Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
London Fog Men's Auburn Golf Jacket Buy Now
Google Pixel 6a Android Phone Buy Now
Dokotoo Pants for Women Buy Now
Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body Buy Now
Comfort Flex Waist Jean Buy Now
Smart Watch for Men (Answer/Make Calls) Buy Now
CKKM Men's Waterproof Hiking Shoes Buy Now
Women's Boho Palazzo Pants Buy Now
Duduma Polarized Sports Sunglasses Buy Now
Viking Revolution Sea Salt Hair Spray Buy Now
Phoenix Bracelet Buy Now
J.VER Men's Dress Shirts Buy Now
Silk Satin Floral Shirt Buy Now
Rimless Rectangle Sunglasses for Men Buy Now
Ginasy Faux Leather Leggings for Women Buy Now
Men's Slim Fit Dress Pant Buy Now
Mens Fashion Henley Shirt Classic Buy Now
The Ultimate Fitness Journal Buy Now
Sunzel Flare Leggings Buy Now
Mommy & Me Pajamas Buy Now
London Fog Men's Auburn Golf Jacket Buy Now
Google Pixel 6a Android Phone Buy Now
Dokotoo Pants for Women Buy Now
Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body Buy Now
Comfort Flex Waist Jean Buy Now
Smart Watch for Men (Answer/Make Calls) Buy Now
CKKM Men's Waterproof Hiking Shoes Buy Now
Women's Boho Palazzo Pants Buy Now
Duduma Polarized Sports Sunglasses Buy Now
Viking Revolution Sea Salt Hair Spray Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Education can break the cycle of poverty. But I worry sometimes the debt of it could break me

Education can break the cycle of poverty. But I worry sometimes the debt of it could break me

CBC
Saturday, September 2, 2023 8:38 AM GMT

This is a First Person column by Shaquille Morgan, who lives in Toronto. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, see the FAQ.

"Education is the way out of poverty," was one of my grandma's favourite lectures. During weekends at her home, she'd often tell stories of her life and financial struggles, but also how her nursing education helped her move from Jamaica to Canada. She'd pace around the kitchen, the aroma from her stew peas and beef permeating the air, while explaining how her education made her financially independent and eventually allowed her to move her children to Toronto as well.

Today, I reflect on the seeds she planted and recognize that they took root. I look at my bachelor's and master's degrees and appreciate her advice. 

But despite following her example, there were times when I struggled to reconcile how furthering my education would pull me or my family out of poverty if it meant going deeper into debt. One experience in particular has stuck with me.

I was in Grade 7. Every student was required to pay for the school agenda, and the first class to bring in all of their agenda money would be rewarded with a pizza party. The mere thought of this excited my class and ignited our competitive spirits.

The agendas at the time were only $10 — an amount I'm blessed to look at today as insignificant. But it wasn't then.

When I went home I told my mom about the agenda. I thought sharing the information about the pizza party would convey the urgency. With a distressed look, my mom told me to remind her in a couple of days.

I knew it wasn't going to be easy for her to put together the $10, because my mom was going to school while trying to maintain our household with what little money she had. To make ends meet, she worked part-time and took on debt. I admired that.

At school, students began turning in their agenda money. Those who hadn't got reminders about the pizza party prize. But as the days turned to weeks, I realized I was the only one getting these reminders. I felt anxious and embarrassed, but I hid it the best I could.

More than three weeks later, my mom told me she had my agenda money and I was excited. But when she handed over a Ziploc bag filled with quarters, dimes, nickels and some pennies, the reality of our circumstances hit me like never before. The next day, I walked to my classroom, change clinking in my pocket and thoughts of winning the pizza party on my mind. But that day, the announcements were different. I sat there with my head on the desk, only loosely paying attention. "YEAH!" I heard in the distance along with thunderous cheers from another class down the hallway. "What happened?" I asked my friend. "They won the pizza party," he said.

The guilt and embarrassment left a mark on me. And while I could never blame my mom, I vowed at that moment that I would never be in a situation where I would have to nickel and dime again.

Today, I find myself at a similar crossroad as my mom. I'll find myself blankly staring at the wall contemplating returning to school to expand my career opportunities in writing, research and teaching. But it's that experience from Grade 7 that stops me in my tracks. My mom eventually sacrificed her education to work full-time and pay the bills. I, too, dreaded the decision to pursue my master's degree because it forced me to take on substantial debt. And still, I pursued it because of my grandma's lessons, keeping a part-time job, finessing and penny-pinching to get by.

It was hard then, but I know it would be harder now and require me to sacrifice my current job and financial safety net. I would once again be a struggling student chasing a higher purpose — something I don't even know will pay off particularly in this economy. 

For now I've decided against returning to school. I just hope I won't regret it.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Montreal should stop dismantling homeless encampments, public consultation office says

A new report says Montreal should stop dismantling homeless encampments until the city develops a policy to better care for the unhoused.

Suspect in Saskatoon stolen truck pursuit facing 21 charges

A 32-year-old Saskatoon man is facing more than 20 charges after police pursued a stolen truck across the city on Wednesday morning.

