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The
Philosophy of Schooling
Perhaps
we should all be made to return to school periodically. There
are many further education colleges and Adult colleges as
well as Universities running courses to suit all. Full time,
part-time, one day short course and every shade in between
are offered. And Schools generally do more than educate.
Education
is the acquiring of knowledge. It can take place anywhere.
At home, in the park, in the bedroom, at a church, at a club,
walking down the street or basically anywhere where clear
thinking can take place.
For
children, schooling offers different life skills, as well
as education. These include:
Socialisation,
The art of making friends, Breaking up and Making up.
Emotional Development,
Etiquette,
Acceptable Manners
Normal Behaviour
Vocational preparation,
Punctuality and Commitment
The discipline to attend a certain place every day, on time
Team Work
Debating Skills (Arguing skills)
Motivation
Competition
Comparisons
Its
unfortunate that the best that schools have to offer is not
appreciated by children until years after they have left school,
and look back ruefully at the wasted time.
Certain
topics are best taught by professionals. Schools not only
teach what is relevant and useful now, but what is felt will
be useful in later life. It teaches what is moral and acceptable
and the advantage of following a set of rules. It should also
teach independent thought and critical analysis.
Why
is Ballet, or Latin considered to be higher echelons of learning,
than plumbing, cookery or car maintenance? For whatever reason,
students with less academic ability are steered towards those
more practical courses. We can only be thankful that not everyone
is the same, otherwise there would be no Arts, or no Trades
people.
Education
implies some breadth of understanding of various subjects,
rather than a single narrow specialism. However a brilliant
historian may or a top-rank scientist might surprise many
by their lack of general knowledge, or street knowledge. But
the discipline required for deep knowledge about one area,
usually - over time encourages that person to study other
areas which grab their attention. This week, they might know
nothing about rap music, but by next week this time, they
know far more than you do. They know how to research and obtain
knowledge quickly.
Education
is a game which must be played by those who plan to get ahead.
It must be played to win, and prizes must be collected along
the way. Like a video game, there are higher levels, once
you get through a certain task. These tasks are Examinations,
Coursework, SATs.
Adults
must not stop learning. It will help to stimulate the brain
and ensure quicker reactions and ideas even as they get older.
Education
should be the fundamental for business owners. Read biographies
of top business people to get inspiration and motivation.
If they could do it, surely you can. Learn about the proposed
business. Find out how other business owners have done with
similar businesses. Research Company or Charity accounts.
Find out best practice. Learn how to market the product, for
that is the difference between success and failure. Even is
a product is crap, it is possible to sell a million of it
if the marketing is right.
Adults
need good business education. So if schooling is required
to make it happen, join the many courses out there. Some are
even free. Learn from the experts. It will help to motivate
you, even if you think you have heard it all before. The fact
is that poorer educated people are more likely to start businesses,
and hence the businesses tend not to last past 3 years. 85%
of businesses fail. Education is no guarantee of success,
but it does increase the odds for success.
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