Education: The Liberating Force

“Education makes the people easy to lead, but difficult to drive, Easy to govern, but impossible to enslave” so said Lord Brougham. This is entirely true, for without education a man is a shade better than an animal. After all, why is this education so important for us? This can only be understood if we know what education is. Education is drawing out of mental faculties that are so essential for leading a happy life.
The low level of education among the poor and the downtrodden makes them vulnerable to economic and political exploitation. Though adequate provision has been made in the Constitution, to ensure their empowerment and participation, it seems the fruits of this, have not percolated down to them. The main culprit for this is lack of education, which deprives them of their power to claim their rights. This problem can only be addressed by enligthening the masses, by imparting proper education and thus enabling them to distinguish between good and bad.
The education of masses would awaken their minds to the wonders and mysteries of the universe. This would free them from doubts, superstitions and remove many social evils that are plaguing the society. It would train their intellect to reason logically and not to be carried away by false or illogical promises of politicians or power brokers. In short it would make them civilized, cultured and humane citizens of a proud country.
This would also auger well for the country, as it would strengthen democracy. The people would, in the true sense, be able to elect their leaders. They would be able to appreciate national problems, thus strengthen the hands of the government, rather than be misguided by vested and selfish sectarian interests.
Therefore, the need of the hour is to safeguard our independence. We have just been witness to how a few thousand Englishmen, ruled over this country for over two hundred years for want of an educated population. We should not allow this to happen again. This can only be ensured by imparting proper education to the masses, so that they exercise the right to franchise without fear or favour. This would make us the master of our destiny.

Students' Oxygen movement view
29/01/2012