Poem taken from:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10205114253453224&set=a.10205159723109937
The poem by Shum is written in an interesting ‘twin cinema’ poetic form that could be read in three ways – two separate columns and once across horizontally. This poem truly makes readers reflect on the true purpose of education.
What is the real purpose of education?
The human race has made significant progress since their first existence. From being cave dwelling Neanderthals to now being jet-setting futurists, we have come a long way. Today, as we gear up to become a planet of 9 billion people, are we better off than we were millenniums ago?
Of course, access to the bare necessities of life has never been easier. Shelter, electricity, food, and hygiene have considerably improved the quality of our lives. But the one essential element that separates us from the ‘uncivilised’, is education. Sadly, many people around the world are still deprived of access to education.
What is education?
The classic definition of education is “the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university”. Literacy and numeracy are basic skills taught in school. However, education is much more than just scoring well in examinations. It is a process of continuous learning which can be acquired anywhere at any time and any age.
Let us see how education can help enhance progress and make the world a better place.
- Education spreads awareness
Education leads to the growing awareness of how individual, societies and the world works, allowing humans to keep striving to become better versions of themselves. Education is about equipping individuals with knowledge that are based on truths and evidence. In school, teachers aim to teach critical thinking so that students are able to process the myriad of information from various sources and to ultimately discern truths from falsehoods. People who are misled by false beliefs and superstitions do more harm than good to society. An educated mind asks for logic and scientific reasoning behind all actions. For example, psychology provides information on how the human mind works after years of research and studies. With this knowledge, we understand human minds better and hence we can derive reliable solutions on how to improve mental health of individuals.
2. Education helps us stand up against wrong and for the right
Education makes us better citizens by providing us with a moral compass that teaches how to conduct ourselves appropriately in different situations. There will be less crimes when people put to practise what they have learnt. For example, History teaches us how wars will create disastrous impacts on people and physical infrastructures, and the future generations to come. When we apply what we have learnt, it is crucial that politicians, leaders and people avoid wars by all means.
3. Education helps us connect across borders
Learning and reading about the history, experiences and cultures of people from all over the world help us to be more understanding of people’s habits, behaviours and traditions. This insight develops global citizens who are confident in navigating the world independently and they also tend to be more empathetic and hence willing to work towards building a better world together. For example, learning about the ‘do and don’t’ from locals before travelling to certain countries will help travelers avoid unnecessary conflicts due to lack of awareness. People from different countries can share their tips and experiences of solo-travelling and this can even lead to more travelling adventures with people of different nationalities!
4. Education gives empowerment
Education can help turn weakness into strength. Education gives us the confidence to stand for ourselves. It improves our decision-making capabilities and gives us access to social networks which help us to learn about basic human rights and true freedom all over the world. Many researchers have proven that in countries where women are subjected to gender bias, education helped them stand up against marital violence, improved their decision-making capabilities and helped them take charge of their own lives. One such example is Malala Yousefzai, who is an education activist, was shot by a masked gunman after she spoke publicly on behalf of girls and the right to learn in Pakistan. She survived the attack and continued to use her voice to empower girls all over the world. Read more about Malala Yousefzai’s inspiring story here: https://malala.org/malalas-story
Image credits: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c7/da/98/c7da98ccccff9b6efcebb7fd8c24ed59.jpg
As we read stories of how education systems in other countries are evolving and improving, we should be inspired to make the world a better place.
In West Africa, 11-year-old Rachidatou Sana concentrates on getting her answer exactly right.
Photo credit: Sophie Garcia
Already an outstanding pupil at Kua C school in Bobo-Dioulasso, she loves mathematical problem-solving but will have to find her own solution in the fight to keep on with her studies. Like many girls her age in Burkina Faso, Rachidatou was born to poor parents (her mother is illiterate) and is daily torn between home chores, earning a living and studying to better her situation. “I feel very lucky to go to school every day. My mother did not get that chance,” Rachidatou says. All she wants is an equal chance, the same as everyone else. She plans to go to college to train as a nurse so that she can help her family and others.
“I thought that teaching people would be giving them the gift of a lifetime”
Photo credit : Jyothy Karat
Teacher Prathibha Balakrishnan, 38, came to the village of Kadichanokolli deep in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve in southern India in 2008 with a mission to teach the Betta Karumba mountain people. There was no electricity, no school and no healthcare. She joined hands with another extraordinary woman, namely Badichi, 44. Badichi, a tribal matriarch with seven children, has very little schooling but an innate understanding of the power of education. She worked hard as a housemaid to pay the tuition fees for all of her children and her grand-child Anitha who was abandoned by her parents. The Betta Kurumba, a secluded people who mostly work on tea and coffee plantations, have high levels of illiteracy. When Prathibha needed an ally to persuade them, Badichi went into action. Both women gained in confidence, gathering support to successfully petition the local government to install a primary school, roads and electricity. Along the way, Badichi’s daughters Seetha, 17, and Vasanthi, 19, who are pupils of Prathibha, returned the favour by teaching her the local language. Some villagers speak Prathibha’s native Tamil but are now taught in their own language. Seetha is now in 11th grade, Vasanthi has enrolled to become a nurse in a hospital nearby and both speak three languages, a leap forward for a village where most adults are illiterate.
These stories reveal that education is very much valued and regarded as the key to lead a better life. In Singapore, every child has the opportunity to learn in a safe and well-equipped school environment. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong states that, “Education is one of the most important things that Singaporeans have. And it is one of the most important things that the Government pays attention to because we believe that through education, we can help our citizens gain skills, learn knowledge, become productive and useful, become good people and make a living for themselves.” Singapore’s affordable and high-quality education is vital to Singapore’s future. A change in perspective will make us realise that we should strive to give our best in school and make the best out of the learning opportunity that we have in school.
What would you say to encourage someone who has lost interest in learning?
Sources:
- https://www.knowledgehut.com/blog/learning/education-powers-better-world
- https://malala.org/malalas-story
- https://en.unesco.org/news/power-education-inspiring-stories-four-continents
- https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education-system-designed-to-bring-out-best-in-every-student-pm
