Summary
- What is education?
- Why is education important?
Importance of Education Essay
Education, as we know it today, is the dissemination of information or knowledge. It generally refers to a classroom mode of instruction. However, the recent trends have shifted to a more nuclear teaching type, homeschooling. Whatever the mode or type of teaching, the primary purpose of education is to gain knowledge.
History has made many special mentions of worldly scholars and educationists who have made a difference in society. In India and abroad, education has existed in different forms. In India, the ancient texts speak of the gurukul system of education. Here, pupils would reside in the guru’s house, learn various concepts like math and science, and train in certain self-management and social skills.
The later part of history saw the birth of universities and pathshalas that were more organized. Foreign travellers would write of their experiences at the universities in India and speak volumes of the rich knowledge and information they gained during their stay.
Today, though the underlying theme of education remains unchanged, the methods and modes of teaching have adapted to the changing needs of society. We now see more traditional schools in various parts of the city and rural areas. The increase in the number of schools and universities around the country and the world shows the importance of education.
Education includes the building of social skills, knowledge, technique and information. It includes the overall development of the mind, body and soul. Theoretical knowledge, practical training, physical well being and peace of mind are all part of education and must be made an integral part of formal education to ensure the overall development of the students. In our previous articles the importance of value education essay and why moral education is important, we have reiterated the need for value education in the education system.
Importance of education
Education plays a vital role in society today. Education significantly impacts these aspects of life, whether it is knowledge enhancement or individual character development. As Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
Through this value of education essay, let’s examine some of education’s significant impacts.
Stepping stone to bright careers
One of the most important aspects of education is that it is a stepping stone to bright careers. Education disseminates knowledge. This knowledge is required to complete tasks, earn a living and sustain life. These tasks are what make a roaring career. Therefore, education is required to fulfil career goals. Let’s study this aspect with a few examples.
A psychology student will be better able to understand human behaviour in a way that others cannot understand. This is because specific education has taught the student to understand the psychology of changing human behaviour under various circumstances. Similarly, a student studying to be a computer engineer may be able to write programmes and codes. However, simultaneously, a student studying commerce may be unable to write a software programme. This is because the education meted out to the two students is different and may not cross paths.
Looking at the above examples, we can rightly say that education plays a valuable role in building fulfilling and bright careers in the future.
Education develops social skills.
Importance of education essay: When we talk of formal education, we generally mean education, where students attend school and sit in a classroom with classmates. Apart from theoretical knowledge, students are also taught to mingle and interact with others in the school. This develops social skills among the students. Learning to behave, communicate and interact with others is the development of social skills that will help students in the future.
Analytical and critical thinking
In this paragraph on the importance of education, you will see that education contributes to developing analytical and critical thinking. Students learn to think and act. They learn to apply their minds and make conclusions that could change the result of certain decisions.
Builds character
Education has a serious impact on shaping the character of a person, as education is not only theoretical but also holistic. Holistic education is that education that refers to the overall development of a person and includes physical and mental well-being along with educational enhancement. A holistic approach to education helps to build students’ character and allows them to develop their personalities.
Improves self-confidence
Education improves self-confidence. You may ask how and why? Through this importance of education essay in English, we will highlight how education enhances self-confidence.
Self-confidence and learning are part of the same circle. If you are self-confident, you can absorb more knowledge, and if you drink more knowledge, you will be more self-confident. The repetitive cycle is an integral part of a student’s life. Self-confidence or positivity assures you that you can do it or make it. Self-confidence is the key to success. Education plays a vital role in building this self-confidence, especially in a classroom setup. In a classroom, students are exposed to other students and teachers. How one is portrayed or perceived by others is what can build or break self-confidence.
The looking-glass self, first coined by Charles Cooley, describes how one’s self or social identity is dependent on one’s appearance to others. The reaction of others to your behaviour can have an impact on the self-confidence of students. Without the opinion of others, a child or student will not be able to develop self-awareness or build self-confidence.
Students’ achievements in school and college build self-confidence. It develops a sense of accomplishment. This sense of accomplishment and recognition will allow students to excel and work harder to reach their goals.
Education and law and order
Without education, people will be lawless. Through education, people learn rules and regulations that allow them to interact with one another. Education at home teaches you how to respect others. Education at a school level teaches students to obey school rules. Therefore, education is important for maintaining law and order in society. It allows you to live peacefully and co-exist with others around you.