SHA announces reduced hours at Regina Urgent Care Centre for 2nd time in a week

Further reductions to operating hours are set to go into effect at the Regina Urgent Care Centre (UCC) beginning Friday. 

3 Ontarians to have big P.E.I. drug seizure case heard in Supreme Court

The three people from Ontario accused in one of the largest drug busts in Prince Edward Island history will have their case heard in the P.E.I. Supreme Court after one of the accused people made that choice for the group without the other two being on board.

A volatile supply: how organizations are responding to constantly evolving street drugs

Danielle Lake has been sober for about six months. After spending five years addicted to opioids and a year on the streets, she made the decision to stop.

Serval owner says regulation and permitting for exotic cats is needed, not a full-on ban

A serval owner and Bengal and Savannah cat breeder in B.C.'s Central Okanagan is raising concerns about the province's proposal to ban the breeding, sale and future ownership of all exotic and non-domestic cats, including servals, ocelots and European wildcats. 

Alberta rules on school library books to start Oct. 1

Alberta's education minister says school libraries must pull explicit, sexual content from their shelves starting Oct. 1.

Teen charged with 1st-degree murder in stabbing death of 14-year-old: Toronto police

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Abdoul Aziz Sarr, 14, Toronto police say.

Teen fatally stabbed last weekend remembered as kind, hardworking person

Staff at a community health centre in Scarborough say a 14-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in the city's east end last weekend was a kind, hardworking teenager who had a bright future ahead of him. 

President of Stratford Soccer Club warns someone is sending scam emails in her name

The president of the Stratford Soccer Club in central P.E.I. is warning parents of players that scammers are emailing requests for them to buy gift cards.

Garden Hill issues full-scale evacuation after wildfire enters northern Manitoba community

A wildfire has breached the northern Manitoba community of Garden Hill Anisininew Nation, prompting a "full-scale" evacuation order.

Ontario's needle distribution ban at HART Hubs puts people at risk, critics say

More than 600 individuals and organizations from across Ontario have signed a letter calling on the province to allow the distribution of syringes at Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, saying prohibiting them will put more people at risk of HIV and hepatitis C transmission.

Motion to dismiss Kamloops' mayor's defamation suit against councillor adjourned until September

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has adjourned a hearing on a defamation suit filed by Kamloops, B.C., Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, against one of the city's councillors until September.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
City of Yellowknife lifts fire ban, thanks to recent rain

The City of Yellowknife has lifted its local fire ban.

People on edge after 6 suspicious fires at abandoned buildings in New Annan, P.E.I.

Police in Prince Edward Island say they're stepping up patrols in the eastern part of Prince County after a string of six fires in the span of two weeks. 

Indigenous Services Canada warns 'difficult decisions' in budget cuts will impact programs

Indigenous Services Canada's top officials have warned staff that meeting Prime Minister Mark Carney's budget cut targets won't be easy and will impact jobs and operations.

Canadian travel to the U.S. plummets — but Americans are staying home, too

It's not just Canadians who are holding back on cross-border travel amid a U.S. trade war that has soured bilateral relations.

Presumed drowning death reignites calls for river safety in Kamloops, B.C., but city says it's not that simple

The presumed death of an international student who was swept away in the Thompson River last weekend was "entirely foreseeable [and] entirely preventable," according to a Kamloops, B.C., resident who saved two students from a similar fate last year.

Motorcyclist charged after 'flying' across Toronto area at nearly 300 km/h: police

A motorcyclist has been charged with a slew of offences after "flying" across two major highways at nearly 300 km/h to dodge police, York Regional Police say. 

Some craft vendors say resold and AI art popping up at markets is 'disingenuous'

It's festival season. Artists, crafters and makers are setting up tables to get their homemade products in the hands of local shoppers. 

Manitoba premier shoots back at U.S. lawmakers over smoke complaint

Manitoba's premier shot back on Thursday at six U.S. lawmakers who recently complained about Canadian wildfire smoke travelling south, which they said was making it difficult for some Americans to enjoy their summer.

Fitzgerald warns of rabies in Labrador after dog tests positive from fox encounter in Hopedale

Newfoundland and Labrador's top doctor is warning residents in the Big Land about rabies after a dog in Hopedale tested positive after coming into contact with a fox.

Premier blasts Halifax council, cites 'serious disconnect' from citizens

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has issued a scathing appraisal of Halifax regional council, saying there's a "serious disconnect" between the decisions being made and the desires of citizens, and indicating the province is examining whether to give the mayor more power.

Vehicle thefts in N.B. pave way for double-digit insurance rate hikes

Nicole Wilby's Jeep Grand Cherokee hasn't moved for the past few weeks. The rims and body of the vehicle are dented, scratched and covered in mud.  

Peel police say repeat drunk driver out on bail after Brampton crash should be 'behind bars right now'

A man arrested for impaired driving after a four-vehicle collision in Brampton, Ont., over the weekend is a repeat offender who has since been released on bail, Peel police say.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us