What do we want from education in school?

What is the purpose of education?

Consider the following passages quoted from the book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Dr Cialdini regarding education proceeding in the standard classroom that could apply to nearly any public school in the United States:

In general, here is how it works: The teacher stands in front of the class and asks a question. Six to ten children strain in their seats and wave their hands in the teacher’s face, eager to be called in and show how smart they are. Several others sit quietly with eyes averted, trying to become invisible. When the teacher calls on one child, you see looks of disappointment and dismay on the faces of the eager students, who missed a chance to get the teacher’s approval; and you will see relief on the faces of the others who didn’t know the answer…. This game is fiercely competitive and the stakes are high, because the kids are competing for the love and approval of one of the two or three most important people in their world.

                Further, this teaching process guarantees that the children will not learn to like and understand each other. Conjure up your own experience. If you knew the right answer and the teacher called on someone else, you probably hoped that he or she would make a mistake so that you would have a chance to display your knowledge. If you were called on and failed, or if you didn’t even raise your hand to compete, you probably envied and resented your classmates who knew the answer. Children who fail in this system become jealous and resentful of the successes, putting them down as teacher’s pets or even resorting to violence against them in the school yard. The successful students, for their part, often hold the unsuccessful children in contempt, calling them “dumb” or “stupid”.

                This competitive process does not encourage anyone to look benevolently and happily upon his fellow students.

What kind of individuals are we trying to raise here? Are we trying to educate our children to be competitive individuals that only care about winning? Is this how humanity works?

Napoleon Hill states, “An educated man is not, necessarily, one who has an abundance of general or specialized knowledge. An educated man is one who has so developed the faculties of his mind that he may acquire anything he wants, or its equivalent, without violating the rights of others.”

While having knowledge is important, we all agree that having good characters are even more important. The most successful people have always been the ones who care for others, always add value and bring progress to the society. The primary focus of education whether in school or at home, should be to bring out the best of an individual. The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.

This is why spiritual education must be given to a child at a very young age. Children need to be taught of the heavenly attributes and to love their fellow mankind. Cooperation will bring greater progress to everybody than competition.