By The Editor
To many people, from the political leaders and planners at the top down to the lowest level at the bottom, development and progress means roads, bridges, hospitals, shopping complexes, etc. but none can ignore that education is most fundamental that plays vital role the absence of which may lead to oblivion. Different civilizations in history down the ages had flourished due to education and its scholars, be it the ancient Greeks or Romans, Hebrews, Chinese, Indians, etc. Education does not mean merely knowledge, that is formal education, but also about life and its environment as well as other activities for maintaining health of body, mind and spirit, that is informal health. First university in the world was started in Athens, Greece by Plato one of the greatest Greek philosophers. At the initial stage, school opened by Plato was known as Academy because it was in a grove sacred to the hero Academus and it remained active for nearly 1,000 years. In ancient India Gurukul system prevailed in which young pupils stayed with learned sages for years until they were fully equipped with necessary knowledge, both formal and informal before finally graduating.
On Sunday January 22, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stressed on importance of government schools and thereby maintaining standard and quality aiming to be the best in the world so that students from abroad will be attracted to come to Delhi for education. Quite a number of qualified teachers from India had been to foreign countries for training and these are great assets to the nation. During inter-action Kejriwal assured them that he will keep sending teachers abroad adding that they have support of people of Delhi and the country. Such qualified and foreign-trained teachers are rich treasures to the nation which the state and the nation as well will greatly benefit. Hence such exercises are not expenditures but investment which in the end will bring rich dividends. John M. Mason said, “The aim of education should be to convert the mind into a living fountain, and not a reservoir. That which is filled by merely pumping in will be emptied by pumping out.”
Not only in Meghalaya but throughout the country, educational institutions operated and
managed by private organizations including Christian missionaries are comparatively better than those of government. Political leaders therefore are expected to bear this in mind and to consequently pay more interest and attention to education in future. In fact, different political parties cannot just pay lip service but to prioritize education sector in their election manifestos. Every child is endowed with special gift by the Creator which need not be same like others. During early childhood years in school sincere teachers can help children to understand and know their talents and values so that they can grow and prosper in years to come. Parents and guardians too cannot take their children and wards for granted.