Many people believe that having a degree is the ultimate goal of education. They think that a degree is a proof of their knowledge, skills and abilities. They also think that a degree will guarantee them a good job, a high salary and a successful career. But is this really true? Is a degree just a piece of paper, or does it reflect the true education of a person?
What is True Education?
True education is not just about acquiring information and memorizing facts. True education is about developing the whole person: intellectually, emotionally, socially and morally. True education is about learning how to think critically, creatively and ethically. True education is about learning how to communicate effectively, collaborate with others and solve problems. True education is about learning how to adapt to changing situations, cope with challenges and overcome difficulties. True education is about learning how to live a meaningful, fulfilling and responsible life.
True education is also seen in behavior. Behavior is the manifestation of what a person has learned, understood and internalized. Behavior shows the values, attitudes and habits that a person has formed through education. Behavior reveals the character, personality and identity of a person. Behavior influences the relationships, interactions and outcomes that a person has in life.
Why is True Education More Than Just a Degree?
A degree is not necessarily a measure of true education. A degree can be obtained by passing exams, completing assignments and fulfilling requirements. A degree can be achieved by cheating, plagiarizing and bribing. A degree can be bought, forged or faked. A degree does not guarantee that a person has learned anything valuable, useful or relevant. A degree does not ensure that a person has developed any skills, abilities or competencies. A degree does not indicate that a person has grown as a human being.
A degree is also not sufficient for true education. A degree can be outdated, obsolete or irrelevant in today’s fast-changing world. A degree can be limited, narrow or biased in its scope and perspective. A degree can be superficial, shallow or incomplete in its depth and breadth. A degree does not prepare a person for the complexities, uncertainties and ambiguities of life. A degree does not equip a person for the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of the future.
How to Achieve True Education?
True education cannot be achieved by just obtaining a degree. True education requires more than just formal schooling. True education involves lifelong learning: learning from various sources, methods and experiences; learning from oneself, others and the world; learning for personal, professional and social purposes; learning for enjoyment, improvement and transformation.
True education also requires active participation: participation in the learning process; participation in the knowledge creation; participation in the knowledge community; participation in the knowledge application; participation in the knowledge evaluation; participation in the knowledge dissemination.
True education also demands self-motivation: motivation to learn for intrinsic reasons; motivation to learn for self-improvement; motivation to learn for self-fulfillment; motivation to learn for self-expression; motivation to learn for self-actualization; motivation to learn for self-transcendence.
True education is more than just a degree. True education is about developing the whole person and manifesting it in behavior. True education is about lifelong learning, active participation and self-motivation. True education is about living a meaningful, fulfilling and responsible life.
