Real Education

Q: Why is our education system so bad?

Krishna: "Education system" ? What does it really mean? Just learning ABCD? Or the structures of atoms and diagrams of digestive systems?

However, what is real education is not limited to academic pursuits. It is a process of understanding the world and how we can make the best of it. So, it is not about the school or college you are educated in. It is about how well and with what kind of knowledge you manage to understand life. How well you can relate and connect  your knowledge to the situations you face in life and make all the right decisions. It is about understanding how one’s world works and using that knowledge to benefit society. 

For instance, scientists who are trained in life sciences, when faced with life threatening situations, use their knowledge to save lives. We have seen this during COVID-19 epidemic. I have seen scientists working day and night to understand the problem, finding solutions to it and helping the world with their work. That is how COVID vaccines and  treatments emerged. This knowledge and hard work in the right direction  saved millions of people all over the world. 

But we have also seen throughout history quite the opposite happening. 

Israeli educational psychologist Haim Ginott writes about a letter that teachers would receive from their principal each year:

I am a survivor of a concentration camp. My eyes saw what no person should witness: gas chambers built by learned engineers. Children poisoned by educated physicians. Infants killed by trained nurses. Women and babies shot by high school and college graduates.

So, I am suspicious of education.

My request is this:  Help your children become human. Your efforts must never produce learned monsters, skilled psychopaths or educated Eichmanns. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are important only if they serve to make our children more human.

I saw teachers bullying people on social media sites. What do these teachers teach when they are in class-rooms? I have seen graduate mothers harassing others who don't agree with them on the net. What do these mothers teach their children in their homes? 

No wonder people take pictures and videos of accidents to share on social media instead of helping the wounded and dying. They just ignore dying victims and just go away instead of helping them. 

I feel so sick when I watch these things. People share so many nice quotes every day but do exactly the opposite when real situations demand them to act! 

Vivekananda said: Real education is the one that takes one 's heart and mind towards the right direction. 

What is the right direction?  

Is it just securing ranks or grades or academic excellence and finding the best jobs and then enjoying life in bars and clubs?  It is about preparing the students for what is to come by gaining skills and knowledge to help them in the future?   It is the one that provides you with an opportunity to learn and grow as a good human being?    Should the ultimate goal be just to earn bread and butter for survival?

Will it be useful if the education we have or the certificates we achieve can earn the required bread and butter  or have lifestyles that increase our social statuses in the world?

Or do they use it if they get an opportunity to work on social projects like helping an older person with his groceries or working with children in need? Or use their knowledge like the scientists did during covid-19 pandemic for the whole world?

Each person has to decide what is the best direction. We can only show the directions. Ultimately it is they who decide what is good and what is bad. Only good teachers and parents can help them do this. But if the teachers and parents themselves are bad at these things, who can save the world? 

The purpose of education should be to develop the potential of each individual in an environment that encourages curiosity and creativity, where students are challenged and supported to achieve their best  as real human beings. 

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Education is one of the most important facets of human life. It is a process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and beliefs that are essential for personal growth, development, and societal progress. While many people associate education with academic achievement and career success, the true meaning of education extends far beyond these superficialities.

At its core, education is about personal transformation. It is about learning how to think critically, ask questions, and make informed decisions. It is about gaining a deeper understanding of oneself, others, and the world around us. True education goes beyond classroom walls and permeates every aspect of life. It is a lifelong journey of discovery, growth, and development.

The true meaning of education is not just about memorizing facts and figures, but about developing a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world. It is about cultivating a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. True education is not just about getting good grades, but about developing a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It is about discovering one's passions, talents, and strengths and using them to make a positive impact on the world.

One of the key aspects of true education is character development. Education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about developing virtues such as honesty, compassion, integrity, and respect for others. It is about learning how to be a good citizen, a responsible member of society, and a moral and ethical individual. True education teaches us how to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, not just how to make a living.

Another important aspect of true education is social and emotional learning. Education is not just about cognitive development, but about emotional and social development as well. It is about learning how to relate to others, communicate effectively, and build meaningful relationships. True education helps us develop empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence, which are essential for personal and professional success.

In today's rapidly changing world, true education is more important than ever. The challenges we face as a society, such as  climate change, social inequality, and global conflict, require individuals who are well-educated, informed, and committed to making a positive difference in the world. True education is not just about personal growth, but about societal progress as well.

In conclusion, the true meaning of education is multifaceted and complex. It is about personal transformation, character development, social and emotional learning, and making a positive impact on the world with academic education. Education is not just a means to an end, but a lifelong journey of discovery and growth. As the famous philosopher and educator John Dewey once said, "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself."

Think about this and find a solution to the 'bad' situation we are in now.