I have recently become involved in an educational debate within the RSA. Education is a pretty important subject one might think, although one could be excused for agreeing with GK Chesterton’s observation: "The chief thing about the subject of education is that it is not a subject at all. There is no such thing as education. The thing is merely a loose phrase for the passing on to others of whatever truth or virtue we happen to have ourselves". One could be excused, perhaps, precisely because education has become just such a football that is passed on – the inanities that governments, authorities and, yes, schools get away with in the name of education (education, education… blah, blah) are truly mind-numbing.
Chesterton went on to observe: "It is typical of our time that the more doubtful we are about the value of philosophy, the more certain we are about the value of education. That is to say, the more doubtful we are about whether we have any truth, the more certain we are (apparently) that we can teach it to children."
As appalling as exam boards are in their failure to deliver results on time, the bigger issue is: what exactly is the purpose of education? If we go back to the etymology of the word, it means to lead. Leading implies guidance and motivation, two powerful ideas.
For me the purpose of education is to enable the learner to discover (through guidance and motivation) who they were born to be in order that in knowing who they are they can do what they were born to do.
Objectives that follow from this include:
To enable the learner to be able to manage their self successfully (so they can enjoy life)
– physically
– emotionally
– intellectually – including, to be self-aware
– artistically and creatively – to be able to express their self
– spiritually
To enable the learner to be able to operate interpersonal relationships successfully
To enable the learner to be able to handle, understand, use and save money
In short I want an education which goes to the root of being and in doing so becomes entirely practical. To go to the root of being is a process of discovery that no National Curriculum is ever going to get remotely near.
And, if we are going to be prescriptive and limiting, at least make the prescriptions useful: e.g. every child should be taught to meditate for 15 minutes a day and should experience diaphragmatic breathing as core! This would be far more useful than most of the atomistic and fragmented information parading as essential knowledge.
What do you think the purpose of education is?
James
The Mapping Motivation Series 
I think there are two questions here: Firstly, does the current mode of education hold any merit? And secondly, how can we better pass on to children and young adults the wisdom, truths and confidence to question that we (think we) have?
Obviously, neither is a simple question and a long and enjoyable debate could be had around it.
For now though, and to answer your question James, I believe the purpose of education is to perpetuate the current forms of society; government; industry and international relations. Does this have value? Yes, I believe it does. However, if you were to ask whether this method represents the totality of valuable education, as the UK’s current education system seems to suggest, then clearly the answer is a resounding no. We talk so much of wanting to employ or vote for well-rounded people and yet we insist on educating them one-dimensionally – from the neck up!
Ken Robinson also has much to say on this – I heartily recommend his TED talk posted at http://www.ted.com/talks.
Neil
PS – enjoying the blog. Do keep it up!
LikeLike