EDUCATION FOR WHAT?

As life is a journey from the darkness of inexperience and ignorance to ever richer experience and knowledge. Acquiring knowledge necessarily become a life long process .There is no state of life without learning and there is no age where the process of education comes to an end. Education lasts throughout the entire life of man, from birth to death. But the process of life to has to be undertaken with full deliberation and on the straight path.

Before proceeding to may objective of writing this article, I would like to give here very brief account of human achievements, so that I would be able to make a mark effectively.

The vast body of knowledge that exists today has accumulated over the centuries. It is treasure trove of languages, social and natural science, religion and philosophy, folklore and fine art, mythology and ideology. The long perspective of time, the complex processes of life, the changing aspect of society and culture, all this is the stuff of knowledge. In this exciting and endless pursuit, however man remains the permanent point of reference.

 There has been a phenomenal growth of knowledge in the modern world. The

last five hundred years, since the European renaissance, has surpassed all previous ages in this regard. Urged by the curiosity and the need to search for new horizons, man has ventured to the corners of the globe, cruised through the

space and probed the mysteries of the universe. As a result the mastery of man over the forces of nature increased and the man has become the captain of his own soul and the master of his own destiny.

 As knowledge came closer to the reality, the beliefs and superstitions held by man for ages where exposed to the test of scientific analysis in the process, myths were and are being replaced by reality.

 In sum, the traditional world view has changed and the new ideas have gripped the human mind.

 Despite all these achievements and immense power through increased knowledge, man has failed to gear this vast body of knowledge to human values and process. Advances in science and technology have coupled with decline of moral and human values and has made the life poor in purposes.

The young one of an animal needs some training to lead its life, but mostly it lives by its instincts. With the human child the case is different. Unless he is properly trained, it is difficult for him even to eat and drink. The better the training the greater the ability of the child to adjust to life and society.

Unlike animals, man has to choose between two alternate paths. He feels that he is free to decide to one way or other and choose what he likes; therefore he needs much more help from education.

THE KIND OF EDUCATION:­­

It should be noted, is not merely academic education. It is education for life which academic education is only a part. We no longer educate ourselves to live right but only to get jobs. Our education has been commercialized. If our education can have no objective but to secure position of power and then work only for there personal gains, and abuse that power, given to them, against the very people that brought them into existence. Then these educate better to be called as:

“Literate illiterates”

Because the purpose of education is to lead from darkness to light not vice versa as it is today. This also tells us that the education is not being following in its true essence.

 Education becomes a much longer process when we come to the life in community as distinct from the individual’s life in society. Here the process of education is spread over generations. Each generation handovers its acquired experiences to another, while the latter adds its own to that already accumulated. The object of acquainting ourselves with the thoughts and practices of previous generation is to gain new insight and understandings so that we may be able to avoid the mistakes of our forefathers.

 But to learn is not an easy thing, it requires many condition and requisites before one is able to learn. A thousand vain desires will come in one’s way when one starts to learn; in fact to know and pursue one’s destination is not an easy thing.

To me the most important condition to learn is the self-discipline.

Self-discipline or self control is achieved by learning to obey and by learning to accept the criticism in the right spirit.

Self-discipline is the inexpensive priceless thing.

In the last, I want to leave a question for my colleagues and respected teachers, let’s ponder over it very seriously, conclude by involving your conscience and follow it accordingly. Here it is:

Education for what?