What is Education?

According to John Dewey “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself”. Education may be defined as life oriented and need based formation which leads to an integral development and maturing of the various dimensions of one’s personality and contributes to the general betterment of society. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, says Nelson Mandela

Learning and Transformation

In order to understand the meaning of education and life, we need to show interest in learning. Learning process starts when we really want to achieve something in life. Education is the turning point from darkness to light. Education for a child begins at home. It is a lifelong process that ends with death. There is no age limit for learning. Education certainly determines the quality of an individual’s life. Education improves one’s knowledge, skills and develops the personality and attitude. The fullness of life is seen in the person when he has really understood the importance of education. It is observed that education transforms the lives of the poor across generations. Educatio is a ray of light in the darkness. It certainly is a hope for a good life.

Education is the key to change

According to the book “Grow Free and Live Free”: the author says “An educated man can cope with both personal and social problems far better than the uneducated”. Education however cannot be identified with literacy. In the true sense it is that basic formation which creates capable and enlightened individuals, who will give rise to a tolerant and enlightened society free from discrimination and dehumanizing evils.

According to Shai Reshef “When you educate one person you can change a life, when you educate many, you can change the world”. Our society is plagued by multiple ills and divided along seemingly irreconcilable lines. Incidents of drug addiction and alcoholism are on the increase, especially among the young. In such a situation, education seems to be the only hope for the nation. It fosters tolerance in social life and helps to root out addictive and dehumanizing habits from individuals.

Life Oriented Education

Today we need life-oriented education in our institutions. We need to create a system which is based on day to days life. Education must be aimed at the development of the individual and the betterment of the society. It these twin aims are to be realized, a life oriented and need based curriculum should be introduced into our institutions. Only an education that combines thought, enquiry and investigation with struggle and work can make a man complete, well integrated and capable of identifying himself with the society, which is lacking in the present system of education.

Society Orientated Education

In the words of Angela Davis “We have to talk about liberating minds as well as liberating the society”. Our educational system should be revamped so that students adopt it and have an enlightened approach towards various problems in the society. The social consciousness of the students will generate an atmosphere of brotherhood and fellowship that awaken them to the service of the nation. They will thus be brought to the forefront of the fight for justice for all women, lower caste, the deprived and discriminated.

Our present educational system, however, provides ample information to the students on the challenges faced by the society today. In fact, most of the students are aware of things such as rapid growth of rural population, low per capita income, illiteracy, social injustice and backwardness, corruption, indfficient administration etc. According to Herbert Spencer “The great aim of education is not knowledge but action”.

Value Orientated Education

Young people today are confused about their value system. They are facing value conflicts and moral dilemma at every turn not knowing how to handle them. If we look at the conditions around us and the dramatic socio cultural and political changes that are taking place, even in a highly traditional country like India, we can understand the reasons for their confusion and uncertainly. Values based education certainly enlightens not only the individuals but the whole society.

Conclusion

According to Suresh Pushparaj “Life is full of choices”. Some people choose to live by complaining. Other people opt for complementing. There may be a thousand little choices in a day. All of them count. Let us choose the best while learning so that we make a big difference in the society in which we are living. Always the choice is put before us to choose the right and the best in our educational system. The right educational system can bring about the right transformation needed today.