How+education+forms+society

"A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains it's original dimensions" -Anonymous

Education is important when forming a society because it allows society to be healthy, aware, and prepared.

Education is the starting point for every human activity. Although its reported that 100% of college graduates make more money than high school graduates, a school education is not the only form of education that one should acquire. It is misinterpreted that education in a classroom is the most important knowledge that you can attain but sometimes the lessons learned in life and in society are equally as important. It is uncommon and not required in the Middle East to receive an education. It is not even an option unless you have a high social status, you are a male, or you belong to a wealthy family. In the book, __The Reluctant Fundamentalist__ by Mohsin Hamid, Changez the main character goes to America to pursue an education at Princeton. One of the main reasons he was able to do so was because of his well off family and his gender. Also, in the movie Osama, the little girl Osama has the privilege of going to school because she poses as a male. As soon as her identity is revealed she is sent away. When Osama went to school she was taught directly from the Koran and recieved miltary training.

"Education can help children see beyond a world of ate and hopelessness to one of unlimited opportunity. Education helps free the min d from ignorance and bigotry. Education unleashes the creative contributions of every citizens, to improve their own lives and to build the common good. Education benefits all and education should be available to all." -Laura Bush (World Economic Forum meeting in Jordan)

Surprisingly the Middle East is finally taking a step towards freedom. Electing governments in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestinian Territories, even women are given the right to vote for the first time. Freedom equals opportunity but how is it that they can seek opportunity when more than seventy-five million women and more than forty-five million men are illiterate. There are fewer than 18 computers for every 1,000 people, compared to the 400 for every 1,000 people in high-income nations.

Society in the Middle East has an imense amount of knowledge on the Koran and military training but very little knowledge on basic education like reading, writing, problem solving, and critical thinking. The education provided in these schools is not enough to keep up with the fast paced economy. Perhaps this is why Middle Eastern society differs from the U.S. so much. Better education in the Middle East could ultimately lead to economic progress, entrepreneurship and civil society.

"The investment in education - which has been also higher in this region... than other regions in the world - have not had a big impact on the economy in terms of economic growth or in terms of creating employment," said Mourad Ezzine, the World Bank's regional education chief. "And this is where much of the effort in the future needs to be directed."

Bibliography: Hamid, Mohsin. __The Reluctant Fundamentalist__. Harcourt, UK : Hamish Hamilton, 2007.

__Osama__ Siddiq Barmak, MGM Studios, July 2003

"Education In The Middle East ". Voice of America. April 27, 2008 http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/archive/2005-06/2005-06-06-voa1.cfm

Links: http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-02/2008-02-05-voa45.cfm?CFID=286599063&CFTOKEN=72368795 __ [|http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/04/a-us-export-tha.html __]