WHO IS EDUCATED?

By the definition of Microsoft® Encarta® 2008, Education refers to the imparting and acquiring of knowledge through teaching and learning, especially at a school or similar institution.

Sitting through a Comparative Politics lecture, Dr. Baah defined the educated as that person with the ability to reason out innovative solutions to the plight of the needy and society at large. Moreover, the educated person must have rich imagination since Education seeks to equip an individual with variety of possibilities.

Act 80 Section 2 of the law which established the KNUST states “The aims of the University shall be to provide higher education, to undertake research, to disseminate knowledge and to foster relationships with outside persons and bodies.”

Again, section 2(d) of the Act 80 states “that students should be taught methods of critical and independent thought, while being made aware that they have a responsibility to use their education for the general benefit.”

Sadly and contrary to the above, the essence of being educated is limited to a few aspects of the Education process i.e. obtaining a 'first class', or the ability to facsimile what one has been shown or thought.

Referencing the meaning of education above; education is imparting knowledge. By this, for a person to be referred to as educated, he or she must demonstrate to a greater extent the ability to impart the knowledge he has acquired. For one to learn all that there is in the world and yet is unable to impart to the next generation or his neighbors, he then must revise his stance lest be categorized as UNEDUCATED.

To be called EDUCATED, one must be able to yield to the acquisition of more knowledge. The ability of a person to submit to tutorial is a crucial determinant to be referred to as EDUCATED. By the fact that education and information is not static but progressively dynamic, the educated must always be up to date on happenings around him or her. Conclusively, to be referred to as EDUCATED, one must be 'current' with information.

To be referred to as educated, one must deliberately acquire knowledge. The fact that education is acquired in a conscious manner is indicative that it is often acquired in a defined set up or environment although not always.

The ability of a person to control his/her emotions is also a sign of being EDUCATED. Many a time persons deemed educated yield to the dictate of their emotions and misbehave. E.g. why should an educated person be engaged in a public fight?

Most importantly, the mark of being educated is the ability of a person to be critical in reason and promptly think out solutions to problems to the benefit of society.

In conclusion, the next time it dawns on you to worry about your 'average' or your stance on the education ladder, critically examine the rudiments or fiber optic of education and be assured that there is not a limit to the acquisition of knowledge, rather it's our demonstration of the knowledge acquired that is imperative.

Paul Obeng Atiemo
KNUST