Barriers to education

• Barriers to Education

  • Physical
  • Technological
  • Systemic
  • Financial
  • Attitudinal
• Groups affected by barriers to education

  • Students
  • Teachers
  • Institutions
• Physical disability


  • Students with disabilities continue to encounter physical barriers to educational services
  • Lack of ramps and/or elevators in a multi-level school buildings
  • Heavy doors
  • Inaccessible washroom
  • Transportation
  • Housing facilities and communication
• Negative Attitudes and Stereotypes


  • Students with disabilities continue to face negative attitudes and stereotypes in the education system
  • Lack of knowledge about and sensitivity to disability issues on the part of some educators, staff and students
• Poverty


  • Children who come from a poor family or community set up and experience little to or no support typically struggles with confidence
  • Reduces their desire to learn
• Students' capabilities, personal beliefs and values


  • Genetic and culture affects the educative process
  • Students' genetic endowment and cultural background determine the extent of comprehension and retention
  • May challenge to teachers, the school administrators and the standard education
• Inadequate funding


  • Prime reason for delayed and diminished special education services at the elementary and secondary levels
  • Accommodation decisions are made based on budgetary considerations rather than on an assessment of the actual needs of students with disabilities
  • Funding structure is highly complex at the post-secondary level, with some programs containing eligibility requirements and restrictions that raise human rights issues
  • Lack of libraries and laboratory facilities for student learning
• Philosophy, vision mission of schools


  • Schools have their own values, beliefs and practices regarding teaching and learning
  • Schools may or may not adhere to the standard of education set by the state and accrediting body
• Legal framework around education


  • Lack of birth certificate can prevent admission of the child from school or block eligibility to take examination
• Issues of safety and security inside and outside the school


  • Physical violence in school like bullying and corporal punishment affects boys and girls
  • Girls are more likely to be a victim of sexual violence such as rape
• Accountability movement


  • May limit the ability of school to meet societal standards due to external pressure and intense expectation
• Perceived lack of support


  • Insufficient financial support hinders health education program
• Teachers' qualification and values


  • Education is also constrained by the ability of the teacher to teach in terms of her personality traits and values, professional behavior and her outlook in life
• Inadequate professional preparation


  • Educators are expected to teach health with any college coursework in the discipline
  • Quality of teaching suffers despite no shortage professionally prepared health educators
• Lack of certification


  • Many states mandate health instruction in schools many do not require instructors to be certified educators
• Knowledge skills and values of the teacher


  • Lack of these knowledge, skills and values the teachers could lead to intellectual numbness and poor academic performance among students