(3) Answer for question number four (4)

Education makes us better citizens by teaching us how to conduct

ourselves through life by following rules and regulations and giving us a sense

of conscience. It make us more confident to go out there and achieve things.

Many governments across the world have recognized the importance of

education as a tool to enhance progress and make the world a better place.

Let us see how it achieves that

{{>>>Self-Respect refers to loving oneself and behaving with honour and

dignity. It reflects Respect for oneself. An individual who has Self-Respect

would treat himself with honour. Furthermore, lacking Self-Respect is a

matter of disgrace. An individual who does not respect himself, should

certainly not expect Respect from others. This is because nobody likes to treat

such an individual with Respect.<<<< }}

The human race has made significant progress in the past 7 million years.

From being cave dwelling Neanderthals to now being jet-setting futurists, we

have come a long way. Today, as we gear up to become a planet of 9 billion

people, are we better off than we were millenniums ago? Of course access to

the bare necessities of life has never been easier. Shelter electricity, food, and

hygiene have considerably improved the quality of our lives. But the one

essential element that separates us from the dumb, that helps create better

societies, develop virtues and gives us a sense of freedom—is Education and

many around the world are still deprived of it.

The classic definition of education is ”the process of receiving or giving

systematic instruction, especially at a school or university”. But education is

much more than that. It is a process of continuous learning which can be

acquired anywhere at any time and any age. It is the fundamental right of

every citizen because it promotes empowerment and ensures development

benefits. Education can be used for the upliftment of society since it helps

elevate the social and economic conditions in the marginalized sections of

society.

Education spreads awareness

Blind faith and superstitions are what bog down society. People misled by
false beliefs do more harm than good to society. Education helps us question,
gives us an analytical mind and helps us reject superstitions. An educated
mind asks for logic and scientific reasoning behind all actions.
It helps us stand up against wrong and for the right
Education helps lower crime rate. That’s because the educated can
differentiate between what’s right and what’s wrong. Research has shown that
increasing the high school completion rate by just 1 percent for all men ages
20-60 would save the U.S. up to $1.4 billion per year in reduced costs from
crime. This is true for other regions as well.
It helps progress
Better education opens up a host of opportunities and this is especially
relevant in the times we live in where technology and education ensure that
opportunities are not bound by geography.
It gives us a healthier lifestyle
Better educated people tend to live longer and have better lifestyles. For
example research conducted in central European OECD countries have
shown that a 30-year-old tertiary-educated man can expect to live eight years
longer than a 30-year-old man who has not completed upper secondary
education. While a tertiary-educated woman can expect to live four years
longer than a woman without an upper secondary education.
Helps us to be more productive
It is a fact well known that the more degrees you have, better would be your
economic performance. There is a deep connection between education and
productivity and in this age where there is competition at every turn, education

is what will help an industry and subsequently a nation, to flourish.

t helps us connect across borders

Digital education has helped achieve this. Education has given students from

across borders opportunities to connect and communicate and work towards

building a better future and a better world. For example, a professor in

America can help inspire a student in Afghanistan to study and travel the

world, help herself and a whole generation after her, to lead a better life.

• It gives empowerment

Education helps turn weakness into strength. Education gives us the

confidence to stand for ourselves. It improves our decision making

capabilities, makes us mobile and gives us access to social networks. Many

researches have proven that in countries where women are subjected to

gender bias, education helped them stand up against marital violence,

improved their decision making capabilities and helped them take charge of

their own lives.

To quote Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, “books and our

pens, they are the most powerful weapons. One child, one

teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.

Education is the only solution. Education first.”