Abstract:

Education finds itself under constant pressure and threatened by technological disruptions. Simultaneously, it stands as one of the most established and stable foundations of Western democracies. Unfortunately, in my opinion, discussions about education often remain superficial. This results in suboptimal decisions, misguided efforts, and a decline in educational standards and societal well-being. This pattern is evident in recent debates surrounding the emergence of large language models like ChatGPT.

I believe the root cause is a misunderstanding of education's role in society. Drawing from over ten years of study and practical experience as a student, teacher, school founder, and advisor to policymakers, I wish to present my thoughts on the multifaceted role of education in democratic societies.

I propose that education assumes three primary roles in democratic societies. Firstly, it strives to impart insight and understanding into how the world functions. This involves acquiring skills that enable individuals to engage meaningfully with the world, encompassing content knowledge in subjects such as mathematics, geography, languages, and history. It also emphasizes meta-cognitive skills, teaching individuals how to learn so that the pursuit of knowledge extends beyond institutional education. Understanding operates at both a meta-level and an attitudinal level—for instance, comprehending complex topics that defy easy understanding. Mathematics and Latin, in this context, play similar foundational roles by focusing on principles and mechanisms underlying observable phenomena.

Secondly, education plays a crucial role in empowering learners to shape their aspirations and turn them into reality. This empowerment extends to personal fulfilment, professional development, and societal change. Soft skills are integral to this role, emphasizing teamwork, creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and investigative skills. The ability to articulate opinions persuasively and decompose significant problems is paramount. Proficiency in subjects like math and Latin, again, contributes to a similar goal, building students' confidence and experience in tackling complex issues.

Thirdly, education fosters empathy by promoting mutual understanding and creating cohesion in society. This involves transmitting societal values through mentoring and explicit instruction in areas like history, culturally relevant subjects, linguistic roots like Latin, literature, and values that contribute to societal happiness and a strong social fabric.

In this paper, I will give concrete examples of how these different roles need to be considered when making judgements about education, including the impact of technology on teaching and learning.

Keywords:

Education, policy, technology.