Introduction
Education has been a key component in society for a long time. While there are both formal and informal types of education, the end products are usually acceptable since they positively contribute toward the well-being of members of society. This paper explores the effects of education in society with a cross-reference to Japan and the Gulf region.
Background
Brief History of Education
It has been an age-long practice for individual communities and societies to pass their skills, methods, traditions, and stock of values from one generation to another. This has been achieved through various ways (Hebert 86). For instance, both socialization and enculturation have been employed in the past to transfer societal values.
It is also profound to note that oral traditions were a critical part of informal education used by ancient civilizations. However, the growing demand for better knowledge and skills needed in managing challenges in life led to the gradual adoption of a formal curriculum of education. Advanced training has supplemented the formal basic or elementary education. For instance, the desire to excel in fields such as entrepreneurship, science, and technology has been precipitated by formal education (Platt 970-973).
Forms of education
There are two major forms of education in modern society. These are formal and informal education. However, informal education is partly practiced especially among communities that still cherish certain stock of values.
Societal concerns
Modern society is heavily dependent on contemporary skills and knowledge to expedite both economic and social growth. Also, there has been concern over the nature of governance being adopted across the world by various societies (Ibrahim 18). In other words, there is growing concern about the quality of education offered in various countries. It has been found out that the rate of economic growth is directly proportional to the nature of education offered to the population.
Problems Related to Lack of Education in Society
Lack of civilization
A segment of the population or society that lacks adequate formal and informal education is highly likely to lag in terms of civilization. An educated society is generally organized and can co-exist peacefully and mutually with others. Besides, both formal and informal educations eradicate extreme levels of arrogance that often leads to the poor citizens of a community (William et al 82).
Poor economic development
As already mentioned, education is required to hasten the rate of economic development in any given society. For instance, skills, knowledge, and technical competencies are key parameters needed to develop an economy. These qualities can only be obtained through a streamlined education process. Moreover, factors such as Gross Domestic Product, the balance of payment, exchange rate variations, and their effects on economic growth can only be understood and articulated by educated minds.
Poor development of cultural/social/political aspects
The cultural, political, and social domains in society are indeed critical in advancing the well being of any given population. For example, politics touches on the governance of a society. It is understood that articulate administrative structures are required in the process of governance (Platt 972). This cannot be attained in the absence of education. Besides, the cultural values and social aspects of any population can be championed well under the confines of education.
Economic and Political Effects of Education in Society
The agricultural revolution and hence adequate food supply
Knowledge and skills required to boost agricultural production can only be obtained through a well-defined system of education (Koterski 62). It can be recalled that the agrarian revolution of the 19th century was made possible by new farming methods that were adopted by farmers. For example, mechanization was introduced. This explains why food production and subsequent food security can be guaranteed when a knowledge-based system is applied in agriculture.
Protection of the environment and the entire ecosystem
An educated society can be easily sensitized to the importance of protecting the immediate environment through awareness creation. Through an elaborate awareness program, it is possible to instill the values of environmental protection to a population that is educated compared to the one that is partially or fully illiterate (Ibrahim 22-30).
Good governance
Political systems are part and parcel of governance in society. Education is the key pillar towards strong administrative skills required in a society. Although good governance may sometimes be an issue of morality, formal education can come in handy especially when advancing social norms and the expected stock of values.
Social cohesion and mutual co-existence
Formal and informal systems of education often foster social cohesion and mutual co-existence among individuals living in any particular society. Education unites people and also strengthens family ties especially when individuals work as teams to attain certain goals.
Comparing Japan and the Gulf Region
When the Chinese culture was adopted in Japan during the sixth century, it ushered in a new era of formal education in Japan. Currently, both the lower secondary and elementary levels are mandatory in Japan (Hebert 42). Although private schools exist, public education facilities are mostly embraced by several Japanese families especially at the lower levels. The figure below shows the schooling system in Japan.
In the gulf region, both formal and informal education has been in existence for a long. However, comparative education has not been fully established in the region bearing in mind that fewer people have undergone training in this field. The system of education begins from the elementary to the university level (Platt 976).
Recommendations
Mandatory basic education for all children
All children who have attained the age of going to school should be allowed to do so through a mandatory process. As such, legislation should be enacted to make sure that all children attain basic education at the proper age.
Subsidize the cost of education at all levels
National governments should take charge and chip in toward making the cost of education affordable. This will allow poor communities to send their children to schools up to higher levels without being impeded by the related costs (Ibrahim 53).
Community awareness on the relevance of education
Society at large should be sensitized to the values attached to education. Community awareness programs can be used to highlight the importance of taking children to school.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that education is paramount towards the well being of individuals and society at large. An educated society enjoys several benefits such as good governance, sustained economic growth, environmental protection as well as social cohesion, and mutual co-existence. Therefore, there is a need to embrace the importance of educating individuals in modern societies.
Works Cited
Hebert, David. Wind Bands and Cultural Identity in Japanese Schools. Boston, MA: Springer press, 2011. Print.
Ibrahim, Ali. Comparative Education in the Gulf: In Search of a Foothold. Abu Dhabi: United Arab Emirates University Press, 2012. Print.
Koterski, Joseph. Medieval Education. New York: Fordham University Press, 2005. Print.
Platt, Brian. Japanese Childhood, Modern Childhood: The Nation-State, the School, and 19th-Century Globalization. Journal of Social History 38(2005): 965-985. Print.
William Theodore de de Bary, Donald Keene, George Tanabe and Paul Varley. Sources of Japanese Tradition (Vol. 2). New York: Columbia University Press, 2005. Print.