The acquiring of knowledge is the first thing we associate with education. Indeed, education provides people with the knowledge, skills, techniques, and information that enables them to know their rights and duties towards their family, society, and the nation. It expands their vision and offers a prism to see the world through different angles. It also works as a weapon to fight injustice, corruption and many other evils.
Education furnishes us with the knowledge of the world around. Without it, one might be unable to explore new ideas which can work as a tool of creativity and development in varied spheres. Therefore, it is regarded as the most vital element in the evolution of a nation.
To say “education is important ’is an understatement. In fact, education is the greatest means to change and improve one’s life. It certainly determines the quality of an individual’s life. It develops personality and character. A life of happiness and prosperity can only be attained by acquiring education. It is through education that environmental disorder, social evils, economic chaos, distinctions of caste, creed, gender and religion, etc, can be overcome.
Education is not all about pursuing a degree but it is about how you can live on your own and combat life’s daily challenges. It helps to turn one into a good parent, entrepreneur, doctor, and most importantly, a responsible citizen. Having an intelligent conversation with an educated person brings creativity and joy to the mind. Education also develops a good political ideology among people. The standard of living of citizens is largely dependent on the level of education they are able to acquire.
Countries with a high rate of illiteracy are prone to poor hygienic conditions and health. India in past decades has lost millions of lives to diseases that turned fatal due to poor sanitation and the absence of healthcare facilities. To improvise the health and hygiene of the country, schemes like “Swachh Bharat Mission” and “Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram” have been introduced, but to make these schemes work, education is necessary. Education doesn’t only create skills but also cultivates moral values which shape the behaviour of a person. Therefore, it is the primary duty of the policymakers to provide such education that good moral values are imbibed in the minds of learners. Simultaneously, education needs to be made available to far-off and remotes areas so that fundamental rights can be availed by everyone.
To summarise, the importance and role of education is not limited to bookish knowledge that we are forced to cram before exams and then rehearse onto the answer sheet to get a degree and a job. I believe that it is more important to make use of our education in a way that unleashes our creativity and eventually brings behavioral changes in us for the greater good of mankind. If every one of us understands the real importance of education and its qualitative significance, and if everyone is educated, then we can expect to see great changes in the world. I must re-emphasise that education isn’t just about schooling but a tool of power which everyone must acquire through whatever means.

The writer has an MPhil from BRAU Agra. [email protected]

DAR SHAHID HUSSAIN