What does it mean to educate..

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 15^th 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.