A majority of governments across the world have recognized the importance of education as a tool to boost progress and make a world a better place. For example, the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations place priority on providing quality education. The administrators of SDG also validate their mission by attesting the number of people that have got out of poverty due to education. Supporters of education suggest that it is the most powerful weapon to bring change and it can help people to do greater good for the world.
Education brings equality to society and allows social mobility regardless of status. Education systems around the world have changed their systems to bring equality among people. An example of this can be the education system in Finland, where there are only one standardized test and all students in the same classrooms and provides extra educational assistance to those who need it. Moreover, private schools in Finland are non-existent. This ensures that students have equal access to education regardless of socioeconomic background. Thus, education is a social leveller and by bringing us closer to equality it makes the world a better place.
Education also empowers people and gives them the power to question those in power. In recent years there have been many student activists’ protests to question the authorities. An example of this can be the students from more than 130 countries, who skipped school for the global climate strike which gained widespread attention. Another notable example can be of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, where students organised protests and rallies against gun violence. The protest aimed to spread awareness about gun violence. Critics might point out that it is idealism that leads to this social change and not education. However, they should not forget that education is the tool that enables them to know about these issues and gives them the courage to stage these protests. Therefore, education makes the world a better place by giving students and youth power to question those in power.
Education, when controlled by governments, can be used as a tool to gain control over people. An example of this can be seen in Indian history, where Lord Macaulay, replaced native texts with English texts and also proclaimed that they wanted to create a class of Indians, that were Indian in race and blood but British in taste and morals. In present times, North Korea uses similar tactics where education is used to brainwash people. The children throughout their education learn about leaders like Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il and their greatness is emphasised in the books. In Pakistan, students are taught that India is the aggressor and they should do everything possible to counter India and its politics. Thus, education makes the world a difficult place to live in when it is used to dominate people.
While education makes the world a better place by bringing equality, rationality and giving power to the voiceless, education can have a negative impact on society when it is used for wrong reasons. Education, when used for wrong purposes, can lead to the subjugation of people. Thus, it is necessary to develop educational systems in a progressive way so that education in all senses makes the world a better place. By and large, education is the most powerful weapon to change the world for the better as it has reduced poverty and brought about greater equality among people.