Education refers to the process of facilitating learning, or acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits. Education has been the base of our society. It has come a long way. Earlier, providing education was not considered much essential. We have progressed over time but still we have a long way to go to provide education to every single person around the globe. In India itself education is not fully available to everyone. Teachers are the most important factor in the quality of education.
Imparting education to everyone is very important as education increases our living standard, provides us a way to earn our living, help in mental development also. In the past, education was considered only a source of providing knowledge to score good marks in exams and to earn a decent earning. But, education in real is much more than this.
Education has many roles. Each role of education is very important. It is basically a source to provide theoretical as well as practical knowledge. It revolves around providing holistic development to the children. Education helps everyone to see life with a more positive perspective.
But, even today in most parts of our country, education is constrained only to theoretical knowledge. Every year the number of unemployment is increasing in our country, it’s all because students are only given theoretical knowledge, they have no idea of the practical world outside their books and report cards. It’s high time that the students should be provided knowledge about the practical world, which they have to deal with after the completion of their studies. We need to be more serious about providing training to students during their studies in schools or colleges. So that they have an idea that how things work in the real world.
All these things are secondary, but firstly we need to make sure that education reaches every single person, in every corner of the world irrespective of any kind of discrimination. Education is a right of every person irrespective of their caste, color, country, language, religion, culture, etc.
What is quality education?
Quality education refers to providing the students the all the skills they need to become economically stable, be considerate towards the environment and to play their part as a responsible citizen. The learning outcomes required vary vastly from person to person but at the completion of education cycle what is needed is that the person can read and write, has basic knowledge of science and life skills including awareness and prevention of disease. Education is considered quality education when it helps all the children to reach their full potential and enter society as productive and responsible citizens.
Dimension of quality education
Education leads to empowerment of the society. It provides us the capability such that we get to learn how to have more control over the situations we face in life and how to be considerate about our environment. Quality education is a crucial component in combating poverty and inequality prevailing in the society. Here are some of the dimensions which quality education should fulfill:-
Equality
This term refers to non-discrimination. Equality in education means that personal and socio-cultural hindrance such as gender, caste, family background, financial condition, etc. do not become an obstacle in achieving education. All individuals should receive education such that the can read and write properly at least. Quality education aims at eliminating discrimination.
Transform according to situation
Since situation need not be same everywhere, so no single blue print of quality education would work everywhere. Instead quality education should be such that it can be molded as per the prevailing situation.
Children friendly learning and teaching
Quality education revolves around children to help them achieve their full potential. So the teaching method should be such that it does not strain the children.
Result oriented
After completing education, children must know what they have to do further. Education ensures that no child is clueless about the future after completing the education. Quality education is a result oriented approach of education.
Balanced Approach
The aim of quality education is to develop a balance of a set of capabilities that they require to enhance individual well-being, economic productivity, and many more. Students who receive education should enjoy equal treatment in educational activities.
We need to move forward from education to quality education. Still there are many parts of the world which lag behind in education as compared to other developed countries in the world.
UN’s TAKE ON QUALITY EDUCATION
In the year 2012 United Nations included Quality Education for the first time in their Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). UN has set a goal to achieve these SDG by the year 2030. There are total of 17 Sustainable Development Goals set as a benchmark for every member nation to ensure global prosperity, protect the planet and to eradicate poverty.
This agenda is set as a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. Achievement of the plan would lead to strengthening of universal peace.
Goal 4 of SDG is a unique goal focused on Education. This is for the first time when any such goal has been set on such vast level.
We all know that the goals set up by UN are not goals merely on paper. These goals are always achieved with a huge success. So this call for a Quality Education and not just merely access to education, is a huge step taken by the UN to ensure that all children, irrespective of their gender, financial condition are provided with Quality Education. Major focus is given on providing Quality Education to the children of low-income countries and under developed or developing countries.
IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY EDUCATION
Quality Education is important because of various reasons some of them are as follows:-
- It focuses on the holistic development of the child- social, emotional, mental and physical development of the child regardless of gender, race, socio-economic status, or geographic location. It basically prepares the child for the life, not just for exams.
- It provides resources and directs policy to ensure that every child goes to school and learns to live a healthy lifestyle.
- Ensures that every child learns in an environment that is mentally and physically apt for the child.
- It ensures availability of well qualified teachers, so that it becomes easy for the student to learn properly.
- It majorly focuses on training and preparing the student for the future, so that they don’t find it difficult to earn in the future.
- It focuses on increasing the literacy in the female students. As female students are the most prone to be uneducated.
Three key pillars of Quality Education
Quality Education stands majorly on 3 pillars. These 3 pillars are the strength of this Quality Education system. These pillars are-
- Access to quality teachers.
- Use of quality learning tools and professional development.
- Safe and supportive quality learning environment.
How to promote quality Education
Every individual has the capability to do his/her own bit to promote quality education. All you need to do is take a few small steps.
- If you aren’t using a book anymore, it can be donated to the needy instead of throwing it away.
- If you have expertise in a particular subject, you can start taking online classes for the same at no cost.
- Always be ready to help children with their projects and homework. Provide them with the proper guidance so that they can complete their projects and assignments efficiently.
Education is the backbone of our society. Future of the society is dependent on the education. It is very important that we contribute our bit to achieve the goal of Quality Education, as it is very important to all of us.
