What is the important contribution of educational institutions in our lives in the society as a whole?

Billionaires such as Ritesh Agarwal (Founder & CEO, OYO rooms), Bill Gates (Co-founder, Microsoft) and Gautam Adani (Founder Chairman, Adani Group) are just a few examples of people who have achieved success without having a college degree. But education played a role in laying the foundation for their success. The basic knowledge and experiences gained are what allowed the wider picture to emerge in their later life.

Although they are excellent role models despite being college dropouts, we must remember that they represent only a handful of success stories as opposed to the ‘nobody’ status of the majority of college dropouts in reality. Let us also not forget that aspirations vary from person to person. Some dream of becoming an IAS or a doctor, whereas others might prefer a career in law, engineering etc. There are a variety of sought-after occupations that demand the fulfilment of prerequisite eligibilities, and formal education helps in this regard because it is legal, statutory, and recognized by the public, government, and society as a whole.

With the evolution of mankind in society, the scope of education has also broadened. Today, the nature of education can be segregated into two broad categories – formal education & informal education.

In the premises of formal education, a child is imparted academic knowledge and training by specialised teachers, starting from school and all the way up to college/university level. This type of education has universal applicability, which facilitates youths to learn within the scope of a planned, deliberate and systematic medium, as per their course of studies. The level of knowledge proficiency under formal education is assessed based on well-planned organised methods of assessment and evaluation.

However, education can be acquired outside of standardised schooling norms, which fall under the scope of the informal education system. There is a lot to be learned outside the scope of formal studies, which can allow people to acquire an in-depth understanding of topics and lessons that are otherwise not taught in schools. However, the existence of invaluable lessons that can be gained from informal education does not negate the purpose and importance of formal education. Formal education is still relevant and necessary for the holistic development of an individual.

–        Formal education is an attempt at the all-around development of a person, that can help them become responsible, passionate and productive citizens contributing to the advancement of our society.

–        Early introduction to formal education has the ability to enhance the behavioural traits of a child in a way that is desirable in our society. This implies the indispensable impact of formal schooling on a child’s upbringing. This is perhaps the reason why we see visible differences in the behavioural and knowledge-aspects of two children brought up under two different circumstances – one with formal schooling, and one without.

–        Formal education has the ability to change the course of a person from alienation, poverty and destitution, and bring them on a path to security, social belongingness and prosperity. It moulds the physical, intellectual, emotional and social characteristics of a person in a balanced manner.

–        Furthermore, formal education trains children to develop critical thinking and reasoning power, shaping them into good citizens, and improving their social standing and independence.

Every child is born different. They have curiosity, urges and impulses of several kinds which constantly seek outlets. Formal education provides a sense of direction for them through carefully established channels, enabling them to reach their desired goals. It is the primary task of educational institutions to tap into the latent abilities, potentials, interests, behaviour and needs of the children and bring them forward in the best possible platform.

It is important to mention that educational institutions play a critical role in defining the career paths of the future working force of a nation. Teachers have the ability to guide students towards specialised fields after understanding the abilities and interests of individual students. The premise of formal education offers an excellent platform to foster such personalised guidance for students.

To be successful in all aspects of later years, a person needs to acquire some knowledge, skills, attitude and interests. Apart from assisting the child in laying a strong foundation for further and broader scope of education, formal education provides opportunities for social learning, group learning, group works, games and sports, dramatics, debates, discussions, cultural programmes, modes and various forms of democracy. They learn cooperation, understanding, friendship, tolerance, cordial manners and all such qualities essential for a successful living in society. So, the function of schooling is not limited to only individual development, but it also helps shape social development.

Educational institutions also facilitate the new generation to get acquainted with the history, literature, customs, traditions, beliefs, ancient myths and legends of the society and the world. It enables us to protect and preserve society’s events and achievements in the past and pass along the knowledge to the younger generation. Through schooling, it prepares children for the future by inheriting, enriching, preserving and transmitting culture and values.

The rules, principles and regulations that govern the functioning of institutions also impart valuable lessons on discipline, time management, punctuality, responsibility, morality, social values and more. With the accommodation of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, the educational institutions promote national unity and integrity. The teachers through their practical efficiency, skills, and competency mould the behaviour of students into a desirable form by imparting socially desirable knowledge, skills and providing socially desirable experiences.

However, the knowledge & skill-based proficiency of two educated people can vary depending on their financial situation and the environment in which they learn. In comparison to public school students who mostly get to learn in a generic learning environment, students of private schools may receive better privileges & refined learning experiences, leading to global exposure early on. Nonetheless, the formal schooling structure is designed in such a manner that every child receives equal opportunities to receive higher education at premier institutions of national and international repute, such as the IITs, NITs, Harvard, Oxford, MIT, etc. Merit-based scholarships are made available to enable bright students with financial constraints to pursue higher education of their choice without being burdened with the cost involved.

India has come a long way since its struggle for freedom and made great strides in its development. Today, the lag in research & technology that once existed is being rapidly bridged with continuous development and investments to improve and widen the spectrum of education in India. The introduction of NEP 2020 by the Govt. of India is an excellent example of supporting this. Further, additional measures are being taken actively to bring reforms in the educational scenario and better serve the students of our nation. The best of talents and the majority of the self-reliant citizens of our nation have got their education to thank for the exposure they have received in their respective lives. We have a rich history of producing talented scientists, CEOs, business people and more who have had a positive impact on societies around the world.

Adding on, education has had a significant impact on social reformations and progress in India. It has allowed women in the country to be more independent. It has had a positive impact on poverty alleviation by helping people become more self-sufficient and self-reliant. It has also facilitated the eradication of social evils and superstitions through awareness buildup in society. In a nutshell, the role of formal education isn’t just to provide a means to livelihood for an individual but to rebuild our society and bring sustainable solutions to light, for the collective benefit of all.

