This is what I came up with when I did a search on the internet to find out the dictionary meaning of the word education:
“…the act or processes of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.”
When asked why I chose to homeschool my children, I cite this meaning and ask them if this is really what a majority of the schools are doing today. Everyone is entitled to their personal interpretation, and their own adaptability of what a school does for them. But I found most of the schools amply lacking in the ability to teach children life-skills and powers of reasoning and judgment, which is to become an integral part of their lives in adulthood. Added to this was the burden of too much book knowledge, which was not going to help much as they embark on their different life-paths, whatever that may be. Of course, it didn’t help any to know that what you do in life has a whole lot to do with percentages. This is despite the fact that based on research conducted, it was found that a student who passed out with a whopping 98% did not fare better in life than a student who, let’s say, procured a decent 60%. The only use of the 98% was to secure a seat in college.
So, if the education system is no longer a stepping stone to a worthwhile career or life-path, what role is the current education system playing? As parents, how many of us have actually sat down and asked this question. In fact, when was the last time anybody questioned the role of education in a child’s life.
