(Understanding the essence of the topic is of utmost importance for us to proceed on the topic. It talks about something learned in school and something that walks along with us through our journey of life. It is education that serves as a lifelong partner for an individual. The keyword here is ‘Education’. In the introduction we will discuss someone who has achieved something beyond education)
The Great Buddha became the Buddha outside the realm of his formal education when he came out of the confines of his palace. This shows that to become great one doesn’t need only formal education. It is the life lessons that remain with us even after school. This quote from Albert Einstein is a challenge for us as it challenges the conventional notion that education is confined to formal classrooms. He emphasized the 3 C’s of learning i.e. creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking over
rote learning.
(for a smooth transition from intro to the body, we will tell about our course of action i.e. how we will proceed)
Our current discourse is about how education plays its role beyond school. It highlights the significance of lifelong learning and the enduring value of knowledge acquired beyond the classroom.
(after the transition para, we will now delve deep into the topic. We will try to discuss what is the education here)
What comes to our mind when we think of education? Maybe a structured environment for learning (school, college, etc.), listening to what the teacher says in the classroom, and achieving higher grades. Traditional education systems try to teach both i.e. facts as well as morality. It depends on an individual how he/she applies this in his life.
(here we will discuss what is the role of formal education)
Formal Education: The Foundation for Advanced Learning
Formal education, no doubt plays a very crucial role in shaping the life of an individual. Imparted through schools, colleges, and universities, it creates a supportive environment for an individual that fosters intellectual growth and development. But, it is often seen that we tend to forget most of the lessons taught in school and what remains with us in the long run are morals and ethics. These morals help us in differentiating between the right and the wrong. It also enables us to make the right decisions which are unbiased and objective.
Formal education serves as a foundation for basic knowledge of the subject and gets us ready for advanced learning. It makes an individual job–ready according to the market requirements. Moreover, formal education inculcates in us values like discipline, reasoning, integrity, critical thinking, ethics and morality, etc. It also fosters the ability to collaborate with others. It tends to equip an individual with the necessary tools to navigate through the complexities of the modern world. This
also enables an individual to adapt to the changing circumstances. Thus, formal education serves as the foundation upon which the building of life rests.
(After discussing the role of formal education, we will try to bring out the flaws in the traditional education system.)
Where does the Traditional Education System fail?
The traditional education system provides us with information and tools that help us live our lives comfortably. But the matter of concern is that the modern education system gives undue importance to rote learning or Learning unimportant things. This method might be able to produce short–term results but fails to cultivate awareness of the surroundings i.e. life lessons. We have seen many people who secured an A+ in school/college but have failed miserably when it comes to life lessons (apply
their knowledge in the real world).
Our education system also focuses very much on examinations. Our examination–centric approach misses out on the diverse talents that we have around us. We should know that not every student is great at taking exams and many might have the ability to lead in practical applications or creativity which are given a miss by the exams.
Therefore, our traditional education system should come out of its rigid structure and focus on inculcating essential life skills in the students. Looking at the current scenario, there is a dire need to inculcate lessons on Emotional Intelligence, critical thinking, and creativity. A true education prepares students for the challenges posed by the real world.
(Now we will discuss how Learning goes on throughout our life. It is not barred by age or any of the confines. It requires only the willingness of the learner)
Learning throughout Life
Till now, we have discussed that formal education serves as a foundation upon which the journey of life rests. It is the pedestal for the beginning of the lifelong journey of learning. As the great scientist Einstein also held the essence of true education remains with us even after we have left the school classroom behind. True education is the culmination of knowledge alongwith various skills and insights that one gets throughout his lifetime irrespective of formal educational institutions.
Learning is not confined to a specific age or curriculum. Rather, it is a lifelong process. And irrespective of one’s age, one should always remain in the process of learning. Its forms keep on changing from reading books to attending workshops to engaging in online courses to gaining wisdom from life experiences and seeking mentorship. It is a proactive pursuit of self–improvement and personal growth. People who dare to tread on the lifelong journey of learning do not confine themselves to the boundaries of syllabus/curriculum, rather they tend to embrace the boundless ocean of opportunities to expand their horizons.
(Here, we are going to discuss the importance of knowledge. How knowledge remains with us till we are alive.)
The Eternity of Knowledge
The purpose of formal education is to gain knowledge. The knowledge thus gained has the potential of getting blurred as our memory needs regular revision to keep it for perpetuity. The value of education lies in the fact that it is eternal. The essence of the lifelong value of education lies in its ability to shape one’s perspective, stimulate curiosity, and provide the foundation for continuous learning. The knowledge thus gained acts as a platform for us to build our understanding of the world and ourselves.
Moreover, education goes beyond the accumulation of facts and figures. It inculcates in us values, ethics, and a sense of social responsibility. It enables individuals to think critically, evaluate information, and make informed life decisions. These qualities benefit individuals as well as contribute towards the betterment of society as a whole. For example, Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings are not just theoretical historical accounts as they enable us to pursue values such as non–violence, truth, resilience, patience, and perseverance. These teachings serve as life lessons for the students in their personal and professional lives. Also, with a visionary mindset, Tata’s ‘Holistic Education Project’ provides opportunities for learning through actions going beyond traditional education. It also includes soft skills, career awareness, etc.
Skills Needed Beyond the Classroom
Various skills are needed beyond the classroom. Some of them can be summed up under the following heads:
- Soft Skills: The skills that are hard to recognize but are conspicuous by their absence are called soft skills. The importance of hard skills in the job-oriented market can not be underestimated but there is a range of soft skills also which is required like – communication, leadership, teamwork, etc.
- Updation and Adaptability: Traditional classrooms teach traditional curriculums. There has been hardly any update for years. So, to remain in the race, one needs to be updated and also adapt according to the needs of the present times. For instance, the COVID pandemic has made us adopt digital platforms for payment, relying on e–commerce sites for shopping, etc.
- The Ability to Think Critically: Critical thinking enables an individual to make informed decisions in life. True education should inculcate critical thinking in students which inculcates in them the ability to question and remain objective by making unbiased decisions.
(We can write her some global examples as we have already written Indian examples. Proceeding by quoting examples that instill life in our writing.)
Learning from the Global Perspectives
Our neighbor Bhutan focuses on GNH i.e. Gross National Happiness over the GDP (globally accepted measure). Its education system promotes the overall well–being of students beyond academic and economic well–being.
(now that we have tried discussing all the aspects of the topic, we come to its conclusion)
The adage, “ Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school”, very rightly estimates the enduring significance of education held in our lives. Education has that transformative power that is not confined by the four walls of the classroom. Formal education provides the structured foundation needed for shaping our life perspectives. True education by going beyond the confines of our classrooms remains with us for the whole of our lives. Lifelong learning
and the lasting value of knowledge acquired throughout life are the essence of education. It is an ongoing process that enriches our minds, broadens our horizons, and empowers us to adapt ourselves to a realm of learning. Thus, concluding this discourse through the words of John Dewey,
“ Education is not preparation for life; education is life in itself “
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