The success of an individual greatly depends on their level of education and the ability to practically apply what they have learned in school. The accessibility of quality education is not only important for individual development, but also for the development of society as a whole. It is not just the information from the lessons that matters, but the entire learning process as well, from overcoming obstacles to personal development. This is how mature and accomplished individuals are created, people with a critical view of the world around them, ready to leave their mark on it.

What benefits does education bring to society?

Education plays a very important role in all areas of society, and is most responsible for the development of civilization as we know it. Modern society is built on education, which is visible in several ways: 

A more tolerant society 

Humankind has gone a long way from primitive communities that were solely dedicated to the fight for survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment. People used to fear everything that was different or unknown, as well as phenomena they did not understand. However, new standards have gradually been adopted when it comes to human rights. According to the UN’s Declaration of Principles on Tolerance:”Education is the most effective means of preventing intolerance. The first step in diversity education is to teach people what their shared rights and freedoms are, so that they may be respected, and to promote the will to protect those of others.”

An educated person is able to better interpret their environment, but also to recognize their rights thanks to the knowledge they acquired in school. Simply put, it is much harder to manipulate an educated, well-informed person than someone who lacks education. Acquiring new knowledge helps people to critically approach any information, because such people primarily rely on facts when they pass judgements about anything. Thus, better education helps people to better understand social conflicts and the needs of others. 

Better quality of life for vulnerable populations 

The more educated people are, the better they will understand the world around them, and will be better able to improve their own life and the lives of others. This progress is particularly noticeable in vulnerable populations where education is the best solution for creating better perspectives and achieving success, both when it comes to individuals, and community as a whole. A better quality of life is achieved by:

Reducing poverty

Lack of education is the main reason why many families, and even entire communities live in poverty for generations. Without knowledge, they lack the basic tools needed to change their life for the better. Education helps young people to understand their position and recognize the opportunities available to them. 

Acquiring new knowledge and skills opens the door to better-paid jobs, which in turn directly impacts the progress of the entire community. As the education of young people from poor backgrounds is crucial for their advancement and success, more funds are being invested in schooling and guidance so that everyone has an equal chance to become influential members of society. 

This improves the social status of a large number of people who then have the opportunity to find more creative and better-paid jobs, which directly reflects on the success of the whole society, country, and even the whole world, which is faced with similar challenges. 

Improving the nation’s health 

Education encourages a healthy lifestyle, thus making it easier to tackle challenges such as poor health of individuals and entire communities. Well-informed individuals will know how to ensure a proper development of their children, as well as when and how to get treatment. Taking health seriously and interpreting information based on the credibility of its sources, combined with the knowledge acquired in school, are the best ways to maintain the psychophysical health of a nation. 

Reducing crime

The majority of offenders who end up in prison are young people from poor backgrounds. One of the reasons for that is the lack of perspective that pushes them into a life of crime. Education gives everyone a chance to acquire new knowledge and learn soft skills that will help them improve their life. Education also helps children to appreciate themselves, their ambitions and knowledge from an early age, and to understand that they have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is a powerful weapon in the fight against crime and poverty, two challenges that every country in the world is faced with.    

Improving social life

A better understanding of the industrialized world, and a higher living standard open new opportunities for people to satisfy their cultural needs. Going to the theater, exhibitions, or concerts enriches one’s social life and brings joy. Indeed, life is more than mere survival, and education enables a higher living standard, greater understanding among people, and personal fulfillment through education, job, and extracurricular activities. 

A large number of educated people improves the life of a community 

Education is integral for providing better job opportunities in the fields that are always looking for experts. We are talking about well-paid professions, such as programmers or surgeons. These professions are even able to drive the development of a whole community. However, in order to reach that level, it is necessary to continuously invest in the education of both children and adults who want to reskill or upskill. Although quality higher education is synonymous with career success, education is equally important in all stages of a person’s development. 

The foundations for the development of one’s talent and future skills are laid in elementary school, and each subsequent step brings students closer to the ultimate goal – making a career in a field that fulfills them and allows them to achieve their full potential. This is how the education system, and efforts of the whole community help raise and educate young people who believe in themselves. If they make an effort and acquire the right knowledge, they will be in the position to choose a career and job, which in turn opens up a whole range of possibilities for fulfilling their goals such as buying a house, financial security, a stable family life, etc. Education means long-term investment in a better life of all members of society. 

Developing talents that change the face of humanity 

When people are accomplished and successful, they have the ability to give back to their community. Perhaps the most famous examples of such individuals are billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffet who not only donate billions of dollars to charity, but also invest in the development of technologies and methods that could help millions of people in the future (vaccines, environmental issues, food, etc.). 

When a society systematically invests in education, there is a possibility of creating a new Nikola Tesla, who otherwise would not have a chance to develop his/her talent. It is a kind of investment in the future and the potential of all members of society, because each of them can contribute to its development. 

Education is an integral part of modern society 

The development and progress of mankind can be directly attributed to educated people who drove human society forward. Investing in education raises awareness about major challenges to society, such as global warming and environmental protection. These things directly affect the quality of life, and they could not be solved without ambitious, creative, and intelligent people who are ready to change the world with their knowledge.  

This is why taking education seriously is not just an important decision for an individual, but also a socially responsible behavior. Every individual has the power to change the world, the only dilemma is – how. There is not a single correct answer to this question, but with a good approach, quality education, hard work, innovation, and creativity, we can be sure that society will remain in good hands.