Earning Degrees Does Not Make One Educated - By: Michael Rey

From as long as we know of human civilization, people looking to improve their skills and technical expertise went to trade schools and learned in the apprentice method. The modern method of such technical training is provided by vocational courses, which also requires practical training in the industry for a year or two.
In traditional crafts like carpentry, painting, blacksmith and masonry – the technical skill development and training is far more medieval. A person learns at the whim and fancy of a senior person. He works under the senior till the time he is able to develop his skills.

Unlike technical skill development, education has always meant renaissance. Education existed even before 2000 years. Before Alexander, another Greek Xenophon in 3rd Century BC wrote the book ‘The Education of Cyrus”, outlining the training of Prince of Persia. Greek civilization also had formal syllabus for education with focus on grammar, communication and logic. Similarly, Chanakya, the person behind the formation of India’s first welfare nation outlined the process of education for the princes, in order to make them capable of handling the challenges of administering the kingdom.

Leaving kings and emperors aside, the focus of education was always to make the person grow to be able to look beyond superstitions, prevailing practices, rituals and established ways of thinking. Even Nobel prizes are awarded not for the most learned person on the subject but to the person who advances the subject further with new insights. Einstein was a great scientist as well as a humanist. During visits to Asia, Einstein refused to travel in rickshaws, feeling that it would be degrading the person pulling him along.

Almost all civilizations in the world have gone through “Dark Ages” with no progress in human civilization. It was the renaissance of Europe that created foundation for the past growth in civilization.

Even Japan went through a non-violent renaissance called the ‘Meiji revolution’ before it became a world power in technology, military and business. You could even term the Indian freedom struggle as education given by many leaders with Mahatma Mohandas being the most important one.

Having limited perspective and thinking only about your needs is a mercenary way of thinking. A mercenary is not a honorable person, since he does short-term assignments for the highest bidder. A soldier on the other hand, connects with the needs of his country and does things for his country. Soldiers are respected and mercenaries are hated.

Here, we are going with a limited view of education - education is not a degree and a degree does not give education. Education broadens your horizon to be able to connect meaningfully and positively with the society and its institutions. It helps you to be a supporter and enabler of all good things that happen in your immediate society.

About the Author

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