What is this education? Is it something we can eat? Is it tasty? Well analogically speaking it is food and it is delicious if you find the right one. Literary speaking, hell no, it’s not food, obviously. So what is true education?
Education can be defined in various ways. Some may define it as books and degrees. Some may say its experience. But all these definitions are not the same house with different entrances. This time, it’s different. Most people in the world tend to think it’s about books and degrees. It’s not always right. Not universal. So in order to simplify this complication we need a universal definition of education.
Education can be defined in various ways. Some may define it as books and degrees. Some may say its experience. But all these definitions are not the same house with different entrances. This time, it’s different. Most people in the world tend to think it’s about books and degrees. It’s not always right. Not universal. So in order to simplify this complication we need a universal definition of education.
So, what is exactly education? It means understanding. Understanding what? That’s a good question. From the day we were born, we are observing the nature and its properties that interacts with us. And then we react to it. Such as imitating, defending or offending and etc. let’s take an example. Remember the day of your very first word? I hope u don’t remember it cause you were small. Ask your parents for that. So how did we exactly say the first word? We were observing the sound of the words, the techniques that our parents and elders were saying. And we react to it by imitating. At least trying to. By attempting time to time, we succeed by speaking. That’s how our brain works. And how did the brain do that? By understanding the surroundings as I said before. Isn’t that one of the intrinsic of education?
As you can see now, understanding can define education in a universal aspect. But has the world’s education systems identified this definition? Yes. Unfortunately, only a handful of education systems does. Some countries’ education systems believes that observing and understanding are two major tools for education. But some doesn’t. It doesn’t mean that they reject the idea but they don’t accept it either. They just keep the idea but never uses them.
Thousands of years ago, education was limited only to a few people. Mostly the rich, high cast people. The poor, low cast people were rejected and were restricted from education. The only education they got was the hereditary education. This tradition continued till the industrialization era which made a huge change on education. With the rise of democracy within this age, education limitation expanded throughout a lot of people. And in the 20th century, it expanded throughout the world. But the education system they followed was memorizing. Everything had to be memorized to be educated.
As you can see now, understanding can define education in a universal aspect. But has the world’s education systems identified this definition? Yes. Unfortunately, only a handful of education systems does. Some countries’ education systems believes that observing and understanding are two major tools for education. But some doesn’t. It doesn’t mean that they reject the idea but they don’t accept it either. They just keep the idea but never uses them.
Thousands of years ago, education was limited only to a few people. Mostly the rich, high cast people. The poor, low cast people were rejected and were restricted from education. The only education they got was the hereditary education. This tradition continued till the industrialization era which made a huge change on education. With the rise of democracy within this age, education limitation expanded throughout a lot of people. And in the 20th century, it expanded throughout the world. But the education system they followed was memorizing. Everything had to be memorized to be educated.
Fortunately, in the 21st century, this changed to creativity. Creativity is the priority now and which I think is the best education for a human brain. Humans are creative and it is meant to be that way. But we did not realize due to various superstitions and heresies. But with technology and expanded education, humans realized that without creativity the race would not have survived throughout the ages.
So, what’s the connection between understanding and creativity? Like I mentioned before, understanding means observing reality and reacting. The way you react is creativity. Seems confusing. Let me explain. Say that you learned a new word. Now you react by using the word. But how do you are using the word is creativity. People think that creativity has to be new and unique. It doesn’t always have to. You just have to think different. Maybe someone in the world have already thought about the same thing. So, people will tend to tell you that your idea is old and it’s not creative. But, you thought it on your own. It doesn’t matter what others think. You thought it on your own. You have the ability to think different.
Now, has anyone of you been taught to think like this at school? I bet a thousand bucks that most of you haven’t. Why is that? Why is our education systems not teaching us how to think? First of all why are we being educated? To learn how to live. Without knowledge, humans won’t be able to survive under any circumstances. This knowledge can either be empirical or theoretical.
So, what’s the connection between understanding and creativity? Like I mentioned before, understanding means observing reality and reacting. The way you react is creativity. Seems confusing. Let me explain. Say that you learned a new word. Now you react by using the word. But how do you are using the word is creativity. People think that creativity has to be new and unique. It doesn’t always have to. You just have to think different. Maybe someone in the world have already thought about the same thing. So, people will tend to tell you that your idea is old and it’s not creative. But, you thought it on your own. It doesn’t matter what others think. You thought it on your own. You have the ability to think different.
Now, has anyone of you been taught to think like this at school? I bet a thousand bucks that most of you haven’t. Why is that? Why is our education systems not teaching us how to think? First of all why are we being educated? To learn how to live. Without knowledge, humans won’t be able to survive under any circumstances. This knowledge can either be empirical or theoretical.
I’ve heard that in japan, until grade 3, kids won’t face any kind of exams. They only teach them the basics such as manners. They say that it’s not worth teaching children at a small age to compete with each other but rather to be human and gentle. Isn’t this what we should’ve done in our childhood? I’m sure that some of you will say that these primary education should be taught at home. But not everyone gets that opportunity.
Our education has blocked the ability to think creative. It has captured us and jailed us in a framework where we can only think up to limits. Human mind is unlimited. So why isn’t this education letting us unleash our full potential? If so, humans would be way better than we think. We will be able to think all the possibilities and choose the correct path which helps the world. Not to destroy it.
I’m concluding this article with an extract of the song “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd.
A second part of this article will come soon based on the opinion of you readers.
"We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
A second part of this article will come soon based on the opinion of you readers.
"We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
- Akila Hettiarachchi