Educated people will be absorbed in jobs and well-paying careers. Uneducated people may find it tough to secure jobs or work and may indulge in antisocial acts like robbery and dacoity for gain. Therefore, education plays a significant role when it comes to the maintenance of law and order in the world.
Education allows students to easily blend into society.
Importance of education essay: Society has different levels of participants. Each person may come from a different stratum of society. What binds these levels of society together is education. India, for example, is a diverse country with different castes, creeds and religions. Education can rub these lines of differences and allow people to interact as humans first. A student from a lower stratum of society can complete a professional educational qualification and a student from a higher stratum. Each student has equal opportunities to earn a living and prove themselves. Here, notice how education has erased the lines of differences between the students. Education promotes equality among individuals.
Eliminates poverty
Similar to the above paragraph on the importance of education, it is a known fact that education eliminates poverty by creating equal opportunities for all educated students. A student who lives below the poverty line but still receives a competitive education can earn a living sufficient to pull himself and the family out from below the poverty line. A decent education can help you earn sufficient income to fight poverty.
People living in poverty may earn enough for basic food and may not have enough money to spare for their children’s education. This is the reason abstract poverty increases in many countries. However, basic education made available for students, at least till the primary level, can go a long way in eliminating poverty. The Right to Education is a positive step initiated by the government of India towards free primary education for all and is a step towards eliminating poverty.
Studies have shown the positive impact of education in eliminating poverty in the country. One of the pillars of nation-building is education.
Education is a world connector.
In this value of education essay, we will see how education has connected the world and made it a smaller place. Through education, students travel great distances for work and studies. Students seek admission to universities abroad, connecting two countries, their cultures and traditions. Through education, we learn the history of great revolutions that have taken place and shaped the world as it is today. The history lessons have spoken volumes about the French revolution, the Moghul dynasty, the Chola empire, the Russian revolution and other great historical facts that have shaped today’s world. Without education, the past heroes would be forgotten, and the world will not mould itself for the better.
Enhances Self-reliance
Self-reliance is always preferred over-dependence on others. When you rely on others, you tend to become dependent and at the mercy or will and fancy of another. Education can make individuals self-reliant or self-dependent. When you are self-dependent and can sustain yourself, you can make your own life choices without fearing others. The government’s Make in India concept is based on this theory of self reliance.
Education serves as a source of protection.
You might wonder how education can protect you. The answer is simple. Consider for a second that you are uneducated and illiterate. Without this education, you will not be able to read signboards or instructions. Arming yourself with a primary education can help you travel places without being taken advantage of. Education can protect you during monetary transactions or high-risk deals. Education is a vital tool to arm yourself with.
Contributes to the nation building process
This importance of education essay in English will discuss how education contributes to nation-building.
An educated individual can easily secure a job and contribute to the country’s GDP. GDP or Gross Domestic Product, is an indicator of the country’s economic performance. It is a method to measure the health of the economy of a country. It is also an indicator of the goods and services produced in the country within a specific period. The more the people of a country are educated, the more jobs are secured, and the country’s GDP increases. Commerce and trade between countries will increase with an increase in the education of the youth.
Women empowerment
Indian society has had many examples of atrocities against women. Through education these atrocities have been minimized or even eliminated because of education. Social practices like Sati, dowry harassment and female infanticide have been reduced because of the impact of education in India. With women being introduced to education, women are now earning at par with men; therefore, dowry and other anti-social practices are now being eliminated from Indian society. Education of the girl child is now gaining momentum, and the Government of India has initiated several schemes to promote education for the girl child.
Global Impact
As mentioned earlier, education has brought the world closer. The deep impact of education on the world can be seen in the advancements in technology. Today, digital technology has created a global village. People are now able to communicate with each other within seconds. This advancement in technology would not have been possible without education. It is education that has led to advancements in every field. Whether in software, digital technology, aerospace, or any other field, the world is today because of the education students receive. As Nelson Mandela once said “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
Conclusion
Realizing the importance of education, the Government of India has taken several initiatives to promote education. The Right to Education is now recognised under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution as a Fundamental Right.
The Sarva Siksha Abhiyan is a flagship scheme of the Government of India to promote elementary education to all. The introduction of Mid Day meals is one of the programmes initiated by the Government to encourage children to attend school.
The importance of education cannot be undermined. Education is required in every sphere of life. A good education is a foundation for a better future.
