All qualified and experienced minds have their own vision of education; a little nine years old came up with exciting things.
I happen to visit a place in Assam (India), where I saw this little girl extremely busy with pretend play as a teacher caning pole in the field for not completing Math homework. So, I somehow booked an appointment, fearing those strokes of the cane, to ask about her views on "education." In no seconds, she replied, "You are a big girl; you don't know what education is." I said, "I know little less, so I want to know from you." She replied that education is to "study."
On asking her, "What should I actually "study"? She answered, "Study English"- this was something unexpected, so I planned to bore her a little and further said, "If I study something in Assamese (The language spoken in the place), isn't this education?" She replied, "You're a fool! Assamese is Language". This was really funny, so I asked her again, "So what is English little girl? It isn't a language? She thought for a while and said, "English is a language... (pause) (pause). my books are in English. I have to read it". I further enquired, "We have to read books for education, right?". In no minute, she replied, "Yes, or else how will I be a teacher!".
I didn't intend to intervene more, so I left her mere giving a bar of chocolate for her patience, just telling her, "Work Hard and be a good teacher" without explaining the concept behind "What education actually is?" She was too little to understand the depth behind.
A mind which at childhood stage houses, "Learning English is Education," will not take much time to consider "Getting a qualification degree is education" as a young person. Therefore, the very foundation should be corrected to expect a better citizen of tomorrow.
In a race, one has to win for sure. Similarly, the English Language has received the status of "global language over the last hundred years." No doubt, it deserves to be the medium of the curriculum for schools and other institutions. Simultaneously, having English speaking or writing efficiency would make any person eligible partially in any sector. But one should be sure that "To learn English is not to be educated; we can term it as being "Literate" if one could read and write it.
Education is something beyond that. It functions as a cycle "From the moment you wake up - to the moment you make your way to bed tonight: You wake up early because you know it is good for your health and morning exercises are equally important. In a short while, you would prepare your breakfast in an amount which suffices not planning to waste it. While heading to your office, you saw a used drink container lying down and so disposed the garbage without bothering much about where the garbage collector is. And while heading home, you took your friend to your car as a favor for he takes public transport and could not find one on that particular day". It takes a lot to think or accept that if daily chores in a good manner , is all about education or not. The answer is, "YES."
Let us make three divisions-
- Good academic results make you a "Literate."
- To have Good Values makes you "Educated."
- To have both makes you a perfect one.
Just think about it "Who are you?"- THE LITERATE or THE EDUCATED or BOTH LITERATE AND EDUCATED.
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