Mary's Choice

Kids need a summer break to help them dive back into learning with energy and inquisitiveness. But do we take education for granted in Canada? According to the World Bank, prioritizing education is one of the most effective policy choices to move a poor nation from poverty toward prosperity; especially for girls who benefit from education because the longer they stay in school the less likely they are to marry as adolescents, experience unwanted early pregnancy, or suffer violent exploitation. Better educated women tend to be more informed about nutrition and healthcare, have fewer children, marry at a later age, and if they have children, they're usually healthier. They also have the potential to earn more money; just one more year of school can increase a girl's earnings, when she is an adult, by up to 20%. According to Jesus, Mary made a better choice than Martha: she chose education. Jesus responded to her choice by implying that education is a gift that endures.