Education as a Valuable Asset - Assignment Example

Education as a Valuable Asset Everyone in the universe strives to attain a successful and comfortable life. Most educatorshave fought for education by stressing on its important in life. Different people may define education in different ways based on their perception of education. Education is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, preparing oneself and others intellectually for a mature way of life, and developing powers of reasoning. Moreover, education is defined as the process of acquiring specific skills and knowledge for a given profession ("Education | Define Education at Dictionary.com."). Still others refer to it as a form of schooling. Education sets a cornerstone for succeeding in life. Education equips learners with relevant knowledge, skills and experience that are crucial for solving problems in their societies and their life. Human beings would not be effective in performing tasks requiring professional knowledge without education. People who have undergone the relevant education programs enjoy improved living standards than those who do not have education The author identifies the necessity of education and securing employment in the modern era regarding the characterized imagination of events of the year 2033. Within the present, employers will not be turning away candidates for the job positions they are seeking (Ferguson, 68). Thus, the author proposes the three critical elements that should be instituted into academic systems to catapult the American education: these are leadership, communication, teachers, and principles. These elements of the system ensure academic prosperity since they help in planning, coordinating and executing the actual curriculum. There are varieties of verses in the bible that strongly support education. The bible, however, does not give a direct explanation of the importance of education and its corresponding importance in life. Instead, it uses the components of education from its definition to bring out its importance and ties to the success in life. For example, Solomon says that, “of making many books there is no end, and much wearies the body” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). This verse is not against education because in combination with other verses it stresses the fact that education is very essential in someone’s life. The bible in itself presents a lot of learning for Christians. The bible was written with the aim of providing learning to the human society of the time it was written and for future generations. Parents are commanded to nurture their children in the Lord (KJV, Ephesians 6:4). Thus, it is very clear that there is more than just knowledge it encourages an individual to read hard and at the same time acknowledge God. God encourages education. The point is further stressed by Corinthians where childish speaking and reasoning should be done away with when one is mature (KJV Corinthians 13: 11). Education takes place in an individual’s life in a gradual process that normally takes place in sequences. However, a person who is getting educated should be able to apply the knowledge acquired to succeed in life ("BIBLE VERSES ABOUT EDUCATION"). If a person does not apply the knowledge, then education would not have any relevant use. The core function of education is to transform a human being into an integrated individual that is more intelligent. Intelligence does not depend on the number of degrees that a person has neither is it mere information that is acquired through reading different books by various authors. Education enables an individual to perceive the essentials in life and make meaningful decisions that are for their own good, as well as that of the society. Thus, education may be considered a tool that helps break national as well as social barriers that bar one from attaining their goals in life. Jesus himself had to put himself in the feet of humankind. Moreover, education was part of the integration process. Jesus intended people to come together as they sought the Kingdom of Heaven. Educating them would make the integration process easier than it would be without education ("The Social Benefits of Education."). Education is significance in numerous ways. Firstly, Education helps individuals to overcome superstitions. Education depicts the in-depth understanding of t superstitions as baseless, useless and has negative effect in an individual’s life hence enabling a person to make informed decisions, which are far much different from the illiterate people who hold to certain superstitious beliefs. These beliefs have been the downfall of so many people with some fearing to try a new course (Strauss par. 6). With education, an individual can be aware of the best ways to contest the superstitious beliefs held by the society and prosper. Education does this through logic and reason it imparts into a person. The person can then think critically and creatively to evade the possible criticisms and prosper. A good example of this is a young girl who ends up being a prosperous engineer after doing science course that is believed to be a man’s course. Some religions hold the belief that health is given by supreme beings thus opt not to seek medications in hospitals. Education helps break such beliefs that hinder development of one’s life. The modern society is characterized by several beliefs, most of which have implications on the development process ("The Social Benefits of Education."). The role of education is to help people find a clear distinction between these beliefs and the development process. The times in the world keep changing. Invented technologies are drastically changing day in day out. Anybody who does not want to lag behind the world must be informed about the changes that are taking place in the first moving world. Therefore, education presents a fair ground where an individual can seek and acquire knowledge of the latest technologies in the market and the possible applications. An educated person for