International Day of Education
January 23, 2023
International Day of Education
When looking for a short definition of the word “Education” I really could not find it, not a “short” one, that is; even the etymology of the word (for those who ask about the origin and where it came from?) has a quite extensive answer, however in both cases I am going to try my best to simplify it, (– took a lot by the way, the content I found on the digital encyclopedia “Wikipedia” is 26 pages long, and the references are 24 pages more!! –) so here it goes:
“Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Education originated as the transmission of cultural heritage from one generation to the next. Today, educational goals increasingly encompass new ideas such as the liberation of learners, skills needed for modern society, empathy, and complex vocational skills.” Wikipedia
As for the Etymological Meaning of Education, we find:
The word education is derived from the Latin word “educare” which means to bring up. Another Latin word “educere”, means to bring forth. Therefore, education means ‘to bring forth’, as well as ‘bring up’. According to Varro “Educit obstertrix, educate, nutrix, institute, pedagogues, docet, magister” i.e. “the mid-wife brings forth, the nurse brings up, the tutor trains, and the master teaches”. Accordingly, education does not mean only the acquisition of knowledge, but it is the development of attitudes and skills.
Historically, Philosophers have, from ancient times, given their views on education. Socrates (470-399 B.C.) was one of the first to do so. Socrates preferred to describe education by comparing it with his mother’s profession. Education is Midwifery. A teacher, like a midwife, only helps the mother to give birth. The teacher is not the mother. So also, the pupil himself “conceives” the idea, (Called concept”) and the teacher only helps. (http://studylecturenotes.com/etymological-meaning-of-education/). About this there is also a lot of information available, and for those who want to know more there is this article: History of education, which offers an (also very) extensive amount of information.
For now, I want to direct your attention to “Education” as a “Human Right” and as a tool towards “Self-Transcendence”.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed January 24th as the “International Day of Education”, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.
The right to education is enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration calls for free and compulsory elementary education. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, goes further to stipulate that countries shall make higher education accessible to all.
Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind. (https://www.unesco.org/en/right-education)
Education is a basic human right that works to raise men and women out of poverty, level inequalities and ensure sustainable development. But worldwide 244 million children and youth are still out of school for social, economic and cultural reasons. Education is one of the most powerful tools in lifting excluded children and adults out of poverty and is a steppingstone to other fundamental human rights.
That said, there are clear indications that although education is an aid to life, as Maria Montessori said: (Insert picture with quote:
“The art of education must become a service to these powers inherent in all children. It must be a help to life”. (Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures, p. 38)
There is a need to make sure that there is access to that education which we have a right to. Where does this journey start? According to Maria Montessori, very early in life, maybe even when we are born; she also emphasizes on the fact that we all should collaborate with this noble endeavor, because: “Education is a basic Human Right” ….
“This is education, understood as a help to life; an education from birth, which feeds a peaceful revolution and unites all in a common aim, attracting them as to a single center. Mothers, fathers, politicians: all must combine in their respect and help for this delicate work of formation, which the little child carries on in the depth of a profound psychological mystery, under the tutelage of an inner guide. This is the bright new hope for mankind.” (Dr. Maria Montessori | The Absorbent Mind, p. 15)
On the other hand, in a (LinkedIn) post from @Jeroen Kraijenbrink about the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need, we read the following:
“We all know Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. However, only few people know that Maslow revised it near the end of his life and added one additional layer on top of it.
Maslow’s Hierarchy (or Pyramid) stems from 1943 and is one of the most well-known models of people’s psychological needs. Its logic is simple and attractive: from bottom to top you have physiological, safety, belonging, esteem and self-actualization needs.”
What can we “take” from this, that relates to education? Well, consider this:
“The pinnacle of the pyramid as most people know it is “self-actualization.” It is the place where we strive to achieve our full potential, use our creativity and capacities, to truly become the best version of ourselves.”
… isn’t “achieving” our highest potential also done through education? The answer is “Yes” … The post continues with:
“Nice as this may sound, it is a pretty egocentric end goal. It suggests that the highest one can achieve is discovering and exploiting one’s own capabilities. But what about concern for others and for the rest of the world? While self-transcendence may sound too mystical or supernatural to some, it is a very relevant and timely concept. What it means is a sense of being part of something greater than just yourself, of looking beyond your boundaries to the world as a whole, and of connecting to others because you care about them”.
Somewhere in the middle of this Blog we read: “Education is one of the most powerful tools in lifting excluded children and adults out of poverty”, and it combines just the two “items” I mentioned when I wanted to focus your attention on the “right” to Education, and Education as a tool to “self-transcendence”. Yes, times have changed, but there are still affirmations expressed by theorists that stand in present day, and these should guide us teachers through the noble journey of sharing our knowledge; as Maria Montessori says:
We must take man himself, take him with patience and confidence, across all the planes of education. We must put everything before him, the school, culture, religion, the world itself. We must help him to develop within himself that which will make him capable of understanding. It is not merely words; it is a labor of education. This will be a preparation for peace – for peace cannot exist without justice and without men endowed with a strong personality and a strong conscience. (Maria Montessori, Citizen of the World, p. 38)
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