What do we mean when we mention education and training
in relation to our current and future generations? How should we teach
our values to new generations and who is to undertake this sacred duty?
We have to find the answers to these questions if we are to deal with
matters related to the education of our future generations.
A system of education without a clearly defined target and purpose will
only serve to confuse future generations. We have to be careful that our
youth is taught the proper material in an effective manner to ensure
that they are actually learning rather than simply becoming conduits of
data.
The social structure of a nation is closely related to the importance it
places on the education of its populace. The education of the current
generation is especially crucial as they will become the educators of
following generations and will share with their students the knowledge
they have acquired as part of their own education and experiences. It is
vital for the society and morality of a society that its values are
transmitted to its younger generation in the process of their learning
experience. Value transmission is best possible in a successful
marriage, which thus makes family an important educational institution, a
vital one for the continued existence of a nation. Those nations which
fail to establish the institution of marriage on sound and essential
values without regard to the spiritual and moral condition of their
society are doomed to extinction.
The development of individuals is strongly influenced by other
individuals, dominant customs and traditions, and more importantly by
their parents. Similarly governments have a strong influence and
authority over the different parts of its populace.
A nation that effectively utilizes their resources is closely aligned
with the thoughts, concepts, and culture of the individuals who make up
the society and with the prudence, foresight, and sincere devotion of
those in power. The administrators that are responsible for the level of
care given to individuals and their efforts toward becoming a social
entity will be an indication of how closely aligned they are with the
prophetic principle that "All of you are shepherds, and all of you are
responsible for those under your care" and that "being glad with making
others' happy instead of self concerns."
Those who are responsible for educating future generations - no matter
under what title they do it - should never forget the importance of
this. As members of society we try to do whatever it takes to ensure the
best possible future for our children by doing everything in our power
and overcoming any and all difficulties so that our children are not
deprived of anything as we try to prepare a world like Paradise for
them. Will it not be a waste of all our efforts if we fail to elevate
them to the level of morality and virtue, the capital of true value, if
we cannot elevate them to a state of satisfaction, having acquired
consciousness and culture? The nations who obtain this capital will have
gained a mysterious key to the treasures of the world. On the contrary,
the masses that have not elevated to the level of such a cultivation
and understanding will lose their first struggle for social life in the
future and be knocked out at the first round.
If the new generations' minds are equipped with the sciences of their
time and their hearts are not lit up with breezes from beyond and if
they are provided with an ample education, with all their needs
fulfilled and all opportunities available for them to succeed then they
can look forward to a bright future. These future generations will be
able to stand up to every kind of obstacle in the struggle of life, they
will be able to overcome - material or spiritual - every kind of
difficulty and will never give in to despair. All the hardships that we
will have encountered along the way in providing our children with a
better education will have been worth it.
As for the unfortunate ones who are deprived of this consciousness will
waste away the inheritance they received from their fathers, spiritually
as well, they will lead an unstable and pessimistic life, and then
perish between the ferocious teeth of misery.
The authorities today, who are at the crossroads of elevating their
children to the level of humanity or leaving them to be beasts in human
form, have to think the responsibility on their shoulders heavier than
mountains and find more profound and consistent cures against the decays
brought by years-long neglects. Otherwise, the unfortunate generations
who lost the most precious ores of their being in the unknown seas for
thousands of times through different erosions will completely lose their
ability to germinate and they will become completely barren, never be
able to find existence with their own essence, and never reach the glory
of the past again.
Via Fountain Magazine (By : M. Fetullah Gulen)
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