Education Must Encompass More Than Critical Thinking And Originality. Comment.

1209 Words5 Pages
Education must encompass more than critical thinking and originality. Comment. There is an almost fanatical belief in the value of education, that it empowers and edifies the individual in society. Education can enable us to address our economic needs, facilitates socialization process and develops a sense of social responsibility in us. Its functions hence expound its significance to individuals as well as societies. Education has far-reaching consequences, and can define a community in the following generations before time. As a result, education should encompass more than critical thinking and originality, to ensure balanced progress. However, there lies a deviation between actuality and paragon. Reality dictates that education is frequently skewed towards specific competence due to some justifications such as to fulfil a need for growth, or to ensure smooth mundane function. Due to 20th century industrialization, the reality is that education especially formal learning stresses upon dominant expertise in literacy and numeracy. Given that the purpose of formal public education had been to evolve 19th century agrarian communities into industrialised 20th century economies, the industrial model of schooling focused on churning out an efficient, useful labour force. Literacy, numeracy and conformity became the operating words then. This was an arguably appropriate response to the demands of the industrial age. So despite the occasional new stresses and strains, formal learning merely strengthened its emphasis on higher standards of excellence in technical knowledge. Higher order intellectual and social skills were perceived to be only within the purview of elites, and not a necessity to bring forcibly to the hoi polloi yet. Whilst rote-based curricula and exam centric systems met the requirements of the industrial age, it inevitably stifled critical thinking
Open Document