Emphasis On Education

We are living in a society that is increasingly getting knowledge based. And to function in such society, we need good education, skills, money, and other things. In fact, education has become so important that without it, we cannot lead a dignified and meaningful life. But desire to earn more and money has greatly shaped our attitude, to the extent that today the whole system of education is centred on it. For some, education is about learning a set of marketable skills needed to earn money; for others, it is a preparation for passing the examinations. Today global education market has grown so big that it's now an $8 trillion industry, according to one estimate.

To be sure, one of the important goals of education is to impart skills that enhances pupils' chances of employability. But that is not the critically important one. Education is much more than a mere accumulation of knowledge. It opens the door to a wider world of possibilities and is essential for progressive society everywhere. So what it means to be educated in its truest sense? Crucially, education is civilisation building. When pupils lack the knowledge about who we are in essence, and what role we need to play in this world as human beings even after 'getting educated', such education cannot serves the life's true purpose. 

To be human is to be related, so relations between fellow humans are the source of abiding happiness and fulfilment. When education fails to foster harmonious relations, instil a sense of duty towards family, society and world as a whole, cultivate a sense of sensitivity towards all life-forms around, it doesn't go far enough. Then a mere paper degree that doesn't bring attitudinal changes can be a tool in the wrong hands.  

Education must enable a pupil discern right from wrong and lay the groundwork to lead a meaningful and dignified life. The more educated a society gets, the more it abhors violence and ugliness that blight civilisation, and strive to make and propagate peace. Recognising the significance of education, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has highlighted the need for education system that enables citizens to overcome the multi-dimensional challenges resulting from globalisation.  He rightly pointed out that education should prepare accountable, progressive and foresighted human resource that contributes significantly to the country's economy.

To navigate the complexities of modern world, just being literate is nowhere enough. Striving for education that would make a real difference in life is the need of the hour. Above all, it must inculcate in young minds the value that takes all life as sacrosanct, stimulating curiosity to know everything that stays throughout one's life. When an individual is educated that way, not only s/he lives a fulfilling life but also be of use to the society. 

Education can have a transformational impact on people's life, making people wise and eager to work for greater good and driving them in pursuit of ideals of enlightenment. The importance of education cannot be overstated. There is no denying the fact that we have a long way to go to bring about radical changes in our education system to suit the call of the changing time. The sorry state of public schools is the reminder that a lot has to be done to improve the quality of education our students from general background are getting.