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Education everywhere is misleading. It is, in fact, confused with instruction that is, in turn, confused with communication, which again is confused with information. Today we are continuously bombarded with information; technology makes possible the instant transmission of data and news in every corner of the Earth. Advertising through mass media continually transmits to us thousands of messages. All day long we are assailed by a mass of information from which we try to defend ourselves. In no other field, but in the school system, has the effect of this bombardment and the confusion of information been demonstrated to be so harmful. (22:2) The world's school systems (no nation excluded) have followed the same destiny as many other centralized institutions: smaller schools have been incorporated into larger conglomerations. Uprooting of children from their environment, increase in bureaucratization and excessive specialization have subsequently caused alienation of students and a lack of discipline together with motivation to study. (22:3) Personally I think we are raising a generation to whom education only means to passively absorb messages. Baha'u'llah in His numerous writings on the issue considers man a "mine of gems" and education the tool to open this coffer and to reveal these gems [7]. (22:4) Furthermore He proclaims that an important principle in education is the "free and independent search for truth" in every aspect of life. As the need for this principle is coherent with our time, students understand its importance, but as they can't put it into practice in schools and universities, they are in turmoil. They refuse to be considered as machines, fit only to absorb sometimes old and useless messages without any interaction.
(22:5)
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