By Lida Prypchan
Simon Rodriguez was one of the first teachers to preach the advantages of education for the masses. He also spoke of “education for life”. Referring to this he said, “It is good that young people learn science, that they study languages, botany, etc. … but it is even more important that they know how to live in the Republic. It is good that they be taught but what matters to their profession is the method and practice.” Undoubtedly, the subject can be analyzed from many points of view as it has many meanings, but however it is seen, it leaves one saddened to see that after so long in Venezuela education is still not conceived of in this manner.
When one refers to education, parents leave large imprints on their children: they form a basis which should later be reaffirmed in school and in college. But it happens that in many cases, either through ignorance or for whatever reason, that a good foundation does not exist or is not formed. So what can be expected of the young whose parents do not instill lofty values in their children by example? What can be expected from them if in schools their heads are filled with information that does not help them much to develop as a person? If the media and everything around one gives the picture that only the astute and the opportunistic make the most of life, is it worth talking about Rodriguez’ revolutionary ideas?
As Rodriguez said, “It is more important to know how to develop in life as a man of honor with a clean conscience than to be an eminent professional out of whose head comes scientific knowledge. The issue is not that a man knows everything related to his profession but that apart from that he possesses moral and ethical values.” It is of no use to a doctor to be good at what he does if he lacks humanity with his patients, if he wants to exploit the community with unjustified and exorbitant prices. It is of no use to a man to have great gifts as a politician if with his attitude and example he reflects injustice and corruption, if he takes advantage of his position to give the people the minimum and keep the most for himself. It is of no use to a man to be a lawyer if by means of strange methods he defends certain clients knowing that they are guilty.
On education and life, Michel de Montaigne said, “It is better to have a well-made head than a full head.” It is more important for a man to know how to think, to benefit in life from what he can learn, than to live a life as an eternal drill based on values that are not the most noble.
