Issue essay - Formal education tends to restrain ...

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Formal education tends to restrain our minds and spirits rather than set them free.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

 

That formal education tends to restrain our minds and spirits suggests that an education system which enforces a standard curriculum upon its students hinders their intelligence and will to do good in our world. In other words, formal education hinders creativity which inspires the intelligence and tenacity to innovate. In my opinion, any form of formal learning has to cope with our foibles and embrace them for what they are. Throughout society and in life, the evidence to support my viewpoint is pervasive.

 

Consider the case of Lakeview Elementary, a school part of the formal education system in Harris County, Texas. The school follows a 4 subject course load for all its grade level students. Everyday, children from first to fifth grade study Mathematics, Social Science, Physical Science, and English; they do so during similar if not exact block intervals on a day by day basis. Consequently, children here are not presented the ability to explore their own interests from an early age, and rather succumb to the hackneyed routine given by such a curriculum. Eventually, the opportunity to explore innovation is passed by as these children’s minds become ingrained in their respective teaching environments.

 

Another example is provided by a college student graduating the University of Houston class of 2014. J. Fred Thomassen applied to the school to study Computer Engineering because he realizes such a degree aligns with his interests of computers. While in school, he enjoyed exploring computer architecture delving into the history of such machines and taking courses that align with his interests. He fascinates at the fact of parallel computing and such intrigue freed his mind to explore the topic in depth within the curriculum provided by the college. Ultimately, the openness of the college’s education allowed my friend Fred to enrich his mind and spirit with what he enjoys best.

 

Generally, formal education must, at times, compromise its own virtues for the spirit of individuality embraced by our minds. That formal education provides structure is generally good because students can have some uniform base of education to which other people or even institutions can compare. However, each person has unique interests that should not be hindered by a type of education. Nonetheless, formal education that restricts those people’s minds and spirits to an “approved” list of topics does harm to our society in restraining people’s freedom.

 

Clearly, the examples above show that formal education works best when it allows for our minds and spirits to be set free. When an education enforces its own curriculum upon students, it hinders the chance of such individuals to study what they like. Education works best when there are a set of rules that allows for the uniqueness in our minds and spirits to be embraced upon.