Nelson Mandela And His Vision Of Education
We all know and value the figure of Nelson Mandela, a South African lawyer, activist and politician who decided to dedicate his life to fighting for a better world in which all people could be free and live together in peace, away from racism and inequality.
His contributions to the social good were so many that the United Nations General Assembly declared July 18 International Nelson Mandela Day, coinciding with the date of his birth.
We are talking about one of the most important and influential leaders in modern history, who left us multiple lessons that we should reflect on even today. Do you want to know what this wise man thought about education? Coming up next, we tell you.
Nelson Mandela and his vision of education
Nelson Mandela defended education as one of the most important things for society to function, improve and advance. Therefore, every child, regardless of where they live, has the right to receive a quality education that allows them to develop and grow as a person to become an adult with the ability to contribute something to the community.
But, for this, it is not necessary to focus only on the merely academic, but to give the little ones an education based on values such as equality, inclusion, respect, collaboration, etc.
In addition, according to Mandela’s vision, it is essential to teach children to think for themselves, critically and reflectively, because only in this way will the new generations be able to avoid the mistakes of the past.
Some of his famous phrases
The aforementioned can be seen reflected in some of Nelson Mandela’s most popular phrases:
- “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. “
- “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, the son of a miner can become the head of the mine, or the son of agricultural workers can become president of a great nation. “
- “Without education, children cannot face the challenges they will encounter. So it is very important to give children an education and explain that they should play a role in their country ”.
- “Only the education of the masses can liberate the people. An educated man cannot be oppressed if he is able to think for himself.
- “We owe our children a life free of violence and fear. “
- “No country can really develop until its citizens are educated.”
- “There can be no more intense revelation of the soul of a society than the way its children are treated.”
Apply Nelson Mandela’s teachings today
Today we are supposed to live in a modern and advanced society in which many social problems have disappeared. However, and unfortunately, this is not the case. Much remains to be done so that everyone can live in peace and harmony, and enjoy their human rights.
To achieve this goal, it is important that families and schools apply and take the teachings of Nelson Mandelas seriously. So that children grow up internalizing certain civic and social values and enjoying a quality education in which positive coexistence, inclusion and mutual respect prevail.
We know that the new generations are the future. Therefore, from the first years of life, they must be taught to take advantage of the resources they have to make this world a better world.
