Dr Palto Datta
The current world is quite different, an unfamiliar, most ambiguous and very scary too. It is different because here, public life, social systems, social thought, and collective consciousness seem to be heading in opposite directions. And this is why the world appears unfamiliar and unusual to those who are used to walking on the right path with integrity, who hold, cherish, and follow the idea of aesthetics in their hearts and minds as they walk through life. And scary? In this era of globalisation, technological advancement and pervasive social media in the name of so-called democracy, freedom of speech and human rights, the world is walking on an unstable, uncertain and even abusive path. Everyone appears to be competing for shortcuts, and education has now become unimportant to many. The true purpose of education has changed. The concept of character and integrity has disappeared.
Most students want a degree or certificate without studying seriously. Many societies consider obtaining higher education or certificates as a symbol of success in life. If we can achieve these, life will become easier. The path of employment will be open. So, the question arises, should these degrees or certificates be used as proof of a person’s true success or as proof of being a healthy, honest person? If education is just a piece of paper, can it be real education? In many societies, it is observed that even highly educated people use their education and skills to harm society and achieve their personal interests. There are countless people who, despite having higher education, constantly corrupt society by misusing their education and talent for their own interests. Is there any room for considering them as truly educated or moral, conscientious and beneficial to society? So, we should understand that obtaining a certificate is not the primary purpose of education; true education helps people become humble, benevolent, restrained, patient, and have character. Education equips people with noble and aesthetic values.
Having been an educator for almost three decades in the UK, I have witnessed that many students enter education only to earn a certificate. Many of them believe that the degree they will gain will only help them get a job or increase their social status. They think that this certificate or degree will in no way lead to depth in their lives, humanity, or spiritual development. Many students even believe that the certificate they have obtained is a commodity they can sell to gain opportunities in life. This makes me deeply think. Does education really bring any hidden purpose to their lives? Or are most students just studying to achieve a social standard? Yet in our society, education can be the power that leads not only to external success but also to the inner development and awakening of human values.
Education was once a path to self-evaluation, thought, culture, and spiritual development. But in modern society, its meaning has changed somewhat. Nowadays, many see education as just a means to obtain a certificate that gives them an opportunity in life. However, is education really just for obtaining a certificate? Or is there a deeper and greater purpose behind it? When the question comes to the fore, it forces us to change our thinking and perspective. If education is limited to just a certificate, it narrows the path of our human and spiritual development. The real purpose of education is to awaken a person’s inner consciousness and guide them towards new thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. Acquiring education to earn a certificate or degree is like pursuing a selfish goal. But education is not just the collection of information, but a process that flows deep into the human mind, leading him towards self-identity, kindness, justice, an honest life, and human values. The world-famous philosopher Socrates once said, “All I know is that I know nothing.” His comment inspires us to rethink our view of education. According to him, proper education is not limited to mere knowledge, but to finding the true purpose of life through self-analysis. From this perspective, education becomes a continuous search, not just a process of acquiring knowledge but a path to answering the fundamental questions of life. Working towards humanity and improving people’s lives to obtain equity and justice is what education means to us. Education, which is meant to enhance and enrich people’s lives, is as liberating and empowering as one’s mind working towards the common good.
Rabindranath Tagore viewed education as an act of humanity. He believed that ”Education is the power of liberation and strength of the human heart.” To Tagore, education is the ongoing process of learning grounded in mindfulness and reflection, ennobling and enriching each moment of living. It is his view that education, in the broadest sense, is needed to foster the inner, spiritual and human evolution of the individual. Tagore eloquently expresses the justice, love and compassion that real education is to foster within the individual. In a number of countries, a degree is seen as the essential passport to employment, and a large part of the education system is designed and implemented to meet that objective. Such education, it can be argued, addresses the human dimension very superficially.
Education cannot be confined to individual development or societal progress. Education must advance the individual at all levels of consciousness, benefiting the world and transforming it into a place of true beauty and order. If education helps the individual progress in self-analysis, true human values, and spirituality, it can never become a commodity, because it is meant to help the world. Education cannot be confined to societal respects and norms. A degree or higher education does not mean a person becomes wise. It does not mean the person possesses true virtue, reliability, and morals. There are many cases in which higher education has been used to exploit society, and in which people have used education to introduce socially regressive norms.
Education should educate the whole person, leading towards becoming humane, moral, and virtuous. The actual anchors of education should include deep values such as life, self-respect, and human dignity. Education and self-restraint should make a person socially responsible and a real asset to society. An educated person should not become a social enemy. Real education should make a person socially responsible, virtuous and excellent. A civilised, just, and virtuous society depends on an education that integrates human values, ethics, and the right self-restraint. Education should not end with individual achievement. The spiral of individual accomplishments needs to be updated to include human development and real education, ethical, integrated self-restraint, and social virtues.
In contemporary society, we must rethink the significance of education. Most people view education as a means of improving one’s economic and social status, which, in itself, defies the premise of education. The true nature of education lies in its capacity to empower people with knowledge, wisdom, virtues, and ethical values. Education can change one’s thought patterns, feelings, and behaviours over time. In this complex society, the need for authentic education is even higher. The objective of our education system must shift to nurturing integrity and human values in individuals. The ultimate pursuit of education should not be confined to the attainment of a degree, but rather to the transformational impact education has on the nation’s societal, cultural, and moral fabric. Education is the only means through which individuals and society can recognise a sense of responsibility and accountability. Every society needs to appreciate and understand the importance of education and continue to build in the dimensions of humanity, ethics, and the spirit, contributing to the formation of an ethically sound and developed society.
The writer is an educator, author, and researcher
