“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” These are the words Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, uttered to make the people realize the importance of education to every person living and breathing in all parts of the world regardless of their social statuses.
Education is holistic in a way that it injects knowledge to the minds, touches the hearts, and crafts the hands and the whole body of the learners. It is the source of all the ways of surviving, living, interacting, and finding the answers and reasons why people exist. Even before the early and ancient philosophers, education has embraced mankind. We believe that the survival of men began when they discovered fire and weapons and when they hunted their prey for food. Subconsciously, it was an education they sought to unravel the mysteries that lie beyond the past and present.
Many scholars expanded education applying theories and laws as well as their philosophies and beliefs. In history, different countries established their own academies and implemented varied styles, methodologies, and pedagogies they thought will be best for their people. However, it was only limited to men as they were so sure that women’s roles were to stay at the house, to take care of their children and to do household chores. A feminine revolution was brought to lands to attain equality and sensitivity among sexes and to eliminate stereotyping. Female advocates successfully achieved the goals they plotted, therefore, reaching peace and ensuring equilibrium.
Education is very powerful in a sense that it is sometimes used in devastating all the lives and wonders on Earth. How? Without education, there will be no destructive armaments used in wars. Without education, there will be no rich and poor. Without education, there will be no pollution. Without education, we also do not know what will happen.
Many of us are divided due to religions and traditions. But because we share the same world, we are now living in a global village. What exactly does it mean? A global village means all countries of the world are thought of as being closely connected by modern communications and trade – all citizens of a global village should not ignore obligations to others. This is how education is enhanced and expanded. Now, we can study abroad. We can access to the modern facilities other countries offer, the same on how foreigners want to explore our own system. Education now is not neglected. Instead, it is given more importance than ever.
We cannot deny the fact that we still face existing predicaments regarding our educational systems. At least, there is help lent by other hands when we need it. In return, we should always give back what we received.
By: GINA LOU A. ABALOS |Teacher II |Cupang Elementary School|Balanga, Bataan
