Education plays a key role in both the empowerment of individuals and the progress of our communities. As we observe the International Day of Education on January 24th, it is timely to view the progress made towards providing education to all.
While there have been many efforts internationally towards providing universal education, according to the data released by UNICEF: “244 million children and youth between the ages of 6 and 18 worldwide are still out of school”.
Emphasizing the importance of providing education to everyone, the Universal House of Justice, the governing council of the Bahá’í international community states: “The cause of universal education deserves the utmost support that the governments of the world can lend it. For ignorance is indisputably the principal reason for the decline and fall of peoples and the perpetuation of prejudice. No nation can achieve success unless education is accorded all its citizens”.
Education is a basic human right, and it is also a necessity for individuals to be able to enjoy the full range of other human rights.
The founder of the Bahá’í Faith, “… Bahá’u’lláh considered education as one of the most fundamental factors of a true civilization. This education, however, in order to be adequate and fruitful, should be comprehensive in nature and should take into consideration not only the physical and the intellectual side of man but also his spiritual and ethical aspects”.
Both spiritual and intellectual education are required for our children to realize their full potential, and to be able to contribute to the development of our communities.
“The proper education of children is of vital importance to the progress of mankind, and the heart and essential foundation of all education is spiritual and moral training”, state the Bahá’í Writings.
Through effective guidance, our children can be empowered to override the needs of their lower nature in keeping with ethical requirements, to control and channel their natural drives and urges, and transform them into human perfections.
The type of education we provide for our children should make it possible for them to function effectively in an integrated world. It should be the kind of education which will enable them to live in harmony and peace, in an atmosphere of understanding, and respect for others.
Emphasizing the importance of education in promoting peace, the Universal House of Justice says: “In keeping with the requirements of the times, consideration should also be given to teaching the concept of world citizenship as part of the standard education of every child”.
Furthermore, education should empower our children and youth to express their God-given talents and capacities in service to humanity. When children learn to serve the best interests of their families, their community and humanity, then education contributes not only to their individual growth, but also towards the creation of just and peaceful societies.
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