instance, will be able to use the internet as a resource and a gift of being informed about what happens in their environment. The internet presents a place of learning for the literate (Kidai par.8). They can use the vast information to innovate things that may not be applicable in their areas thus making life easier. The armed forces too must educate their troops because the army centers have been of great help in the invention. For instance, the American army is believed to have the best army in the world simply by the fact that the government has spent too much in the form of investing in their education. Most of the innovations that come from such centers have been integrated with other places and have helped save the lives of several people ("Education"). According to Ferguson, the US students may start envying their cross-border peers if they achieve stronger academic knowledge and abilities for innovation, communication, and collaboration (Ferguson, 68). November 16 to 22 marks the American education week. Since 1921, the week has been observed. The reason this is so is simply because of the National Education Association and the American Legion placed resolutions that were aimed at emancipating the public about the importance of education. This week presents Americans with the opportunity to celebrate the public education as well as honor persons that made as well as those still making difference in ensuring that each child is accorded quality education. In the recent education week president, Obama stressed on the importance of education stating that it strengthens the nation’s core values and the future of Americans through issuing of a proclamation (Thompson). Thus, “Education has been central to ensuring opportunity and to instilling in all our citizens the defining American values of freedom, equality, and respect for oneself and one another” (Thompson). It is clear that the education transforms a person’s life and thus the ultimate success of the whole nation. The nations of the world cannot succeed in the absence of education. This is because education shades light among the citizens concerning what should be done, how it should be done and when it should be done. Autonomy is also measured in terms of education. It is argued that if one wants to see the world as a just and fair place where opportunities equally present themselves to any individual, then education makes that possible. Social classes and gender parity is brought in by the difference in the levels of education of people. For that matter, when one wants to come off from one social class to the other, they can use education as the tool that catapults them to the next level. If a large population of the whole world was educated then the rate of unemployment would have been so low ("Education & Success, University of Cincinnati"). It opens the whole world of opportunities for the poor so that through it they can acquire knowledge and experience in a given field thus end up having well-paying jobs. The world is very much revolutionized, and human capital demand is ever increasing. To supplement the gaps in human capital individuals need to gain knowledge and then experience in the field (Strauss par. 6). For instance, education has made it possible to venture into a given career where one has a crime of passion. Employers are also going after people who are educated. This creates a boundary between the illiterate and the educated (Kidai par.4) Financial success, therefore, is tied to money. On the same note, education inculcates principles of saving into an individual. Through this, the person can gain financial independence and be able to live their dream. Additionally, good social life is also associated with financial independence that only comes through education. A learned person can evaluate the best financial incentives offered with a given bank and explore it to their advantage (Strauss par. 6). Additionally, most of the people who are educated can make informed financial decisions when faced with the task of investing into a business or idea. Educated people can explore various ways of wealth creation and thus financial success ("Benefits of distance education | Study life balance | Study by Distance | Charles Sturt University"). For instance, with education one can follow and understand the stock market and be able to save accordingly and invest in it. Education also guards individuals against being duped or conned since they can make a critical evaluation to claims as well as proposals before taking any step (Kidai, 8) In matters of security, education has been of great help in creating peace among communities, countries, and individuals. Most of the non-governmental organizations, as well as government agencies, have used education to create awareness of the need for peace. For instance, when two parties are at war, an arbitrator can come in between and use their knowledge to foster peace between them. On the contrary, uneducated people would use dubious ways to solve conflicts thus creating even more anarchy. When peace is restored in the world then, there is a great opportunity to prosper in every field such as medicine, agriculture, and music among others. Education has also made it for individuals to come up with better technologies that aid in the fighting of crime. This helps people stay in peace and therefore focus their energy on building themselves as well as the nation (Kidai par.3) High literacy rates have made countries such as Japan, USA and Australia among others competes favorably in the global markets. The countries have higher per capita income since a huge population of their citizens is educated. With this come the opportunities to a better life through invention, better business, and peace. Compared to underdeveloped nations that are still languishing in poverty, the countries are giants of developments and centers for benchmark by other nations. The educated population can set policies that incorporate all sectors of the economy, as well as the social context of the nation. For