What should education be 'for'?

[Blandmum]

Following on from some thought provoking HE vs Schooling discussions and the fact that the government now wants shools to teach manners.

What is education 'for'?

What do you feel is a priority?

Anyone with an opinion, what do you think?

oh i always have an opinion....
I hope that early education promotes a lifelong love of learning and a curiosity about the world and our place in it.
I think that the introduction of citizenship into the curriculum was a good idea, but, as so often happens, has been watered down due to lack of time etc.
I, personally , think that manners are important, not a priority and not to be confused with unquestioning conformity, but still desirable. At ds school they promote a 'traditional' education - this involves opening doors, filing in silence along corridors, stnding up when an adult comes in. this imo is a good thing.

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My 3yo DTS are at nursery.

When we go out, they say "line up at the door".

When we sit down for dinner they say "must wait for Daddy to sit down".

When I tell them off, they recognise that they have exceeded the boundary that we have set.

So for me, education is far more than teaching a child how to read, write and imbibe facts. It is about preparing them to take their place in society as responsible adults:

who are cognizant of others around them

who observe social protacol such as saying please and thank you

who recognise that sometimes their needs/wants are not always or immediately addressed

who will eventually understand that actions lead to consequences (good and bad) and

who will ultimately learn that they will be accountable and responsible for their behaviour, actions and the ensuing consequences.

For getting a job that nets you a decent living.

Sorry, but I have an artsy-fartsy degree because of my 'love of learning' and I really wish I'd been steered more towards getting something that was going to keep food on the table a little better.

Hmm. Education is to open doors. When my children get older, it is my greatest hope that they can pursue any dream they want. Whether they want to be a doctor or a plumber, an artist or a musician, a minister or a mailman, I am okay with it as long as they are happy. Educating your children now gives them more opportunities later.

Manners is part of socializing which is once again a tool to opening future doors.

I always liked DS's Junior School motto: Grow in Grace.
It says it all really.

IMO education should give the learner the ability to live independently from their parents/carers & be a useful & happy member of society.

In terms of priority, I would say that any skill that allows further learning or understanding is important. So reading, writing, comprehension, basic numeracy, knowing how to use a PC etc are musts in my eyes.

Hmm, Terramum puts it best so far, I think, with 'useful and happy member of society'.
Perhaps add to that something about enabling them to make the most of their talents and abilities (as if someone has amazing musical talent it would be a bit of a shame if their education only fitted them to be a floor sweeper, even if it also conditioned them to enjoy sweeping floors).

I think it varies between children and schools.

I see my job as an educator in my school as giving them choices in later life, that has certainly been what I have gained from my education.

Yes, I agree with the point about giving opportunities and opening doors.
I also like to think of schools as a microcosm of society where they learn to exist alongside other people in a civilised way. They learn tolerance and respect, empathy and compassion.
So teaching manners....well maybe reinforcing manners taught at home. They should come from the home first imo but yes on principle.