Getting down to essentials of education

The second point is a direct corollary of the first. The traditional norm of health addressed only the physical aspect, but the new norm accepts that physical, mental and spiritual health are intertwined. Each of us has a different physique and we differ in terms of physical strength and mental power. Some people are born with physical deficiencies or are handicapped by accidents or diseases, but among them some remain happy and achieve success. Besides familial support and social welfare, their own healthy mindset and strong spirit guarantee their happiness.

There is one thing we can do. It is to lead and guide our students in such a way that they have a faith and belief in themselves, and that from this they could draw the kind of spiritual resources they need for daily cleansing of thought and strengthening of heart.

Thirdly, teach students that learning is a lifelong habit, interest and ability. In this age when the outlets of communication are bursting with new information every minute, the knowledge a teacher can impart is nothing more than a drop of water in a vast ocean. Besides imparting the most up-to-date knowledge, teachers can do better to set an example of continuous learning, thus imparting the crucial message to students that it is the key to whatever they want to do in the future.

Over the years, many graduates have complained that the knowledge they learned in school was not applicable to their job, or quickly became irrelevant or out-of-date. But many other graduates who land jobs unrelated to their majors have achieved remarkable career success. Their experience is summed up in one word: learning. Those who get good grades at all levels of education may fall behind after graduation if they stop learning, while those who maintain a strong interest and motivation to learn at all times tend to do well in whatever they do.

Actually, this is not a new norm in developed countries. A retired US schoolteacher said something to me many years ago that has stayed with me: "Don't worry too much about whether what you take in college is relevant to your future career. Your prospective boss is going to value the fact that you have the ability to go through a certain level of education, which is sufficient proof that you have the ability to learn, and he will be more interested to know whether you are prepared to continue learning on the job."

Sound mental and physical health, a firm belief in oneself and the ability and willingness to learn are obviously among the essentials of education in this new era. Equipped with such essentials, students should be better prepared to respond to the challenges of the future.

The author is a professor in the school of journalism and communication at Xiamen University.

(China Daily 10/08/2011 page5)