Baha’is see the young as the most precious treasure a community can possess. In them are the promise and guarantee of the future. Yet, in order for this promise to be realised, children need to receive spiritual nourishment, such as can be found in the children’s classes happening all around the world.
A classroom in Battambang, Cambodia (Photo: Baha’i World Centre)
Education is a fundamental right to which every child is entitled. An education is fundamental to the development of individuals and their continued wellbeing. It allows individuals to realize their full human capacities and to live rich and meaningful lives. Beyond that, however, education also has the potential to shape entire communities.
This reality was reflected in the global community’s observance of the International Day of Peace, just a week ago. This year’s International Day of Peace is the “Right of Peoples to Peace”, and interestingly enough, the theme of the observance last year was “Education for Peace”. As the day was observed around the world, the United Nations urged countries to invest in the education of their children and youth. In particular, governments were directed to provide the type of education that fosters tolerance, encourages diversity and allows for children to become global citizens.
In doing so, the United Nations made a profound statement on the role that education plays not just in the attainment of a lasting international peace, but also with regards to the wellbeing of humanity as a whole. Furthermore, the statement made also spoke to a grander vision for education as being more than just the acquisition of academic skills such as literacy and numeracy.
As I read this statement, I was reminded of a quote by Abdu’l-Baha that, to me, encapsulates the Baha’i approach to education:
Training in morals and good conduct is far more important than book learning. A child that is cleanly, agreeable, of good character, well-behaved – even though he be ignorant – is preferable to a child that is rude, unwashed, ill-natured, and yet becoming deeply versed in all the science and arts. The reason for this is that the child who conducts himself well, even though he be ignorant, is of benefit to others, while an ill-natured, ill-behaved child is corrupted and harmful to others, even though he be learned. If, however, the child be trained to be both learned and good, the result is light upon light.1
Light Upon Light
According to this approach to education, children – and humanity, in general – are likened to a mine rich in gems, with innate virtues and great potentialities. This capacity can only be realised through education. The role of adults and educators is not, then, as providers of knowledge, but as facilitators in a lifelong process of learning that is largely self-directed.
While the pursuit of academic knowledge is important, a greater emphasis is placed on the development of virtues of character, with the belief that a child that has the opportunity for both will be “light upon light”. Such a child will be resilient in adversity – capable of steering their own course while emerging as a leader to his or her own community and acting as an agent of change.
The Importance of Education
We live in a world that still doesn’t value education enough as it should. Nations all over the world still routinely invest far more in warfare than they do in education. Even in a world where human rights instruments demand an education for every child, numerous children go without an education, particularly in situations where they are required to contribute to the family income. Even in countries where most children are fortunate enough to have access to a basic education, the value of an education is determined according to the economic payoffs of a future career – a lesser emphasis is placed on the pursuit of knowledge and the love for learning.
In the Baha’i writings, a holistic and spiritual education is emphasized in no uncertain terms.
Education is of three kinds: material, human and spiritual. Material education is concerned with the progress and development of the body, through gathering its sustenance, its material comfort and ease… Human education signifies civilisation and progress: that is to say, government, administration, charitable works, trades, arts and handicrafts, sciences, great inventions and discoveries, and elaborate institutions… Divine education is that of the Kingdom of God: it consists in acquiring divine perfections, and this is true education…2
Universal education is described as a “universal law” which is meant to end the ignorance and barriers of separation among mankind caused by a lack of education. It is seen as being vital not just to the development of individuals, but of humanity as a whole.
The primary, the most urgent requirement is the promotion of education. It is inconceivable that any nation should achieve prosperity and success unless this paramount, this fundamental concern is carried forward.3
The importance of education is underscored by what the Baha’i writings have to say about the station of parents as educators as providers of a spiritual education for children.
Parents are given this sacred duty of raising their child:
Give them (the children) the advantage of every useful kind of knowledge. Let them share in every new and rare and wondrous craft and art. Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to dedicate their lives to matters of great import, and inspire them to undertake studies that will benefit mankind.4
An interesting feature of the Baha’i teachings is that parents are instructed to educate girls in preference to boys. This is significant in a world in which boys are still seen as the obvious choice for an education in families that cannot afford to send all their children to school. The reasoning behind this teaching is that girls will one day become mothers, and that mothers are the first educators of a child. A mother’s education is seen as crucial, given the role that she will play in educating her own child. The significance of this teaching extends far beyond the individual mother and her child – it speaks of encouraging a broader culture in which parents see education as an investment in not just their child, but in future generations.
It is interesting that as Baha’is, two of the core activities that we are focusing on a global community are children’s classes and junior youth empowerment programs. These activities focus on making spiritual education accessible to every child. But more importantly, it fosters a culture in which everyone is empowered to be part of the process of providing that education to every child.
The future of humanity is connected to the way in which we educate our children. It is the foundation of the unfolding of a new civilization.
