It is often said that,
'Knowledge is power'. Although there has always been a debate on this matter,
the importance of education cannot be denied. So let us understand why education
is important to us.
Education helps us with many things, but most importantly, it empowers an
individual to think, question, and see beyond the obvious. Human beings are born
with a natural tendency to question. Education is the best way to satiate our
curiosity, without extinguishing the burning desire to learn and explore more.
Here are a few 'obvious' reasons for educating oneself.
Education broadens our horizon and gives us a better understanding of the world
around us and how things work.
The world needs education, since it is the basis of a civilized, structured
society.
Education helps people to think rationally and avoid illusions in life.
Education reduces social and economic disparity, allowing progress to be shared
equally.
It gives scope for technical advancements in fields of science and technology.
Studies indicate that educated people have longer life expectancies. They tend
to lead a healthier lifestyle by exercising more and playing more sports. Most
of them understand the implications of diet and lifestyle on their health,
enabling them to make healthy choices.
On an average, educated people have more meaningful and interesting jobs than
those held by uneducated people. They are usually in a position to make
decisions at work. This results in higher job satisfaction which leads to a
better quality of life.
Educated people are found to have higher self-esteem. Their lives are mostly
well-planned, and have a definite direction. They have better problem-solving
skills and are consequently better equipped to handle everyday decisions.
Children of educated parents have access to better education facilities. These
children have a higher cognitive development as compared to children of
uneducated parents.
Educated people are better positioned to contribute positively to society, and
even towards the environment, as they understand the implications of their
choices and actions.
In developing countries, education is viewed as means to alleviate poverty and
engineer social change. It isn't a magic pill for solving all the problems. But
it can surely be a ladder to climb out of poverty, exclusion, ignorance,
oppression, and war.
One may turn back the pages of history and reexamine primitive societies and
their barbaric lives. It is the best way to realize the need of education. Many
ineffective, modern educational systems have proved successful in opening
people's eyes, but they have closed people's minds. It is very important to
analyze needs and improvise the support system to ensure a better future for
forthcoming generations. Its purpose should be to empower mind and soul, to
achieve its full potential. Whether our systems achieve or hinder that purpose
is another discussion.