“BUT HOW CAN I ACHIEVE MY DREAM IN THIS VILLAGE?” BLEAK EDUCATIONAL HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS OF CHILDREN IN AGORTIKOPE VILLAGE

Abstract

This was a study conducted to identify the challenges that children in rural areas encounter in education. Most of these challenges affect the educational aspirations and dreams of these children. These issues were explored in group and in-depth interviews with the children, parents and teachers at Agortikope village. Some of the major issues discovered centered on financial difficulties, inadequate learning and teaching materials, poor infrastructure, teacher absenteeism, amongst others. The Human Capital theory which stresses the significance of education and training as the key to development and participation in the new global economy guided the study. The participants for the study were 17. About 12 pupils from classes 4 to 6 and 2 teachers, 2 parents of the participants and the headmaster of the school. The studies revealed one major thing; that these children have dreams, goals and aspirations but are also uncertain of achieving them because of all the challenges that they face.