The importance of education 2026

• Engels
• Secundair onderwijs
• Algemeen secundair onderwijs
• Leerjaar 6

The importance of education

1. Pre-reading

A. Discuss these questions with a partner. Talk for 5 minutes.

1. How many hours do you spend at school each week? Do you think it is too much, too little, or just right? Why?

2. If you could skip one subject for a whole year, which one would it be – and why?

3. Do you think missing a lot of school days has long-term consequences? Why or why not?

4. In Belgium, students are required to attend school until age 18. Do you think this is a good rule? Should it be younger, older, or stay the same?

5. What are some reasons students might not come to school? Which ones do you think are most serious?

6. Do you believe education influences how long people live? Why or why not?

B. Match the words with their definitions.

absence

earnings

attendance

empowered

magnitude

rates

compelling

inequalities

regardless of

decline

impetus

investment

robust

deprived

longevity

systematic

• following a method or plan
  
• living for a long time
  
• being present at a particular place or event
  
• reduction
  
• not being where you are expected to be
  
• the number of times something happens over a certain period
  
• amount of money someone receives in exchange for their work
  
• strong, solid

• an argument or statement so strong that makes you believe in it
• putting resources, such as money or time, into something that can lead to benefits
• unfair situations and differences in opportunities and treatment between individuals
  
• the size, scale or extent of something
  
• despite
  
• lacking essential resources necessary for a satisfactory standard of living
  
• confident and in control of your own life and decisions
  
• stimulation or encouragement
  

absence → not being where you are expected to be

earnings → amount of money someone receives in exchange for their work

attendance → being present at a particular place or event

empowered → confident and in control of your own life and decisions

magnitude → the size, scale or extent of something

rates → the number of times something happens over a certain period

compelling → an argument or statement so strong that makes you believe in it

inequalities → unfair situations and  differences in opportunities and treatment between individuals

regardless of → despite

 decline → reduction

impetus → stimulation or encouragement

investment → putting resources, such as money or time, into something that can lead to benefits

robust → strong, solid

deprived → lacking essential resources necessary for a satisfactory standard of living

longevity → living for a long time

systematic → following a method or plan

C. Use some of the key words above to complete these sentences. You may need to change the form of the word.

1. The project needs to be completed, _________________________ how much it costs.

2. The unemployment _________________________ has been increasing steadily over recent months.

3. Her _________________________ have increased significantly due to her hard work and dedication.

4. _________________________ need to be diversified to minimise risks and maximise potential gains.

5. Their assessment of the situation is _________________________ , providing a comprehensive analysis.

6. Please remember that student _________________________ to lessons will be tracked.

7. Different types of _________________________ are evident throughout society, such as limited access to education.

8. Do you know the reason for his _________________________ from work today? Is he sick?

9. The reward money should be sufficient _________________________  for someone to come forward with information about the robbery.

10. They presented _________________________ evidence that exercise can also improve our mental health.

11. There’s been a sharp _________________________ in international students coming in September.

1. The project needs to be completed, regardless of how much it costs.
   
2. The unemployment rate has been increasing steadily over recent months.
   
3. Her earnings have increased significantly due to her hard work and dedication.
   
4. Investments need to be diversified to minimise risks and maximise potential gains.
   
5. Their assessment of the situation is systematic, providing a comprehensive analysis.
   
6. Please remember that student attendance to lessons will be tracked.
   
7. Different types of inequalities are evident throughout society, such as limited access to education.
   
8. Do you know the reason for his absence from work today? Is he sick?
   
9. The reward money should be sufficient impetus for someone to come forward with information about the robbery.
   
10. They presented compelling evidence that exercise can also improve our mental health.
    
11. There’s been a sharp decline in international students coming in September.

3. Reading comprehension

D. Are these sentences true (T) or false (F) according to the article? Correct the false sentences. Underline the corresponding evidence in the text.

Work per team.

The study focused on both developed and developing countries in different regions.

1. true
2. false

The consequences of a lack of formal education are comparable to leading an unhealthy life.

1. true
2. false

This is the first study to acknowledge the relationship between education and life expectancy.

1. true
2. false

FALSE 

It was acknowledged before. This is the first study to calculate the years of education and its connections to reducing mortality.

Davies stated other factors are at play and may alter results.

1. true
2. false

Davies asserts that school absences are directly linked with unemployment levels.

1. true
2. false

Researchers found that investment in education will not impact inequalities in the short term.

1. true
2. false

FALSE

There is evidence showing investment in education can reduce inequalities. The article, however,  does not say anything about the short term specifically.

The study concluded that the impact of education varies considerably depending on region and other individual factors.

1. true
2. false

FALSE

Improvements in longevity are similar in different countries and despite individual differences such as sex, social class and

demography.

Finch believes the greatest contribution of this study is measuring the impact of education.

1. true
2. false

According to Finch, education impacts people’s lives in both tangible and intangible ways.

1. true
2. false

Finch is confident the impact of education on longevity will not change over time.

1. true
2. false

FALSE

Finch says he is unsure about the future and whether people will continue to live longer because of education.

4. Key language

E. Complete these sentences with the correct form of the words in brackets.

1. Not attending school is as as smoking or heavy drinking. (DEAD)

2. In ______________________ countries, advancements in technology and infrastructure have significantly improved living standards. (INDUSTRY)

3. Completing primary, secondary and tertiary education is the equivalent of a lifetime of eating a healthy diet, the risk of death by 34%. (LOW)

4. This is also likely to be worse for more students. (ADVANTAGE)

5. ‘Quite , the links between education and mortality are the least of our worries.’ (HONEST)

6. Education is a crucial ________________________ in the future, promoting both individual well-being and societal progress. (INVEST)

7. Regular ____________________ at school is essential for academic success and long-term personal development. (ATTEND)

8. The researchers conducted a ____________________ review to ensure that all relevant studies were thoroughly analyzed. (SYSTEM)

9. Education has the power to _____________________ individuals by providing them with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and improve their lives. (POWER)

10. There has been a noticeable _______________________ in school attendance rates over the past few years, raising concerns about the long-term effects on student development. (DECLINE)

11. Researchers conducted a study to ___________________ the impact of education on life expectancy, revealing significant health benefits. (QUANTITY)

12. Can people access ______________________ housing? (AFFORD)

1. deadly

2. industrialised

3. lowering

4. disadvantaged

5. honestly

6. investment

7. attendance

8. systematic

9. empower

10. decline

11. quantify

12. affordable

5. Follow-up

Orientation: You are going to make a presentation about the importance of schooling and school attendance.

Preparation: Form pairs.

- Summarize the article: what is the gist? What were the findings?

- Do some online research and gather information about the situation in Belgium, Antwerp, and more specifically – our school, De Resonant.

5. Follow-up

Action: Present your ideas (using some kind of presentation tool, such as Powerpoint or Prezi):

1/ Why is school attendance and schooling in general so important?

2/ What is the situation on school drop-outs and  unexcused absences in Flanders, Antwerp, compared to other major cities and small towns?

3/ What can be done to improve attendance and for people to spend more years in school or university? What could our school do, for example? Can you give some useful and concrete tips?

Am I allowed to use AI for this task?

Go to Onderwijs Vlaanderen and do your research on problematic absences and early school leaving (drop outs).

link