By Andrew Darah (JP)
Education is an essential process in human development. It is different from schooling. Schooling is just one of the ways in which education is provided, whereas education deals with the total process of human learning by which knowledge is imparted, faculties are trained and different skills are developed.
Education is also defined as the act or process of educating or applying discipline on the mind or a process of character training. It is a dynamic instrument of change. Education is expected to affect or condition the social behaviour of the person being educated. Education is a life-long process which is always used to imply a positive state of mind.
According to Bamisaiye (1989), Education is “a cumulative process of development of intellectual abilities, Skills and attitudes, all of which form our various outlooks and dispositions to action in life generally” (p. 9) Education is the pristine essence of learning which makes us permanently able and disposed to benefit ourselves and other members of the society in the use we make of such learning.
Schooling may lead to negative behaviour, knowledge can be negatively used, learning too can also be negative, but education must be positive. The type of school attended do influence one’s behaviour.
One can succeed in carrying out a negative, anti-social behaviour like “pen-robbery”, armed robbery, examination malpractices, raping, or activities of secret cult members in higher institutions which are acquired through negative learning, but for one’s behaviour to have educational worth, it must be positive. The various stages of learning which one goes through in school do not in themselves constitute education. However, each of the stages plays significant roles in making one educated.
Education, broadly speaking consists of all the influence involved in shaping the development of an individual. The whole life of an individual is education and it ceases when one die. Education can be given at home, in school, church or mosque, community village or town.
Only the literacy aspect of education is best given at school. There are many types of education, viz:- Literacy education, Mental education, Social or Moral education. Mental education is the development of a child mentally while in literacy education, the child must be able to develop a sound life, mind and be God-fearing in all aspects of life. The educated person must adjust himself to any environment.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION
Education is not how well you can read and write but whether you can communicate with and understand the world around you.
A good education not only teaches you skills but also helps you broaden your horizons, gain better perspective, and teaches you to think for yourself. People today are quite aware and comfortable speaking about social injustices and other pressing issues.
This can be attributed to the increased access to education around the world, which in turn has made society more accepting and open-minded. Therefore, education is an element of human evolution. The importance of education is also pronounced in areas of creativity and innovation. Education encourages thinking outside the box and experimenting with new ideas.
Education helps in realizing your true potential: A good education helps you recognize yourself and your strengths. As you learn about the world and yourself, you come across things that interest you. You find things you are good at and figure out how you can contribute and help the world grow.
Education gives you opportunities to explore yourself, and your surroundings and empowers you to understand the ways of the world. It gives you the freedom to live a life of your choice.
Sharpening critical skills:
Education helps you develop critical skills like decision-making, mental agility, problem-solving, and logical thinking. People face problems in their professional as well as personal lives. In such situations, their ability to make rational and informed decisions comes from how educated and self-aware they are. Education also breeds creativity and innovation. When you take time to understand how the world works presently, only then can you come up with solutions and alternatives for existing problems.
More opportunities:
Investing in getting a good education will increase your confidence and help you achieve more. Education opens up new avenues. When you invest in educating yourself about a particular subject, you broaden your perspective in that area.
As a result, you get opportunities to test and enhance your skillset. When you attend college or become a part of an organization, you get to meet the right people. You become a part of a community and also discover new things about yourself.
Moreover, as you educate yourself, you are learning something new every day without even realizing it. Your accolades in college and otherwise are indicative of your competence and can open doors for you.
Financial stability:
Another benefit of having a strong educational background is financial stability. Students who graduate from esteemed colleges have a higher chance of landing well-paying jobs. The more knowledge you gain, the more skilled you become, and hence more opportunities open for you.
If you are good at something and know your way around it, rest assured you will be compensated well.
Supporting a developed society:
Education is imperative when it comes to building a modern society. When people learn about things like culture, history, and science, they can view problems from a much-informed perspective. Education teaches values and helps in the development of society as a whole. It gives people a chance to mold themselves into more responsible members of society.
Educated individuals are also more likely to get well-paying jobs and engage in effective trade and commerce practices. These, in turn, contribute to driving more capital to the economy. Hence, education drives growth in countries and supports a developing society. Giving back to the community and helping people
Education brings people together: You need people to show you new possibilities. When people can afford a stable life for themselves, they are more likely to take the initiative to solve local problems. Education enables people to be self-dependent. It also teaches people the need for a stable and secure community. As a result, people join hands to help the less fortunate and solve the community’s most pressing issues.
The importance of education is at the forefront when it comes to social issues. No matter if it is the education of maintaining clean neighborhoods, practicing good sanitation, or knowing your rights. People can lift other people only by exposing them to new possibilities by educating them.
Blurring geographical boundaries:
The importance of education is especially pronounced when we want to communicate with people from different cultures across the world. When we have a wide knowledge base, it is easy for us to find common ground with someone from a different place. Digital mediums of learning and spreading information have played an instrumental role in bridging this gap.
They have allowed more people to connect, interact and learn. This new way of teaching and learning has blurred geographical boundaries and contributed to sharing insights and opinions, broadening the horizons of all involved.
Education helps us create equal opportunities:
People from different genders, religions, castes, races, and cultures have multiple possibilities laid out in front of them because of education. They in turn strive to create more opportunities for others, even if only within their community.
Education has made filling an irrational rift possible by making merit the only criterion for judgment.
Education makes people more tolerant of others. It makes them more open-minded, so they can accept different views and opinions. This further opens the gates for equal opportunities and a better standard of living for everyone.
As a tool for empowerment:
Empowering someone with knowledge is the best way you can help them. As mentioned above, education is the most powerful tool in the world.
Minority sections are usually left unseen and ignored despite their potential. Educating these sections of society not only initiates their growth but also the growth of society because empowered people empower people.
For instance, increased education rates for women have led more women to join the workforce across various industries and stand up against the inequality they face.
More and more women are being empowered through education, which has helped in the creation of a more inclusive and empathetic society. There is still a long way to go, but the importance of education in empowering sections of society cannot be overlooked.
Education enables you to become independent, confident, and courageous. Creates a safer world to live in.
Improves productivity in society. Helps you get to know yourself,
Improves mental as well as physical health, Promotes and maintains peace among members of the global community, Develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills,
Helps in keeping up with the dynamic environment and adapting to it.
Education can change the world. If you think about it, having an education shaped you as a human being.
You are aware of yourself, you realize your place in the world, and you can dream of achieving big things.
This is why the importance of education cannot be stressed enough.
