Liberal education
Education is the most important factor behind the progress man has achieved in
this world. It has been the permanent character of human history and evolution of
thought. However, in the past, it used to be prerogative of only a few privileged
men and the pace of development was quite slow. Since it has been disseminated
to common people, there has been rapid growth in every sphere of development:
science, technology, sociology, politics, anthropology, etc. Now it is treated as
basic human right of every man. Though, it encompasses a wide sphere of
knowledge, it has been metamorphosed by man according to his needs. It has
been mainly applied as a tool of economic development, which has limited its
application. Consequently, people are deprived of the potential education offers
for the overall development of personality and stability of society. The chaos in
modern world is also partly due to this fault. Therefore, in order to meet the
multi-dimensional challenges, man faces in the world , it is essential to impart
real education i.e. Liberal education.
The liberal education has been defined in many ways, though emphasizing the
similar essential elements. The best definition is offered by the "association of
american colleges and universities".
"liberal education means to empower an individual and prepare him to deal with
diversity, complexity and change".
As manifest from the definition, the purpose of education is to enable man to
surpass the challenges faced in the world, to know and obtain his rights and to
accommodate himself in the constantly changing environment in the present day
competitive world.
The importance of liberal education in this contemporary globalised world is
greatest than ever before. The world has become so shape d that every economic
and social activity requires modern and advanced means of communication and
technology. The transformation of technological development is on a very fast
, track. There is a demand of more interactive and communica tive manpower to
run this complex system. Moreover, despite the interdependence on each other,
the diversity in different areas is in sharp contrast. Hence, the man is required to
be quite sufficiently prepared to move forward. And the instrument that can
enable him to face these challenges is nothing but liberal education.
This is why the renowned scholar "skarnovey" says: "liberal education: the
developing countries must adopt it as it is a necessity". Nevertheless, it is
essential for every nation but the developed countrie s are already ahead in this
sphere. The developing countries, which are still far behind, need to forge efforts
to transform their education system in order to catch up with the rest of the
world. Not only because it helps in achieving economic development but also
because it fulfills the need of society in every sphere of life.
The sphere of liberal education is wide enough to call it real education.
Basically, education is aimed to develop whole being of a person. It is necessary
to educate man to learn social ethics, cultural values, religious obligations, ways
and means of a stable society and skills of professional competitiveness. Liberal
education, simply, fulfills all these essential needs. It emphasises the
development of a citizen who is professionally capable of living in the society in
civilised way - the way which is not only beneficial to himself alone, but also
fruitful for other members of his family, community and society.
It is best elaborated in the words Of kurth kahin; "liberal education teaches
something about everything and everything about something". His wo rds can be
best understood by contrast to the maxim "jack of all; master of none".
Simultaneously, there are also people who are "jack of none but master of one".
The people, who acquire general education without proficiency in any specific
subject, are explained by the first maxim. While some people who are very
skilled and highly qualified in one field like an engineer, scientist or doctor but
do not know any other subject or field of life; these are referred to the latter
assumption. However, liberal education is a moderate way between both the polar
positions. It is aimed at making a person 'a good professional in any one field'
and also to 'possess knowledge and skills about other important fields'. More
importantly, it makes constructive members of soc iety better described as "jack
of all; master of one".
2
Education is the most important factor behind the progress man has achieved in
this world. It has been the permanent character of human history and evolution of
thought. However, in the past, it used to be prerogative of only a few privileged
men and the pace of development was quite slow. Since it has been disseminated
to common people, there has been rapid growth in every sphere of development:
science, technology, sociology, politics, anthropology, etc. Now it is treated as
basic human right of every man. Though, it encompasses a wide sphere of
knowledge, it has been metamorphosed by man according to his needs. It has
been mainly applied as a tool of economic development, which has limited its
application. Consequently, people are deprived of the potential education offers
for the overall development of personality and stability of society. The chaos in
modern world is also partly due to this fault. Therefore, in order to meet the
multi-dimensional challenges, man faces in the world , it is essential to impart
real education i.e. Liberal education.
The liberal education has been defined in many ways, though emphasizing the
similar essential elements. The best definition is offered by the "association of
american colleges and universities".
"liberal education means to empower an individual and prepare him to deal with
diversity, complexity and change".
As manifest from the definition, the purpose of education is to enable man to
surpass the challenges faced in the world, to know and obtain his rights and to
accommodate himself in the constantly changing environment in the present day
competitive world.
The importance of liberal education in this contemporary globalised world is
greatest than ever before. The world has become so shape d that every economic
and social activity requires modern and advanced means of communication and
technology. The transformation of technological development is on a very fast
, track. There is a demand of more interactive and communica tive manpower to
run this complex system. Moreover, despite the interdependence on each other,
the diversity in different areas is in sharp contrast. Hence, the man is required to
be quite sufficiently prepared to move forward. And the instrument that can
enable him to face these challenges is nothing but liberal education.
This is why the renowned scholar "skarnovey" says: "liberal education: the
developing countries must adopt it as it is a necessity". Nevertheless, it is
essential for every nation but the developed countrie s are already ahead in this
sphere. The developing countries, which are still far behind, need to forge efforts
to transform their education system in order to catch up with the rest of the
world. Not only because it helps in achieving economic development but also
because it fulfills the need of society in every sphere of life.
The sphere of liberal education is wide enough to call it real education.
Basically, education is aimed to develop whole being of a person. It is necessary
to educate man to learn social ethics, cultural values, religious obligations, ways
and means of a stable society and skills of professional competitiveness. Liberal
education, simply, fulfills all these essential needs. It emphasises the
development of a citizen who is professionally capable of living in the society in
civilised way - the way which is not only beneficial to himself alone, but also
fruitful for other members of his family, community and society.
It is best elaborated in the words Of kurth kahin; "liberal education teaches
something about everything and everything about something". His wo rds can be
best understood by contrast to the maxim "jack of all; master of none".
Simultaneously, there are also people who are "jack of none but master of one".
The people, who acquire general education without proficiency in any specific
subject, are explained by the first maxim. While some people who are very
skilled and highly qualified in one field like an engineer, scientist or doctor but
do not know any other subject or field of life; these are referred to the latter
assumption. However, liberal education is a moderate way between both the polar
positions. It is aimed at making a person 'a good professional in any one field'
and also to 'possess knowledge and skills about other important fields'. More
importantly, it makes constructive members of soc iety better described as "jack
of all; master of one".
2
