What is the objective of education? The objective of education is not just a job, but to create a person with good character. Good character doesn’t only mean being morally upright but also someone who contributes to society.
To understand the importance of innovation and new ideas in education, let’s narrate a story that we all know. There was a cap seller in a village who used to sell caps. One day, as he was passing through a village, he got tired and decided to rest under a tree with his basket. When he woke up, his basket was empty, and all the caps were taken away by the mischievous monkeys.
In a moment of inspiration, the cap seller came up with a clever trick. He threw his own cap down to the ground, and all the monkeys imitated him, throwing the caps they had taken. He collected all the caps and happily went on to the next village to sell them. When he reached home, he narrated the whole story to his grandson.
His grandson was amazed and thought his grandfather was incredibly intelligent. As years passed by, the grandson also started his own cap-selling business, following his family’s footsteps. One day, he found himself stuck on the road while selling the caps and decided to take a break under a tree. To his dismay, the same thing happened – the monkeys took all the caps. But the grandson remembered his grandfather’s trick. He also threw his own cap to the ground, expecting the monkeys to imitate him and return the caps. However, one clever monkey came down, picked up the cap, and said, “My grandfather also told me a story. That’s why the same ideas and concepts won’t work again and again. We need to give new ideas and concepts to society.”
This story teaches us an important lesson – the objective of education is to nurture innovation, creativity, and the development of new ideas and concepts. It shows that simply replicating existing strategies or solutions is not enough. Education should encourage individuals to think critically, question established norms, and explore new possibilities.
The lesson from the clever monkey resonates with the objectives of education. It reminds us that education should not only focus on imparting knowledge and skills but also on inspiring individuals to bring fresh perspectives and approaches to address societal challenges.
Moreover, education should also instill values and promote good character. It should teach empathy, respect, and compassion, instilling in students a sense of social responsibility. Education should shape individuals who understand the importance of giving back and making a difference in the lives of others.
In conclusion, the objective of education is not limited to securing a job or acquiring knowledge; it extends to the development of individuals with good character who can make a positive impact on society. Education should stimulate creativity, foster critical thinking, and promote values such as empathy and social responsibility. By achieving these objectives, education plays a crucial role in shaping the future generation and creating a better world for all.
Thouseef Madikeri is the Director of the Centre for Advanced Research in Education
