Acquiring knowledge is only one aspect of learning. In addition, it’s about being able to apply that knowledge to contemporary situations. Let learning inspire you to take action. Being taught by a distinguished guru is always a privilege and something one cherishes. True gurus will correct people when they are heading in the wrong direction with their words and actions
This understanding of the role of a guru stems from the strong conviction of Jim Rohn (1930-2009), an American entrepreneur and motivational speaker, who felt it was the role of a guru to guide people when they are headed in the wrong direction.
Theorizing the correlation between guru status and knowledge itself was a subsequent step. To live a meaningful and action-oriented life for the benefit of humanity is the ultimate aim of learning.
Education’s ultimate goal is not to acquire knowledge. More important is what you do with your life and your attitude towards it. A person’s educational experiences make them more action-oriented and responsive citizens. Living and learning are continuous processes.
Each individual must encounter a variety of issues throughout their lifetime. These issues do not always present themselves in the same way. Being able to handle complex situations and adjust to them will make a person successful. We definitely aren’t looking for just success. It is just a byproduct of our efforts. No matter how well or how poorly we do, we will always receive mixed reactions. Never be discouraged by criticism, and never be taken aback by appreciation.
Having learned this lesson maturely over time is an important lesson in life. There must be such an experience for every mentor, perhaps even a more profound one. Literacy has been associated with reading and writing for a long time. Over the years, different governments in India have implemented flagship programs, and the success of each program was attributable to the government that implemented it.
Complete literacy is a literacy rate higher than 90 percent, according to the National Literacy Mission (NLM). It was for this reason that Kerala was established as the first state to be fully literate. This milestone of being a hundred percent literate state was reached by Kerala on 18th April 1991.
Finland has the highest literacy rate in the world, according to a new study. The UK came in 17th place, behind countries such as the US, Canada, and Australia. The top 10 most literate countries are Finland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the US, Germany, Latvia, and the Netherlands.
Singapore ranked as the most literate country in the Asia-Pacific region in 2018. Youth literacy in the country measured 99.93 percent, beating out countries like China and Brunei. The World’s Most Literate Nations ranks nations based on their “literate behaviors and supporting resources” rather than on their ability to read.
According to the report, all countries were supposed to be examined, using sources including UNESCO and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); however, only 61 countries made the final cut, “because there were no relevant data”
The literacy levels of citizens are a benchmark for this assessment. Although we claimed to be literate, our actions never validated that claim. Often we hear about public lynching, infringement of personal freedom, rape, and intolerance is a growing problem in our society. Not only has it penetrated our courtyards, a place where confrontations occur, it has also penetrated our kitchens, where the majority decides what others should eat. Restrictions are imposed on others in regards to language, what the other person should say, and restrictions imposed on faith, which religion one should follow.
The very act of speaking the truth is deemed a threat to society or even goes as far as anti-national feeling. It’s time to measure one’s literacy by their literate behavior. As educated as we are, we are still far from civilization. The time has come to take stock, individually and collectively. Literacy cannot be restricted to just reading and writing, but also must reflect the citizens’ social responsibility for the development of their fellow citizens.
Learning may lead to action, fulfilling the dreams of visionaries. This action-oriented educational philosophy underlies Ancient Indian Education. Accordingly, in 1986, UNESCO declared that meaningful learning should rest on the following four pillars:
Learning to Know; Learning to Do; Learning to Live Together; and Learning to Be.
Children are the future of any country. A society’s youth is the backbone at its core. Therefore, during the 40th UNESCO General Conference in Paris, the Member States adopted a new UNESCO Strategy for Youth and Adult Literacy (2020-2025). In the next six years, this strategy will guide UNESCO’s efforts around the world to promote youth and adult literacy
Through this strategy, most countries will participate in a sharing of best practices relating to literacy promotion in light of lifelong learning. Additionally, the Strategy focuses on gender equality, as well as the learning needs of marginalized people, such as out-of-school youth, refugees, migrants, and indigenous people who make up part of the 773 million adults worldwide who do not possess basic literacy skills.
This Strategy promotes stronger political will and financial resources in alignment with Sustainable Goal 4 on Education (SDG4) and the Education 2030 Agenda. A multi-pronged strategy should be adopted by UNESCO to promote literacy: Expanding quality education Providing alternative opportunities for out-of-school children, young people and adults enriching literate environments .
Furthermore, I would like to quote Benjamin Franklin, writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, political philosopher, and the founder of the United States: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
What we need for the 21st century is action-oriented learning. For the proper dispensation of qualitative funds for future community development and citizen participation, it is best to invest in knowledge.
Fr.Dr.P.S.Varghese
Principal, MGM College, Dimapur
