Today, the world marks the International Day of Education. This is a day selected by the United Nations to celebrate the role education plays in fostering development and peace. It is celebrated globally on the 24th of January, every year. The theme for this year is ‘Changing Course, Transforming Education’.
In light of this annual event, we would be discussing the benefits of education. There are various advantages that having an education gives people. Here are some of the benefits:
Education Reduces Poverty.
Research has shown that education has been a beacon of hope for the poor. Many success stories of people who have made a name for themselves and impacted the world have been based on how acquiring knowledge saved them from destitution.
Being educated improves one’s chances of getting a decent means of livelihood and this translates to poverty reduction.
Education Builds Capacity.
Learning is a primary means of capacity building. The basic role of tutoring is to develop and transform the mindset and worldview of its receivers. People learn to think critically, formulate theories, and practicalize, so as to affirm or discard theories.
Education expands the mind, shines a light on how much a person can be and gives a glimpse into the extent to which a person can grow. Without learning, many people are likely to be living far below their potential and capabilities.
It Leads to Economic Development.
The developments in our world today have been greatly influenced by enlightenment. The bridges, telecommunication and its far reach and continuous growth, the use of solar energy to generate electricity, etc, have all been built and gifted to the world by educated minds.
The ease with which people transact online and do business beyond borders is yet another way in which the world has benefitted from learning.
Also, educated minds can come up with more ways to improve an economy, and thus diversify a nation’s means of generating GDP. Such educated minds also observe the trends around the world and key into them early, in order to become some of the early beneficiaries of those innovations.
Education Promotes Equality.
In a world that segments people into race, class, gender, et cetera, education is an equalizer. Having formal instruction and being able to prove your competence give you an edge. Competence trumps segmentation and biases and puts competent people right at the top.
Expanding one’s knowledge and staying updated on developments in one’s field, and well as other fields is a way to remain relevant in our fast-changing world.
Education Fosters Peace.
Remember that one of the UN’s goals for marking International Day of Education is to put a spotlight on how education enhances peace in the world. Conflict resolution is a huge part of living amicably as members of society.
One of the ways education helps foster peace is that it helps people see that there are various ways to resolve conflict that do not have to involve violence. It teaches people to not be narrow-minded and to seek ways to reach a peaceful resolution to their conflict.
It Improves World Health.
Studies have shown that the more educated people there are, the fewer cases of certain diseases like HIV and AIDS there will be. Sensitization is a tool that WHO and other health organizations use to enlighten people about the dangers of diseases and how to prevent them.
So, if more people are enlightened on the ways to prevent or manage such diseases, as the case may be, there are likely to be fewer cases of such diseases. Also, certain lifestyle changes are better adopted by people who understand the benefits of changing their lifestyles and habits.
Education has had a lot of impact on our world today. It also has an influence on how we see the world and what kind of people we become. Acquiring formal instruction should be a right and not just a privilege. It makes us better and it makes our world better.
RELATED POST 6 Advantages of Reading