Importance of Education

My ESL Class in Volgograd-Russia @Go! English Centre for Foreign Languages

Education can basically be defined as acquiring knowledge. Some individuals do not understand the significance of education, therefore, do not try to give their wards and themselves the advantage.

The reason most colonies decided to fight for their independence stems from the education their leaders obtained from their colonial masters. It is often heard from elderly people that during the Dr Kwame Nkrumah era (the 1960s) every child had to be in school otherwise their parents were held as culprits by social welfare workers. It is non-excusable to deny anyone of education as it spearheads them for success in this day. The more reason why it has been factored into the constitution of Ghana from her alliance with the Commonwealth of Nations ­­– the right to education. Avenues one can acquire education include homes, schools, palaces, places of worship and all agents of socialisation.

Nelson Mandela once said, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Mandela said this because he knew with education, people could improve on their quality of life and live a more fulfilled life. With education, one is able to secure a good job and afford to make ends meet. When third world countries are compared to countries like Switzerland and Sweden, the vast difference spotted is the literacy rate of the citizens. For instance, the adult literacy rate of Ghana at the moment stands at less than 60% compared to her colonial master England who stands at 99%.  Lack of education contributes towards the challenges facing the country such as the rise in urban-migration, illegal migration to Europe, increase in teenage pregnancies, practice of obnoxious culture such as female genital mutilation, tribal mark scarring, dehumanizing widowhood rites among despicable others.

Furthermore, education helps to realize innate talents and skills. When talent is refined with education, one is able to deliver his or her utmost best. People often realize what they are good at when they are young and decide to pursue them as careers, those who go for education or apprenticeship turn out to be very good at what they do; altering and making notable adjustments to what seemed to be the status quo. Dr Don Shirley became a star pianist by learning to play the piano from his mother (a clear example of informal education). Today he is celebrated as one of the world’s eminent pianist.

Nevertheless, education has its pitfalls. Some flipsides to education are: it is very expensive, the pursuit of education sometimes kills talents, parental pressure over education leads to suicide worldwide, it contributes to the high unemployment rate in many countries etc.

It is, however, an inevitable fact that the benefits of education outlive its downside. Education has significantly helped with poverty alleviation, busting myths and superstitions, safety and security against crimes, helped in commerce and trade, improved law and order and helped significantly with communication. According to John Dewey, education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.

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