Education: Produce Factory Workers or Inquisitive Learners?

In this video: ‘What is Education For?’ starts off by exploring the problems of our education system. Education should prepare students for challenges but it fails all but a tiny portion of students. For instance, human ingenuity, energy, goodwill and talent of most students are suppressed in this rigid system. To address the issue, there should be a new national curriculum where certain core subjects are taught.

Firstly, students should study the subject of Capitalism. It involves breaking the conspiracy of silence surrounding our very system which makes it hard to change the bad side and defend its strengths. Furthermore learning more about our economic system helps us to deal with money, cash flow and give us useful marketing skills.

Another critical subject to learn is ourselves. We humans are paradoxical beings and are extremely prone to misunderstanding ourselves. Students would be taken through psychological or philosophical concepts which would address their neurosis or fear. On a practical side, there would be career guidance sessions for students to make better choices.

With such an institution, even adults would find the need to go to school. Schooling would be for life and is not confined within the classroom with media and arts to maximise teaching efficiency.

Albert Einstein once said, “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life thinking that it is stupid.” His view echoes the plight of many today. They conform to the rigid and homogenised thinking of formal schooling and lose their innate passions and talents. Their creativity, enthusiasm, energy are all but encouraged in this system. As a result, many feel a sense of emptiness and loss within. Even worse, some may transition into a regressive state as seen from the rising teenage suicide and depression rates over the years.

Of course, it is pointless to just critic the system. There should be ways proposed to build upon or even reform the current curriculum. I believe that incorporating lessons for students to learn more about themselves would prove useful and necessary. Many today are plagued by neurosis and a limited sense of purpose in life. These useful tips and sessions would grant students the inner compass to pave their own paths in life with much confidence. It would transform from mere sessions focused on superficial issues into informative avenues that cultivates the urge for self introspection on one’s values, beliefs, fears and struggles. 

Then, students would not feel so lost. They would begin to contextualise the greater purpose and need for education. It is to give them the qualifications to access the next stage of their life. They would not be bugged down by the present obstacles but see the purpose of struggling for a more grandiose goal. 

Our education system prepares youths for the future. Do you agree?

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