instance, America is believed to have the best doctors based on its system of education that ensures rigorous training for the doctors (“Importance of Education. Lifelong Learning-a Mormon Value | Mormon.org.”). Success in life can be measured by the social setting of an individual. Education helps a family to stick together and know the morals that guard a family. For instance, learned parents can have better parenting habits compared to the illiterate one. Therefore, education helps in attaining personal success at the family level for any parent. Personal success basis enables parents to inculcate good morals into their children who are the future generation. Educated parents foster better ways of dealing with problems. They undertake this amicably in a way that empowers children ("The Social Benefits of Education"). Most governments have invested so much in education being that it is the only channel for economic growth of their countries. Education is used as a tool to reinforce policies that are developed, into practice. For example, when a referendum is held the people are educated about the advantages as well as disadvantages of accepting or opposing the move. The choice of the people depends on the discretion of the education that they acquired. Education also helps governments solve the dilemma of resource allocation in a peaceful manner. The government can formulate the policies and enforce them as laws in the form of the constitution. Strict adherence to the constitution makes one a loyal citizen. If the law is well followed then the people can shift their focus into other activities that empower them ("Education | The Importance of Education"). Socially, education plays a critical role in the development of an individual since it enlightens people about their cultures. This not only helps one in staying at peace with their neighbors, work or classmates but also creates a channel for diversification. Amicable interrelation among individuals enhances understanding of one another that coexist in the differences channel of life. Good communication skills are fundamental if an individual gets a fine education about language. Thus, it is capable of helping in passing information as well as conflict resolution among foes ("The Social Benefits of Education"). It is possible to learn new languages curtsey of education due to the availability of online dictionaries and translators, as well as multimedia. Majority of learned personalities normally appreciate the culture of people from different backgrounds. Additionally, education has made it possible to travel all over the world as well as do business. An individual can use the opportunity they have to be able to conduct business in a formal way (" Education | The Importance of Education"). Business management process is enhanced by the challenges that are presented in the course of learning. Education has a variety of roles that forms the link between it and success in life. Success in life is not measured by the level of education, but instead with the social, economic and cultural impacts that are observed on an individual. People should strive to acquire knowledge since even the bible supports that. Jesus himself is shown to take the form of humankind and by virtue of having disciples. He was able to show that education is a continuing process that must be passed from one generation to the other. Therefore, people should invest heavily in education if they want to succeed in life. At the same time, the education should be passed from one generation to the other. Coupled with the assurance from great investors and politicians that education is a great investment, there is every reason an individual needs to acquire education in whichever the way possible. Works Cited "Benefits of distance education | Study life balance | Study by Distance | Charles Sturt University." Home - Charles Sturt University. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 November 2014. http://www.csu.edu.au/distance-education/study-life-balance/benefits-of-distance-education "BIBLE VERSES ABOUT EDUCATION." OFFICIAL KING JAMES BIBLE ONLINE: AUTHORIZED KING JAMES VERSION (KJV). N.p., n.d. Web. 19 November 2014. http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Education/ "Education & Success, University of Cincinnati." University of Cincinnati. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 November 2014. http://www.ucclermont.edu/about/swoeoc/edu_success.html "Education | Define Education at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 November 2014. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/education "Education | The Importance of Education." Education | Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 November 2014. http://www.education.co.za/the-importance-of-education "Importance of Education. Lifelong Learning-a Mormon Value | Mormon.org." mormon.org. Oct.2013. Web. 19 November 2014. http://www.mormon.org/values/learning Kidai, Anam. "Top 15 Reasons why Education is Extremely Important." Listovative.com. July 2014. Web. 19 November 2014. < http://listovative.com/top-15-reasons-why-education-is-important/> "The Social Benefits of Education." The University of Michigan Press. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 November 2014 https://www.press.umich.edu/15129/social_benefits_of_education Ferguson, Maria. "When the (Education) Revolution Comes…." Phi Delta Kappan. Sage Journals, Oct. 2013. Web. 19 November 2014. http://pdk.sagepub.com/content/95/2/68.abstract Strauss, Steve. "The Connection Between Education, Income Inequality, and Unemployment | Steven Strauss." The Huffington Post.US Census Bureau. 11 Feb. 2011. Web. 19 November 2014. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-strauss/the-connection-between-ed_b_1066401.html Thompson, Cliff H. "MAILBAG: American Education Week: Sauk Prairie Eagle." Wiscnews.com. 17 November 2014. Web. 19 November 2014. http://www.wiscnews.com/saukprairieeagle/news/opinion/mailbag/article_ad6446e0 967b-55a9-8e54-1a3615de49ac.html Read More