The spiritual education of children is the basis on which humanity will collectively advance and realise its full capacity. The Baha’i teachings speak of the gloriousness of this age in this way:
The newly-born babe of that Day excels the wisest and most venerable men of this time…5
One can only wonder what the reality of such a day looks like, in which the promise of a new civilization is realised.
Abdu’l-Baha, Selections From the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Centre, 1982, p. 320 [↩]
Abdu’l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, US Baha’i Publishing Trust, 1990 reprint of pocket-size edition, p.7 [↩]
A Compilation on Baha’i Education, Author: Various Source: Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, Baha’i World Centre, August 1976, p.9 [↩]
Abdu’l-Baha, Selections From the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Centre, 1982 lightweight edition, pp.128-129 [↩]
A Compilation on Baha’i Education, Author: Various Source: Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, Baha’i World Centre, August 1976, p.1 [↩]
In her professional life, Preethi has dabbled in various combinations of education, community development and law. At heart, though, she's an overgrown child who thinks the world is one giant playground. She's currently on a quest to make learning come alive for young people and to bring the world's stories and cultures to them, with educational resources from One Story Learning.
Wonderful advice. I think all we really have to do to accustom our children to hardship is to send them to public school! As an elementary music teacher for 35 years, I worked in lots of school since music was one of the first things to go when the budget got cut. Even the best public schools faced yo-yo budgets and yo-yo priorities undercutting stability for students and teachers. Through all of these hardships, I am grateful that my Baha’i children had the strength of their faith and the quest for virtues to keep them positively oriented in a world of instability.
Great post! I am particularly interested in the theme that the United Nations were promoting last year for the international day of peace. Could you recommend further reading on the action they were advocating for?
Thanks Monerih! There’s a quote by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (in reference to the 2013 theme for International Day of Peace) saying that education can’t simply be about basic literacy and numeracy, and that it needs to inculcate respect and teach the skills that will foster peace and justice in societies – much like what the Baha’i writings say about education. 🙂
Loved your blog on what is perhaps one of thee most important subjects concerning the future of the Baha’i Faith. Hope you don’t mind, I put a post together containing aspects from your blog on the Baha’i Faith Gibraltar FB page with a link to your site. Loving greeting Trevor,
Thank you Trevor for the encouragement! Thanks also for letting us know about your post on the Gibraltar FB page, glad we could help and thanks for linking to us! 🙂
I believe education is something or I should say education is everything and one can only attain it through our will. See nobody can force you to study or to believe what they say. There is a great saying “ The books are person’s best friend.” But only books can not give us what our life want from us. We have to take a step to implement on our life. An educated person knows what is right and what is wrong. It improves our life standard , personality and mindset. The way you explained everything here is so amazing. Keep this awesome sharing. Best Wishes…
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https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-education-is-equality-challenge
This might be relevant and timely. Challenge with the aim to house a school, as their rental expires 2016 and will not be renewed. xo
lisa (September 9, 2014 at 12:24 PM)
Wonderful advice. I think all we really have to do to accustom our children to hardship is to send them to public school! As an elementary music teacher for 35 years, I worked in lots of school since music was one of the first things to go when the budget got cut. Even the best public schools faced yo-yo budgets and yo-yo priorities undercutting stability for students and teachers. Through all of these hardships, I am grateful that my Baha’i children had the strength of their faith and the quest for virtues to keep them positively oriented in a world of instability.
Rich Young (September 9, 2014 at 9:17 PM)
Great post! I am particularly interested in the theme that the United Nations were promoting last year for the international day of peace. Could you recommend further reading on the action they were advocating for?
Monerih (February 2, 2015 at 9:32 AM)
Thanks Monerih! There’s a quote by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (in reference to the 2013 theme for International Day of Peace) saying that education can’t simply be about basic literacy and numeracy, and that it needs to inculcate respect and teach the skills that will foster peace and justice in societies – much like what the Baha’i writings say about education. 🙂
If you’re looking to find out more about education for peace, this document from UNESCO might be of interest: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0016/001607/160787e.pdf
Preethi (March 3, 2015 at 1:07 AM)
Loved your blog on what is perhaps one of thee most important subjects concerning the future of the Baha’i Faith. Hope you don’t mind, I put a post together containing aspects from your blog on the Baha’i Faith Gibraltar FB page with a link to your site. Loving greeting Trevor,
Trevor (December 12, 2015 at 11:34 PM)
Thank you Trevor for the encouragement! Thanks also for letting us know about your post on the Gibraltar FB page, glad we could help and thanks for linking to us! 🙂
Naysan (December 12, 2015 at 12:40 AM)
Hi Preethi
I believe education is something or I should say education is everything and one can only attain it through our will. See nobody can force you to study or to believe what they say. There is a great saying “ The books are person’s best friend.” But only books can not give us what our life want from us. We have to take a step to implement on our life. An educated person knows what is right and what is wrong. It improves our life standard , personality and mindset. The way you explained everything here is so amazing. Keep this awesome sharing. Best Wishes…
Chetan Gupta (December 12, 2017 at 11:30 AM)