The Purpose of Education
by Mimi Rothschild
It was Aristotle who described education as “an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity”. While discussing education in general and home-schooling in particular, one has to consider two aspects related to it - The purpose of education and the means to attain a good education.
A constant factor in human life is that there is a unique goal set for each individual. The realization of one’s goal is sometimes inspired by others, and in most cases it is taught through the events in one’s life. Education continues to be the tool that will help an individual realize and attain his or her goal in life. It is pertinent to note that the goals need not necessarily be one of materialistic nature and education is not necessarily tangible with a degree. Education should not strive to deliver extrinsic goals that are tied to the society through social behavior, political ideologies, monetary heights or any form of global awakening. Education should serve a more introspective purpose and should be intrinsic to the individual.
It is prudent to trace back the original purpose of education rather than the contrived notion of it. The times are changing and the concept of education has been influenced by the changes. Today, more than ever, the process of education requires a ‘guide by the side’ rather than a ‘sage on stage’. Home education nurtures the nascent need for education rather than the contrived income-oriented purpose that is attached to it these days.
As is evident in the notes of the website for home-schooling, Classical Home-Schooling: “Educators are returning to classical education as modern educational methods continue to produce high school graduates who are not only functionally illiterate and lacking in critical thinking skills, but morally bankrupt as well.”
The purpose of education is to create a spiritual liberation of the minds. The aim is to discover His image in the awakening of this knowledge. It is the path to discover oneself. History teaches us that those who discover themselves have had a great impact on humanity. Some of the inspirational people in history including George Washington, Florence Nightingale, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , authors Mark Twain and Charles Dickens, scientists Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin and numerous others have helped shape the better features of our society. In addition, they were all home-schooled.
The purpose of education is to renew minds and to discover Him who created them.
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