Education
Here’s How We Save Our Education System
Recently whilst scrolling through Linkedin, I came across an extremely angry student. He had just graduated from university with a 1st Class Honours in Engineering. And he was not a happy bunny at all.
He wrote an essay about his struggle to find a job. However, that did not bother me at all. I understood his pain because I have been in his shoes. But what I did not appreciate was his complete disregard for educational institutions.
He blamed his failed job search on them, and he explained he would be better off without his degree. Now, I know people get emotional and say silly stuff they may not mean. But this was a step over the line. Especially coming from someone who had dedicated much of his life to it.
I have already spoken about my worry about further education. Students lack of respect for educational institutions is growing. Find the article below.
In that article, I highlight the importance of teaching knowledge as the greatest good. Students tend to pursue higher education for all different types of reasons. But hardy for its purpose, which is to show knowledge is beautiful.
I do believe that if educational institutions do not return to their original purpose, they will fall. And by fall, I mean they will become a place to solely prepare students for the workforce (if that has not happened already).
However, by doing this, students devalue the knowledge they learn and only see it as a way to get a large salary.
As we can see from the student on Linkedin, he was not at university for the pure joy of learning. If he was, he would have never scorned his course and regretted his education. Educators are in a crisis, and I think it is essential to see that.
The question is, how do we save the education system from being turned into a workshop for future careers? And how do we continue to carry our message that knowledge is the greatest good in society? Well, here is how we can start. And it begins with returning to our roots and appreciating knowledge.
Teach Knowledge Is Beautiful
In Plato’s book The Republic, he presents an idea to ensure that society has intelligent and reasonable individuals. He argues that beauty is the starting point. That is because all rational human beings are attracted to beauty. But what is beautiful must be defined by society.
So, Plato concluded that education should teach that knowledge is beautiful. In doing so, people in his society will be attracted to education and pursue it.
Before, knowledge was the most scarce good in society. That is because the world was still in development, and no one knew anything about anything. So, curiosity was our tool to find things out, making knowledge seem extraordinary.
However, all we need to do now is complete a google search to open up a world of knowledge. It appears that knowledge is abundant and no longer beautiful. That is because the most beautiful things in the world tend to be rare.
Diamonds, gold and precious stones are all scarce and beautiful things we admire. Scarcity is an important part of how we measure value and decides many of the prices in our economy today. So, when knowledge appears vast, it is devalued by society.
As educators, we need to let our students know that google does not have all the answers. And in fact, knowledge is still beautiful because it is scarce. We can do this by creating an environment for wonder and exploration.
Have a look at these three steps:
- Highlight a knowledge gap in the world.
- Point out that we do not have the resources currently to solve it.
- Show the work that is going on to try to solve it.
An example of using this 3 step process would be the current pandemic. See below.
Step 1: As a society, we would like to think that we are advanced enough to deal with a virus. But COVID-19 has shown us how unprepared and ignorant we are. The virus has led to huge spreads all over the world. And with much suffering, there are concerns that we may never get out of it.
Step 2: Unfortunately, we are seeing high death tolls because our current resources are under pressure. Our hospitals are full and scientists still do not understand the virus in its entirety.
Step 3: Nevertheless, work is being done in developing a vaccine. So far, scientists have found that the virus…
By presenting knowledge in this way, we show those listening that knowledge is scarce and much needed. Now, there will not always be a pandemic to use as an example. But by using this simple 3 step method, you can excite your students and spark their curiosity.
They will be more likely to ask questions and be engaged. Knowledge will no longer appear as something easy to achieve. But instead, as something precious and needed in the world. Here, students will gain respect for it and see the beauty in it.
Educational institutions must begin putting the beauty back in knowledge. And that can only be done by presenting knowledge in a way that is attractive to students.
Google and other platforms have made it harder for people to appreciate the knowledge in the world. But it is educations job to put it back where it belongs. And that is right at the top of society as the most beautiful thing anyone can obtain.
Knowledge Is the Answer to Our Pain
Have you ever noticed that pain preserves our lives? If there were no pain, we would all be doing crazy stuff with no consequences. But because we can feel pain, it stops us from wanting to embark on a painful journey again. However, with every painful experience comes fear.
When we go through heartbreak or stub our toe, we become very fearful and cautious. We may carry doubts into our next relationship because of what happened in the past. And we may not want to walk in the same area where we stubbed our toe to avoid a painful experience.
The thing is, most clever individuals learn to get through their fears. And that is because they let knowledge be the answer to their fears.
“A lack of knowledge creates fear. Seeking knowledge creates courage.” — Candice Swanepoel
An example of this is when children are initially scared of the dark. They fear that something might creep up on them or is hiding under the bed. But with a bit more experience, children learn that a dark room is the same as a light room. Nothing has changed apart from their ability to see.
By knowing this, children can eradicate their fear of the dark and sleep peacefully in it. Also, knowing that the boogeyman or ghost do not exist stops fears of the dark too. In our deepest pain, we find that knowledge is the soother.
Knowledge also acts as an explanation for our pain. When we are sick or have hurt ourselves, knowledge will often enlighten the situation. It explains why we are feeling that way and offers a solution.
And this is what education must teach. That not only is knowledge beautiful, but it also brings about explanations for our pain. With pain being a part of most of our lives, we all need knowledge to understand it.
So, we must let students know that through their pain, pursuing knowledge is the answer. This can be done by constantly reminding them that knowledge serves a greater purpose than just helping you in your job.
Give them practical examples of where it has helped you in your life. Tell them your life experiences and where knowledge helped you grow. That way, students begin to see the beauty and healing power of knowledge in action.
Closing Thoughts
The presentation of knowledge in this way is helpful, but it is not all. We need individuals working in education who believe in the purpose of it. I have had many teachers in my life who do not appear to enjoy transferring or uplifting knowledge.
We need passionate teachers who want to carry the purpose of education. That is to show that knowledge is the greatest good anyone can have. Then, we must reform educational institutions to the way they used to be. Yes, education is beneficial for the job market, but it has a higher calling than that.
Education must be placed where it belongs, as the apex of society. And why does education belong at the top you ask? Simple. Because without knowledge, we would not be here. It is the only thing that keeps us alive. And will always be the thing needed for survival.
It keeps us safe, develops society and allows us to appreciate the world we live in more. So if you are someone working in education, I challenge you to carry this message with you. And if you do not, I hope you have realised why education is the only reason why anything is here.
