Education the Foundation of Society

 “Education is more than a luxury; it’s the responsibility that society owes to itself” – Robin Cook

“Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.”- G.K. Chesterton

Society and education are bedmates. Since time in memorial, society and education had rub shoulders with each other to augment the progressive development of humanity. And for that matter, the role of education in the society can never be underestimated. I will like to touch on three thematic areas which make education the foundation of society.

Firstly, I would personally say am very passionate about this peculiar topic as a professional teacher graduated from the University and doing a National service in one of the hinterland areas in my country.

I believe you will side with me that, education begins at home?

Educated parents are likely to train their wards or children in a more healthy and educated lifestyle. An educated pregnant woman will see to her pre and antenatal care, immunization and the education of their children. Hence, these form a strong foundation for the child’s development whilst the illiterate may have a lukewarm attitude towards this critical task as they groom the future leaders of the society.

Educated parents create an interactive atmosphere for their children’s social and academic development. 

This helps the parents to identify and enhance the strengths or competencies of the child. This then helps the child as he grows to understand him or herself better and find ways to pursue their passion or latent talent. This creates maximum significance in innovation and technology which helps in building a strong foundation and future for the society.

Common sense also suggests that a child who develops well physically, mentally, socially and emotionally during the early years are more likely to be a happy and productive member of society than who does not.

Secondly, the educational system which offers the ambiance in laying the brick for our future leaders and the future of the society shouldn’t be compromised.

As we strive to achieve the millennium development goal 2 (Universal primary education) through governments educational policies such as Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE). This policy is to erase the school fees paying system in order to help the poor who can’t afford to pay school fees also to send their wards to school.

In my country and other countries like Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania and others who are implementing this policy has seen a 100 percent increase in the number on roll in the classroom. In my school, the number on roll for basic 1 is 97 pupils.

Although this policy is helping, let’s ask ourselves, how will the student-teacher ratio be like?  And I believe that, standard of quality education remains a challenge.

You will side with me that, people doesn’t value free things! Their parents have been psychologically affected by this policy, as they believe everything about their ward’s education should be borne by the government. 

However, there are some petty items the pupil will need in the classroom and the parent should be able to provide them for the child without waiting on the overburdened government to provide at an appropriate time. Such of these items are books, pencils, slates and crayons.

NGO’s, social clubs and other community development agencies are to support governments in the stead it is lacking like providing infrastructure, educational resources and other ways to motivate the teacher. For re-engineering education is not enough, we must participate in re-engineering the way education is re-engineered.

I also urge governments not to politicize issues relating to education. But to inject more of its resources and enhance the vocational and technical institutions to serve those who were not able to make it through the formal educational system.

Education it’s the life-blood of the society and it should be treated with much attention and concentration through robust strategies and a concrete long-term vision towards solidifying the backbone and future of the society.

Lastly, is about the educated individuals who hold the society. “When asked how superior the educated is to the uneducated. Aristotle answered, as the living is to the dead”. ~ Diogenes Cornelius

The educated individuals fill up the various occupations like Architects, teachers, doctors, pastors, nurses, entrepreneurs, leaders etc. These people cast the anchor of the society by steering its affairs for the socio economic development of the society and the nation as a whole.

Educated individuals understand themselves, their culture, acquire occupations, vote, and volunteer, raise healthier, better educated children and are likely to question the discrepancies and support policies of the government which aids the society to achieve financial stability. They also observe the rights and participate in the building of the socio-economic agenda of the society and the country as a whole.

We can still say proudly that, as education is the foundation of society, is like the breath of the human, the light in the darkness, the life among the dead, the engine of the vehicle and the future of the nation.

Then I ask, how are we preparing ourselves and for that matter our society for an improving future?

“Make me the master of education and I undertake to change the world”. ~ Gottfried Wilhelm.