In 2003, a “mediator” working as part of a government education program convinced a local voodoo priest in Koutagba, Benin, to permit one girl from every family to go to school. In her family, Nanavi was that girl. Three years later, 12-year old Nanavi experienced a devastating loss — the death of her father — that has left her family destitute. Although her mother managed to scrape together a few dollars for chalk and supplies with help from an uncle and the school, she may soon need Nanavi to work in the fields to ensure the family’s survival.

In 2003, Jefferson was a shy five-year old who enjoyed flying kites from the roof of his home in Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro’s biggest favela (slum). His mother was receiving a small state stipend to help ensure that her children would stay in school. In 2006, Jefferson is at the top of his class but worries about escalating gang and police violence in his neighborhood. As Jefferson is one of the few students in his second grade class who can read and write fluently, his mother is optimistic of his chances to escape the cycle of crime that pervades their neighborhood and eventually move away from the favela.

When WIDE ANGLE first met 11-year old Shugufa, she was living in a suburb of Kabul and attending school for the first time after spending years in a Pakistani refugee camp. In the spring of 2006, Afghanistan had the highest school enrollment in its history, yet strained to meet its students’ needs. In order to deal with the short supply of teachers and textbooks, Shugufa’s school has introduced a shift system, so she only attends class from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. However, with 74 percent of girls in Afghanistan dropping out before fifth grade, Shugufa — now in sixth grade — has beaten the odds.

Three years ago, Raluca was living in Bucharest, with both of her parents working long hours to give their daughter opportunities and luxuries they never had during the communist era. The seven-year old was commuting 45-minutes across town by herself each day to the finest public school. In 2006, Raluca continues to attend the same public school. Every afternoon she balances visits to the tutor and long hours of homework. Next June, Raluca must take a crucial exam that will determine whether she may continue at her exclusive public school or must transfer to one of the standard city schools.

WIDE ANGLE first met Ken and his mother as they experienced the traditional ceremonies of the opening day of school. For Ken, a middle-class child who had already learned to read and write in a state-sponsored nursery school — part of one of the world’s finest educational systems — the day marked the official start of his seemingly assured journey to independence and responsibility. Three years later, WIDE ANGLE returns to find nine-year old Ken flourishing, with a passion for sports and a perfect attendance record for the third grade.

In 2003, Neeraj, who lives in a tiny desert village in Rajasthan, India, with her extended family of 15, was determined to attend school. Extensive daytime chores, which included carrying water, caring for younger siblings, and herding cows, meant she could not study at the normal day school like her brothers. Nine-year old Neeraj convinced her parents to allow her to attend a special night school for girls who must work by day. WIDE ANGLE returned in 2006 to find that Neeraj was not at home. Like many other herding families, she was spending the dry season grazing livestock, miles from home and school. Night school is set up to accommodate these breaks — when Neeraj returns she will start where she left off. However, the interruptions in her studies mean that Neeraj has only progressed to the second grade.

When WIDE ANGLE first introduced ten-year old Joab, he was living in one of Africa’s largest urban slums — Kibera, located in the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya — and was finally starting first grade, following the 2002 abolition of school fees. In the intervening years, Joab suffered the unexpected illness and death of his mother. Joab, overcome with grief and shouldering the new responsibilities of caring for himself and his siblings, disappeared from school for several weeks but was persuaded by his principal to return. Now 13 and starting fourth grade, Joab excels in class. He ranked third of 92 students last semester and has been made class prefect.