The reform of education - the way ahead

When president-elect Donald Trump announced the reform of the Department of Education, I was thrilled. Why? Because I think something is fundamentally wrong with the things they have been teaching kids at school.

According to the UN the purpose of education is 'to promote the full development of the human personality and to strengthen respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.'

Although there is nothing wrong with that purpose in itself, we have to ask serious questions about the welfare, stability, and overall well-being of the current younger generation. For many, it can be described as 'major confusion'.

First responsibility

Of course, parents have the first responsibility to teach their children well. I love the way Israel's king Solomon put emphasis on his proverbs, which were basically his teachings to the following generations! He wrote:

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair (Proverbs 1:2-3).

A healthy generation

Promoting the full development of the human personality is not the same as helping people to actually do what is right, just, and fair. We can blame the government for failing to bring forth a healthy generation, but I believe Christians have often made the same mistake.

We have promoted Christianity maybe, but very often not walked the talk. In our efforts to have a good theology, we have often forgotten to practice the basic lessons.

Timeless biblical wisdom

Let's read on in the first chapter of the Book of Proverbs (verses 4-6):

These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.

I look forward to a remake of education and it is my hope the new curriculum will be based on timeless biblical wisdom. 

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Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline

[Proverbs 1:7]

➤For more on the benefits of wisdom, read my book 'MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE'