OPINION: School System Or Education?

By Adedeji Gideon

The age-old debate of School vs Education has persisted for decades, with valid arguments on both sides. However, in my view, education is vastly superior to the traditional school system.

You would agree with me, that the core purpose of education is to impart knowledge, cultivate critical thinking, and prepare individuals for the challenges of the real world, yes? However, the present-day school system has become increasingly focused on standardized testing, role memorization, and teaching to the test, all perfunctory as opposed to the impact of education in itself. This quite narrow approach fails to truly engage students or foster a genuine love of learning, one that aids the students in applying theory to real life situations. The rigid structure and one-size-fits-all curriculum of schools not only impairs creativity, but also, individuality, and the unique learning styles of students. Many students find themselves uninterested with the conventional educational process, rather simply going through the motions to earn a diploma rather than genuinely expanding their horizons, or building intellectual stamina.

Education in contrast, when approached with passion and genuine interest, can be a transformative experience. By taking control of our own learning, we can:
1. Tailor learning to our specific interests, needs, and learning styles, enabling us to be able to develop expertise in areas that really matter, rather than being constrained by a rigid curriculum. This allows for flexibility and personalization leading to a more fulfilling and impactful educational journey.

2. Cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and growth, thus equipping ourselves with the skills and adaptability to navigate an ever-changing world. This is in contrast to the school system’s focus on merely attaining a degree or certificate, which leads to an erroneous conclusion that learning ends after formal schooling.

3. Acquire a more direct connection to the skills and knowledge required in the modern workforce and entrepreneurial landscape- the real world, by focusing on practical applications and problem-solving.

4. Engage in collaborative learning, where we can learn from one another, sharing ideas, and working together to solve complex problems. This allows for the development of valuable interpersonal, quality relationships and teamwork skills, in contrast to the mostly competitive environment of the school system.

5. Nurse and nurture a lifelong passion for continuous growth and development in our areas of passion, leading to greater fulfillment and a more enriching personal and professional journey.

The world today is experiencing a rapid pace of technological and societal change, which in turn demands a flexible, adaptable approach to learning. The stoic and conventional nature of the school system struggles to keep up with these evolving demands, whereas education empowers individuals to continuously learn, grow, and adapt throughout their lives. Of course, the place of the school system cannot be discussed away, as it serves an important role in providing a structured foundation and avenue for access to educational resources for many students. However, in a new world, where information and educational opportunities are more readily available, and easily accessible than ever before, an aftermath of the concept of globalization, the case for prioritizing self-directed education over the constraints of the traditional school model becomes increasingly compelling, and the tide is seeming to favor the corner.

Indeed the school system has its merits, but education, with its emphasis on personalized learning, critical thinking, and lifelong development, is the superior path to unlocking one’s full potential and preparing for the challenges of the modern world. In the long run, the choice between school and education is ultimately a personal one, one must carefully decide the route to satisfy the unique demands of their chosen paths.

EDITORIAL: The Conundrum that is Culture…

The universe is a vast space of diverse species spread far and wide, the diversity in the universe knows no bounds and cannot exactly be contained in a simple definition or explanation. That diversity is what makes the universe what it is.
However, in a bid to understand this diversity, and compress it to man’s understanding, the concept of culture comes to play. But like almost all of man’s endeavors, culture is a concept that has no finite conclusion. Hence, the conundrum that is Culture…

The Conundrum..
It could be contrasting, it could be different, it could be that it just does not fit, or that there is no finite definition that caps it all, the conundrum can be many things.. In the works of the 19th-century Danish Philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, in lieu of his many works such as ‘Fear and Trembling‘ and ‘Knight of Faith‘, he compared a conundrum to have the same contextual meaning as an ‘existential dilemma‘. His works are writings that often involve the characters having to make ‘dilemmic’ decisions or decide if a choice between incomparable elements is foolhardy or a show of strength.
For this editorial piece however, the conundrum here is one that doesn’t appear to be finite, although designed to be encompassing, providing a true bearing to diversity, it is still in itself diverse beyond measure. Hence, the conundrum of attempting to encompass diverse and infinite in a finite concept.
And so, like Søren opined, a conundrum is infact an existential dilemma, and in this case, one that leaves one wondering about the conclusion of the whole matter, evaluating tenets, examining it with various parameters that exist diversely, wondering if the acclaimed one-cap-fits-all definition is truly the beginning and end of a concept so profound. The conundrum is one that makes one wonder if infact there could be more or if there is more to the concept than meets the eye…

..that is Culture..
According to an Anthropological renowned figure, Edward Burnett Tylor, culture is pretty much finite. Bound by the tenets of KBALMC (Knowledge, Belief, Art, Laws, Morals, Custom), and any other factor as dictated by society that binds an individual acceptably to the said society. This definition should apparently be enough to encapsulate the diversity that exists within the universe, however, there is the question of individualism, personhood, inherent nature, opinions and choices, and essentially the sometimes conflicting nature of man. Where do these fit into the Tylorian definition, what accounts for them?
Indeed the nature of culture itself, far outweighs what it is perceived as. A concept that cuts across different aspects, social, biological, mental, even physical, cannot simply be put into a box when it is supposed to exist outside of any confinement. Culture in its diversity is influenced by many a thing, from the inherent nature of man to personal inclinations that influence behavior, to sporadic or periodic innovation and change within a society, to mutations in the stereotypical, and other diverse things.

Culture in itself is a conundrum, a concept that seems to tease the ability of man to confound things that stretch beyond comprehension, poking out at loose ends and peeking out from loop holes that show at every turn, never seeming to fit completely. Maybe being a conundrum, is what it is meant to be, remaining peculiar to individual perception, only yielding to factors that influence it within a specific sphere, not exactly fitting a finite universal depiction.

So, dear reader, what defines culture for you? What unique perceptions influence the somewhat universal concept for you? Would you stick to the one-cap-fits-all? Or would you rather accept its true nature.. a conundrum.

IF YOU AREN’T SURE OF GETTING A JOB AFTER GRADUATING, WHY GO TO SCHOOL?

A lot of people go schooling to feel the trend being a student, funny right? But that is the truth. Well, school is one of the best place to find yourself, learn, realize, discover and lot more. Lot of fun to catch in school, but why do we go to school?
Have you ever asked yourself why you are in school?