Written by Jeffrey S. Ram, Toronto, Canada, August 3, 2021
PART 1
1. EDUCATION PREPARES FOR LIFE BY IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS ESSENTIAL TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE
2. EDUCATION IS THE LADDER FOR UPWARD MOBILITY AND IS A GREAT EQUALIZER
3. EDUCATION EQUIPS THE STUDENTS FOR THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE WORLD AND TEACHES THE USE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
4. EDUCATION OPENS OUR MINDS, TEACHES US TO ASK QUESTIONS AND THINK CRITICALLY
5. EDUCATION TEACHES US TO BE LIFE-LONG LEARNERS
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PART 2
6. EDUCATION PASSES KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND VALUES FROM ONE GENERATION TO ANOTHER AND ALSO ENABLES US TO MOVE FORWARD.
Will Durant said that education is the transmission of civilization. "Education," added G.K. Chesterton, "is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another." "The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next," confirmed Abraham Lincoln
By building on old knowledge, skills, and accomplishments, education enables humans to advance in every sphere of life. By inspiring creative thinking and innovation, education generates ways and means to satisfy new wants. John Dewey advised, "Education is the fundamental method of social progress and reform."
7. EDUCATION TEACHES SOCIAL AND MORAL VALUES.
Education transmits society's core social and moral values. Children learn that there are rules in schools and the community. They realize that disobeying the rules have consequences.
Education teaches punctuality, discipline, and the responsibility of finishing assignments on time. Education produces team spirit from team learning and team sports in schools. Students also learn to get along with others and collaborate.
Studying with students of diverse backgrounds, students learn a sense of inclusion and acceptance of unity in diversity. School-sponsored and supported charities and community services develop the qualities of compassion, kindness, and caring. Education teaches not only the art of learning but also the art of living.
8. EDUCATION TEACHES COMMUNICATION SKILLS.
Communication skills are as vital as literacy. They involve giving and receiving different kinds of information in a clear, effective, and efficient manner.
Intelligible communication is part of the so-called "soft skills." Group work and oral presentation assignments develop and enhance communication proficiency. Schools teach that the non-verbal message conveyed through eye contact, facial expressions, and hand movements is as important as verbal. Peter F. Drucker reminded, "The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said."
In everyday life, communication skills help us enjoy cordial relationships with colleagues, friends, and family members.
9. EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST PATHS TO WOMEN'S EQUALITY AND ADVANCEMENT.
While girls' education is standard in some nations, many other deprive girls of learning. Oppressive and insecure males fear that education will give subjugated women the key to open the prison door and escape.
Female education is, therefore, considered a strategic priority for development. According to the World Bank, "Better educated women tend to be more informed about nutrition and healthcare, have fewer children, marry at a later age, and their children are usually healthier, should they choose to become mothers. They are more likely to participate in the formal labor market and earn higher incomes. All these factors combined can help lift households, communities, and countries out of poverty."
10. THE EDUCATION LEVEL OF A NATION'S CITIZENS DETERMINES THE LEVEL OF THEIR GOOD GOVERNANCE, PROSPERITY, AND HAPPINESS. EDUCATION MAKES A BETTER WORLD FOR ALL.
Only good leaders provide good governance. Education produces good citizens and leaders who are aware of their duties and responsibilities. Abraham Lincoln said, "Education does not mean teaching people what they do not know. It means teaching them to behave as they do not behave." "No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated," emphasized Nelson Mandela.
The UN's World Happiness Report has consistently rated Nordic countries in the top 5 for many years. These Nordic countries (Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) offer higher education free of charge.
Malala Yousafzai concluded, "One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world."
PARENTS, CITIZENS, AND GOVERNMENTS SHOULD ENSURE GOOD QUALITY EDUCATION. THE VULNERABLE SHOULD USE EDUCATION TO EMPOWER THEMSELVES.
Parents should give time and attention to their children's education. Citizens and businesses should fulfill their obligation to pay their fair share of taxes to provide for government services so that education can be made available for all. Politicians should govern like statesmen and think of the next generation, not of the next election. By utilizing the power of education, the vulnerable sections of society should secure a bright future and a better quality of life.
Education is the mother of good governance, prosperity, happiness, and a better world.
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[Toronto, Canada-based, ReformAdvocate.com aims to encourage religious and racial minorities, immigrants, women, and other weaker groups to become more powerful and prosperous. The subscription is free. Please subscribe.] (if you have any suggestions to make the blog more effective and useful, please write to editor Jeffrey S. Ram at ram@reformadvocate.com)
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