an object to control a take part in sexual activity something make a person feel
person's actions stupid or worthless

Physical Violence Sexual Violence Emotional Violence

Physical violence occurs when Sexual violence occurs when a Emotional Violence occurs
someone uses a part of their person is forced to unwillingly when someone says or does
body or an object to control a take part in sexual activity something make a person feel
person’s actions stupid or worthless
Psychological Violence Spiritual Violence Cultural Violence
Psychological violence occurs Spiritual (or religious) violence Cultural violence occurs when
when someone uses threats occurs when someone uses an an individual is harmed as a
and causes fear in an individual’s spiritual beliefs to result of practices that are
individual to gain control manipulate, dominate or part of her or his culture,
control that person religion or tradition

Security and Well Being

The U.N is a perfect example of what should be done to prevent the lack of security and
well-being a serious global issue. Through its efforts urth regional organizations and
representatives that are skilled in security, the UN is working toward increasing the well-being
of people throughout the world.

Lack of Education

More than 72 million children throughout the globe that are of the age to be in primary
education are not enrolled in school. This can be attributed to inequality and marginalization as
well as poverty. Fortunately, there are many organizations that work directly with the issue of
education in providing the proper tools and resources to aid schools.

The Philippines has consistently made a significant stride in its functional literacy rate.
Functional literacy, as defined by the National Statistics Authority is the level of literacy which
includes not only reading and writing but also numeracy skills that would help people cope with
the daily demands of life. Based on the 2013 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media
Survey (FLEMSS), the country registered a 90.3% rate, which means that nine out of every 10
Filipinos aged 10-64 were functionally literate.

Unemployment

Without the necessary education and skills for employment, many people, particularly
15. to 24- years old, struggle to find This leads to a lack of necessary resources, such as enough
food, jobs and create a proper living for themselves and their families. clothing, transportation
and proper living conditions.

The unemployment rate in the Philippines inched lower to 5.2 percent in the March
quarter of 2019 from 5.3 percent a year ago. Unemployment rate in Philippines averaged 8.34
percent from 1994 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 13.90 percent in first quarter of 2000
and a record low of 4.70 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Government Corruption

Means of corruption include graft, bribery, embezzlement, backdoor deals, nepotism,

and patronage. Corruption is a major cause of poverty considering how it affects the poor the
most, eroding political and economic development, democracy and more. Corruption can be
detrimental to the safety and well-being of citizens living within the corrupted vicinity, and can
an increase in violence and physical threats without as much regulation in the government.

The Philippines ranked 94th out of 177 countries in Transparency International's 2013
corruption index.

Malnourishment and Hunger

Currently there are 795 million people who do not have enough to eat. Long-term
success to ending world hunger starts with ending poverty. By fighting poverty through proper
training for employment, education and the teaching of cooking and gardening skills, people
who are suffering will be more likely to get jobs, earn enough money to buy food and even
learn how to make their own food to save money.

Malnutrition, in all its forms, includes under nutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight),
inadequate vitamins or minerals, overweight, obesity, and resulting diet-related non-
communicable diseases.

The planet creates more than enough food to meet everyone's needs. But there are still
millions of hungry people in the world.

Substance Abuse - Substance abuse is "the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive

substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs” (World Health Organization) The United Nations
reports that, by the beginning of the 21st century, an estimated 185 million people over the age
of 15 were consuming drugs globally. The drugs most commonly used are marijuana, cocaine,
alcohol, amphetamine stimulants, opiates and volatile solvents. Different classes of people,
both poor and rich, partake in substance abuse, and it is a persistent issue throughout the
world but the developing world, marginalized groups and communities are the vulnerable to
this reality. The Philippines faces this huge problem on substance abuse.

Terrorism

Terrorism is an issue throughout the world that causes fear and insecurity, violence and
death. Across the globe, terrorists attack innocent people, often without warning. This makes
civilians feel defenseless in their everyday lives. Making national security a higher priority is key
in combating terrorism, as well as promoting justice in wrongdoings to illustrate the
enforcement of the law and the serious punishments for terror crimes.

The 17 SDGs

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said: “The seventeen Sustainable Development

Goals are our shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world's leaders and
the people. They are a to-do list for people and planet and a blueprint for success."

After Millennium Development Goals of 2015, here comes another to-do list for the
sake of the entire humanity. Refer to the 17.Sustainable Development Goals, 2015-2030 in the
first part of this Chapter.

Global Issues, SDGs 2015-2030 and Education

In September 2015, the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development that includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building on the principle
of "leaving no one behind", the new Agenda emphasizes a holistic approach to achieving
sustainable development. The realization of the 17 SDGs means solving the top global issues
cited by two sources.

These global issues and SDGs 2015-2030 must be intentionally taught in schools because
they are made part of the curriculum.