Why bother?

Education: Why bother?

A. Think about these questions.

1. Make a list of the different places in which you have been educated so far in your life? How many are there? How long did you spend in each one?

3. Can you be educated without going to university?

4. Can you be educated without going to school?

B.

Read the passage quickly to answer the questions.

Which people does education help?

Education, more than ever before, is an important issue all over the world. If a country wants to develop, it must take education seriously. But what do we mean by education? Here is a general definition which tells us what education is and what it is for:

‘Education means acquiring the knowle and skills that will help a person to develop himself, earn his living and contribute to the development and prosperity of society.'

According to the definition, education helps us to know things (knowledge) and to be able to do things (skills). The reason for education is to help us develop as people, to earn money for ourselves and our families and also to help the people around us.

What is this section about?

The important question is, of course: How do we do this? Many people think of education as formal education - going to school, university, educational institutions. Formal education is very important because in our modern society we need people with specialist skills such as engineers, scientists and technicians. The fastest and simplest way for these people to get their knowledge is through formal education.

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Yet even today, many people, both young and old do not go to school or university. We have to remember that a lot of knowledge and many skills are passed on from one person to another informally. The person who made the clothes you are wearing or the chair you are sitting on, or who repaired the bus you came to school in - all of them have acquired knowledge and skills. They use what they have learned to earn their living and also to help you! Yet many of them may not have gone to school

There are also many examples of people who have become writers, scientists, engineers even leaders of their country without ever going to school! These people are self-taught and have made the effort to find the books and other materials they need and learn by themselves. This takes a lot of time and patience and determination. For most of us - it is easier to go to school!

C. Now read the passage again carefully to answer these questions.

1. Make a list of all the advantages of education mentioned in the passage.

2. Formal education is one type of education mentioned in the passage. What are the other two types of education?

3. What are the differences between these three types of education?

D. Discuss these questions.

1. Is it necessary to have formal education in order to be useful in society? Give reasons for your answer.

2. Why do some people choose not to go to school?

3. The passage says that being self-taught... 'takes a lot of time and patience and determination. For most of us - it is easier to go to school!" Do you agree with this statement? ·

2 Success Story: Abdalla Ragab

A. Before you read tell the class what you already know about Abdalla Ragab.

B. Read the passage then answer the questions below.

Abdalla Ragab was one of the most famous popular Sudanese journalists. He was fluent in

The important question is, of course: How do we do this?