Educated versus Uneducated

“Educated versus Uneducated” is an article designed to enhance your self-discovery. Within its contents, you will explore the significance of being educated and its importance. Additionally, it will elucidate the meaning of being uneducated. With this introduction, let us delve into the details of the article.

What Is Education And Why Is It Important?

When we encounter discussions contrasting educated versus uneducated perspectives, many thoughts arise. This article posits that education is a system through which we acquire knowledge and skills that are actionable.

Knowledge that falls short of being specialized is considered general education, which often equates to theoretical knowledge rather than practical. Merely learning to read and write does not constitute a complete education; these are tools that facilitate education.

True education entails the capacity to learn both in theory and in practice. If education remains purely theoretical, it is incomplete. A comprehensive education necessitates the integration of both theoretical understanding and practical application.

From the simplest definition of education, its importance becomes evident, particularly in today’s world which values individualism. Learning skills and applying them effectively can significantly improve your prospects in the modern job market.

Governments and both local and international NGOs seek educated individuals. Being educated might also entail the capability to write and read in one or two internationally recognized languages, like English and Arabic. While Swahili is predominantly a regional language, it is increasingly being acknowledged in modern communication systems as an international language.

Being educated enables you to read this post and many other significant messages. Reading expands your thinking and wisdom. It allows you to approach issues with maturity, unlike when you were uneducated or before you learned to read and write. It also raises the question of whether everyone can learn these skills. Education, in my view, transcends reading and writing because it includes applying what has been learned.

Therefore, it’s possible for someone to learn how to perform tasks without initially knowing how to read and write. If they have mastered a skill, they are educated in that domain, even if they cannot read or write in any recognized human language. For instance, if you understand the principles of buying and selling, you are educated in sales. Similarly, if you can swim, you are educated in swimming.

Understanding how to construct a house means you are educated in that field, even without formal certification. If you can perform a task well, you are knowledgeable in it, which is more valuable than having a certificate without practical experience.

Consider those who have studied health science but lack experience in diagnosis, prescribing medication, or administering injections. They may have credentials, but their knowledge is incomplete; they only grasp the theoretical aspect.

In my view, they are not truly educated until they can apply their knowledge practically. They possess theoretical understanding, not practical skills. Only when they acquire hands-on experience will they have reached full competency.

Pros of Education

Easy access to valuable information
Being able to read and write
Travelling the world through books
Having a comprehensive knowledge of things
Being less dogmatic
Self-discovery and self-improvement
Personal productivities

Cons of Education

Having too much and unused information
Reading both good and bad materials
Losing one’s own cultures
Too much knowledge
Having no single faith or doctrines
Focusing much on the self
Being independent

What Does It Mean To Be Uneducated?

When discussing educated versus uneducated, it’s important to note that being educated extends beyond the ability to read or write in any human language. It encompasses the capability to learn and perform tasks as expected. Conversely, being uneducated doesn’t merely refer to the absence of reading and writing skills; it also implies a lack of the necessary skills and processes to carry out a task. For instance, one may be literate but not possess the expertise to be a medical professional.

Similarly, being uneducated can mean a failure to perform as required or expected, equating to an inability to execute tasks correctly. It also encompasses illiteracy, which is the inability to read and write in any language. Thus, while reading and writing are integral to education, they are distinct concepts within the context of this discussion.

Reading and writing serve as conduits to education, guiding one to understand processes and enabling them to replicate those processes independently. For instance, I must read an article about self-publishing to grasp it on a practical, personal level. However, without the ability to read and write, learning anything that involves these skills becomes challenging, if not unattainable.

The inability to read or write can significantly hinder self-education and self-learning, particularly when the subject matter necessitates these essential modern skills. Nonetheless, literacy is not a prerequisite for education in every field; expertise and continuous improvement in any endeavor can also be indicative of one’s education.

For instance, if you are already a professional fisherman, you possess knowledge in that area and can impart it to others who might surpass you in reading and writing. Sometimes, those who are illiterate may have superior ideas, which they can share with individuals who can express them in written form on their behalf.

This demonstrates that literacy is not the sole indicator of true education. One cannot write about concepts they do not understand. As my late uncle used to say, “education does not prevent a fool from being a fool,” which I believe to be profoundly true. Education does not alter or reinvent our inherent nature.

Education serves only to enhance us. It is a tool that allows us to improve ourselves, but it does not change our inherent nature. Consider the views you hold; do you believe you hold them because you are educated? No, your support for them is not merely a result of education.

You naturally support them, even before becoming aware of them. You possess your own perspectives, even if the collective worldviews and teachings discourage their expression. Indeed, lacking education, particularly in basic life skills, is detrimental. Life becomes significantly more challenging without leisure activities. Money is not the sole measure of life’s fulfillment. Mastery in what you do is crucial. Without engaging in what we are passionate about, life loses its meaning.

Pros of Being Uneducated

Having little and mostly usable knowledge
Not exposed to bad materials through books and other media
Holding on to one’s own culture
Focusing much on the collective goodness
Being dependent on the group
Holding on to one’s faith and doctrines

Cons of Being Uneducated

Lack of access to valuable information
Not being able to read and write
Travelling only the physical world
Having a narrow understanding and knowledge of things
Being dogmatic and rigid to beliefs
Lack of self-discovery and self-improvement
Collective productivities

You Have a Personal Choice

Now, the choice is yours, as they often said on the BBC. It’s your turn to decide what you believe is correct. Do you concur that education extends beyond just reading and writing abilities? Do you agree that those who are illiterate can still contribute something valuable?

You possess a perspective on what it means to be educated. The viewpoint I’ve presented is mine. The aspect of individualism I cherish most is the liberty to think. I have a mind for thought and personal opinions to share with the world on all aspects of life.

However, you must still make a decision. You need to choose your stance, defend it, or simply articulate your viewpoint. You’re not obliged to concur with everything I’ve stated. But if you disagree, you should provide reasons, just as I have in this discussion.

My Final Advice

In conclusion of this insightful article, I offer a final piece of advice. As with all my writings, I advocate for balance, particularly when addressing polarizing perspectives such as these. It’s unnecessary to be inflexible about being educated in any form. Agreement or not, we remain human and should foster friendship. No one possesses superior knowledge over another regarding the essence of education.

Similarly, no individual surpasses another in what it means to be uneducated. Educated or not, all are people, equal in worth simply by virtue of being Homo sapiens. In Swahili, the phrase ‘watu ni watu’ resonates with me, affirming that indeed, people are people. This holds true regardless of religious or secular beliefs; education does not alter our fundamental humanity.

Therefore, balance is essential. We need not gravitate towards extremes, though some may disregard this counsel. Embrace this guidance, and you will find success and peace, living harmoniously with others by not considering yourself superior in any respect. If this post resonates with you, please share your thoughts. If not, I welcome feedback to refine my writing as an educational tool.