WHAT DOES IT
MEAN TO EDUCATE…..
-Bro.
Manoj, sdb
“When planning for a year, sow corn. When planning
for a decade, plant trees. And when planning for life, educate a child.”
What
do we mean by education? Is it filling up the mind of a child with humpty
number of information? Is it just learning languages and subjects? Is it just
memorizing the data and parroting the lessons? What is the goal of education?
Is it to become a professional figure in the society? Is it a means to earn
money and wealth? These are the
questions to be asked and understood. Recently I made a survey on education in
St. Philomena Convent High School, Nasik. The teachers’ and the students’
understanding of education is really interesting. There is a goal and there are means or ways through which we
achieve the goal. They see Overall
development as goal of human being, and education as a powerful weapon to
achieve this great goal. Education is not restricted just to the intellectual
growth alone but be extended to all physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual,
social and human development of human person. Education helps one to behave
humanly and responsibly, and think powerfully. It teaches one to solve
problems, and to face the difficulties courageously in a right manner. Learning
does not mean learning just the subjects like science, mathematic and language
only but learning from everything and everybody. It is an unending process.
Education also becomes a means of successful future and growth in one’s
professions. More over education is a
process of learning rather than a means of earning.
In
15th century AD there was well known educationist namely Gargantuan. The way he was
educated, and the type of educational system which he insisted on really is
shocking. Gargantuan, as a boy, was compelled to study. He was to get up in early
morning at 4 a.m., to read the scripture, while brushing he was to study the
stars and compare them with what he had seen the previous night. While dressing,
he had to recall the lessons learnt on the previous day. Then he had to study
for three hours and played some games during which he had to discuss his
lessons with his companion. He had breakfast at ten o’clock during which a book
will be read to him and he had discuss
about what was being read and make comments on the bread or butter or
wine and other articles on the table. Then for another three hours he went over
his morning lesson through the hearing of the book read to him and practiced
writing. He had to learn arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music, etc. In the
afternoon when he went to school for some physical exercises and on the way
back he was observe the trees, birds, mountains, animals, plants and recall
what was written about them. On the rainy days he was made to learn carpentry,
sculpture and other occupations. While waiting for the supper he had to recall
that day’s lesson and while supper too a book will be read to him. And finally,
before going to bed, he was taken to study the sky, and then made to
recapitulate everything learned in the course of day. That is how he learnt. He in turn wrote
letter to his son Pantagruel: “You should learn Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Arabic
perfectly. There should not be any tree, bird, mountain, sea, country, forest
or flower about which you don’t know”. While reading of such funny part of his
life we realize that this gigantic way of education is not meant for the
ordinary persons like you and me. His education was entirely based on gathering
information rather than teaching the students to live joyfully, peacefully,
lovingly and socially. Is it what we mean by education?
On the other hand, Michel De Montaigne (1533-1592) is
another great personality of the next century who became disgusted with this type
of education and found no meaning in it. Therefore, he came up with another
educational theory completely contradicting to that. He lacked scientific
interest and was critical to the old method of learning. For him human joy,
love and peace are more important than knowledge. Therefore education is not
about knowledge which just collects information and does not solve human
problems but all about wisdom which
will lead us to love the humanity. Language is useless if it does not have
concern for humanity. Knowledge is not acquired but a natural possession and a
habit. We should teach children not just through words but by our very example
and deeds for, action speaks louder than words. Education should aim at not just
knowledge but wisdom, the over all development of the human person. He also
said: 1. there is no just one method of teaching. According to each student’s
capacity we should use different methods. 2. Teachers should never handle
punishments, for punishments will ruin the interest of the children in
studying. 3. The best method to teach the boy is not teaching him what has been
already told but to help him to think independently and creatively. 4. The
proper beginning of education should be made through intercourse with one’s
fellowmen. Therefore, the students must be exposed to other cultures, languages
and countries too so that they don’t become narrow minded. It also frees him
from being self centered.
Montaigne’s view on education reminds me of another
great personality for whom education was to aim at wisdom and love and not just
pure knowledge, who wrote to the teacher of his son saying, “Educate my
child such that he gladly accepts victory and defeat equally in life. He should
understand that a dollar earned by hard work is more than five pounds. Tell him
to be ashamed of the tears that fall on beings unsuccessful. Also tell him to
have a strong faith in himself even if the whole world is against him. He
should not become just another man in the crowd. If possible teach him how to
laugh at the time of misery and rise above the feelings of happiness and
sorrow. Give him courage to be patient and teach him patient for bravery. Teach
him the lesson of taking pride in his own deeds; then only he will be able to
believe in the greatness of humility.” These are the words of Abraham
Lincoln. And that is what a true
education is all about.
