"What is Education?"

Education is a simple word, yet it has a complex meaning. Depending on people’s perceptions, some may see it as “going to school,” “boring and long lectures,” or “scary teachers.” Education is perceived differently depending on the people, the culture, and the country. But what is the real meaning of education? Why is it so important? Why do people see it differently than the other?

Basically, education has a complex yet understandable concept. Education is a two way process, which involves “teaching” and “learning.” It involves individuals known as “students” who are learning something from a teacher who gives knowledge and wisdom to his or her students. That knowledge will have an effect on the mind, character, and behavior of those who are exposed to it. And also, upon gaining that knowledge, education is taught and passed on from one generation to another.

Education has a major role in shaping the minds of each generation all over the world. A person gains knowledge, wisdom, skills, and values upon gaining education. One that is well-educated is well-rounded, more aware of his or her surroundings and the world, and has the capability of earning income twice as much as those who are not. Opportunities are endless for those who are well-educated because a person who has a college degree is more likely to be hired by big companies, businesses, and corporations because of their skills, knowledge, and valuable experiences gained while at school. Degree holders are most likely to have a stable white collar job, which has more income compared to blue-collar jobs.

Perceptions on education are quite different depending on different areas and countries all over the world. In most wealthy and powerful nations such as the United States, education is seen as an option and just something that has to be done, and not considered a need. Most Americans perceive education as something that they have to do to get a job or something to do because of boredom. Because of this, the ranking of America when it comes to global competitiveness is deteriorating. According to Krista Kafer, the Senior Political Analyst of Education of the Heritage Foundation, the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, shows that only 31 percent of 4th graders are proficient in reading, while 32 percent are proficient in mathematics, 29 percent in science, and 18 percent in American history. Low-income students did half as well. In fact, over half of poor fourth graders failed to show even a basic level of knowledge in reading, science, or history (http://www.heritage.org/Research/Education/wm478.cfm).
 

On the other hand, according to ABC news, developing countries such as China and India tend to do well in education despite being known for its poverty. Students from the poorest parts of the world see education as a savior from poverty. Education can move mountains, and many desire to have it but cannot because of lack of funding from the government and poverty. “Can you imagine a fourth grade class in America, alone, without a teacher, sitting there quietly and working on their lessons?” asked Greg Mortenson, in his bestselling novel Three Cups of Tea. He is a well known American philanthropist and mountaineer. Upon seeing the educational situation of children up in the village of Korphe in Karakoram Range, Pakistan, during his failed attempt to climb the summit of K-2, he dedicated his life to serve those who live there. He admired the children of Korphe for their desire to learn, so he built schools all over northern Pakistan and Afghanistan.
 

Also, on rural areas, for example, in the remotest part of the Philippines, students see education as the key to reaching their dreams and an escape to their current situation. Students there are willing to walk for four to six hours just to go to the nearest school. They cross mountains, rivers, and vast fields. Most of the time, children over there walk barefoot because they have no money to afford buying shoes or slippers. Somehow, people from the poorest and remotest areas all over the world value education very much and sees it as a treasure, while at rich wealthy countries and urban areas, education is mostly taken for granted. Because education is quite abundant and common to these places, it’s not considered special. It is merely something that an individual has to do to get a diploma and move on to the next educational level.

From the words of American educator Derek Bok, “People say education is expensive, try being ignorant.” One must see the importance of education in the society, and the role it portrays in helping shape the nation for the future. It is very disappointing that many people from wealthy and abundant nations will take good quality education for granted. An average person will take two decades of school in a lifetime. If one does not take education seriously, the effect is five decades of ignorance and mediocrity, and that’s all a person will ever be. It’s not worth it. If only the youth nowadays knew the negative impact neglect will cause in their lives, probably not a single child will ever take good education for granted.
 

The concept of education is quite different depending on how one sees it. But the important idea is that one must value the blessing of having a good quality of education because it plays an important role in shaping the future of each individual, and the minds of future generations that will inhabit the world we live in.