Yes. They are not the same.
What’s the difference then?
Before we see the difference and what Education is about, let’s see what Education is not about. It is not just about learning to read and write. It’s also not just about studying the syllabus and giving exams so you are job ready some day. All this is academics. People sometimes are so confused with the real meaning that the two words – Education and Academics are used interchangeably. The truth is THERE IS MORE TO EDUCATION THAN JUST ACADEMICS.
The simple formula that I use to teach my students the difference between the two words is
Education = Academics + Personal Development
Academics is not equal to education. Academics is a part of education. It is the subset. That being said, every component of the above formula is as important as the other. We all pay so much attention to academics. We send our children to the best school, we make sure they get to learn from the best teachers. Which is absolutely right. But what we sometimes fail to see is the other part of the equation i.e. the Personal Development aspect.
Do U agree that life throws many challenges at us at different times and in different forms? If yes, do U think academics alone is sufficient to sail through those challenges? I am sure it’s not. So why don’t we put enough emphasis on developing those skills in our children that are the actual life savers?
Life is an interesting combination of MIND, BODY, HEART and SOUL. And all of these have to be equally nurtured so a human being beautifully transits to ‘being human’. Aristotle rightly said, “ Educating your mind without educating your heart in no education at all”. Unless the education makes you a good human being, it is of no use. Life is more about how many lives you touch than just your academic ranks at school and college.
Education does not take away the challenges what life has to offer. But it will definitely equip you with most of if not all the tools required to handle them with ease and grace. There is no end to education. Educating oneself is as important to a 70 year old as it is to a 10 year old.
Remember, education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.
