Local opinion: Education is the new poverty-fighting potato

It was while I was preparing a special potato dish that the thought came to me that potatoes were once considered a crucial food for the peasants or, in today’s terms, those living below the poverty level. But as I mixed in the potatoes it was difficult for me to imagine that a potato could be the sum substance for life for those trapped in an existence of poverty. I have never viewed the potato as a hero but have always taken it for granted, never thinking of it as anything more than just a plain old potato. However, in recognizing that once upon a time, it served as a life-giving necessity, that plain old potato suddenly changed character and became more meaningful. Of course, the potato isn’t as significant in combating poverty today, but it still remains a vibrant symbol of the desperation many of those in poverty face.

According to the World Bank, 700 million people, out of a world population of 8 billion, are living in poverty. In Arizona, the Census Bureau reports 12% out of a population of nearly 7.25 million (873,120) are impoverished. And these are not just statistics. These are real, living and suffering human beings.

Many factors cause a person or family to drop below the poverty line. The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) lists 11 reasons for poverty, one of which is the lack of or inadequate education, a factor that I have always believed to be a significant contributor to poverty. It stands to reason that without a solid education, one is limited in today’s highly competitive world.

In that regard, it is the young students who become the focal point — the ones who can break the chain of poverty. But it may not be easy. There are some restraints blocking the way. For one, lack of motivation and support at home play a big part in a student having little interest in improving him or herself. Then, aspects such as peer pressure to drop out of school will also curtail a student from reaching his or her potential. But beyond those and other reason, there is a shadowed contributor affecting the school’s ability to play a critical role in fighting poverty — lack of proper funding. Public schools cannot do a full, all-inclusive job of teaching and motivating young people without sufficient funds.

Here in Arizona, the factor of inadequate state funding is quite pronounced and very disappointing. Without adequate funds from the state, our public schools are limited in what they can do, and those limitations have a direct effect on the students, especially those from a poverty background. However, with proper funding, schools can raise teachers’ salaries and thereby be able to attract and hire more teachers. It is then that the schools can reduce classroom size, and the teachers can give more individual attention to the students, especially to those who are in need of strong encouragement and help. More enrichment programs can be incorporated into the curriculum, giving those students opportunities to experience new and energizing involvement. And increased counseling services can be made available with sufficient time allotted to each student in need.

Improving educational opportunities to marginalized young people can be a way we can help break the spiral that throttles the lifeblood out of so many. We need to get involved and let our representatives at the State House know how important it is to increase the funding for our public schools.

It may have been the potato that saved lives in years past, but today I firmly believe a strong educational system is the new potato providing a vital link to reducing or eradicating poverty for generations to come.