Fraternity-Testvériség, 1945 (32. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1945-08-01 / 8. szám
TESTVÉRISÉG 5 EDUCATION FOR THE NEW GENERATION By Louis C. Nanassy Teacher and Guidance Counselor Irvington High School Irvington, N. J. This is the time of the year when young people by the thousands are stepping up to platforms to receive their coveted high school diplomas. The acquisition of this document, signifying four years of secondary school attendance and satisfactory completion of a certain body of skills and knowledges with acceptable standards, is a great milestone in the lives of these young men and women. Time was, not so many years ago, that an elementary or grammar school education was considered adequate for most people, and high school graduation was looked upon as a type of higher education to be attained by only a select few. How times have changed! Today high school training is regarded as minimal common education for all, and only the college or university level is classified as higher education. What implication do the above facts have, and in what manner should they influence the educational plans of present teen-age students and recent high school graduates? Obviously, it should be the aim of every boy and girl to complete satisfactorily a high school curriculum, and then, if at all possible and feasible, continue his studies in a college or some other type of institution offering suitable post-high school training. Modem youth looks askance, and perhaps justly so, on any advice or admonition unless these suggestions are fortified by sound arguments. Therefore, let us examine the reasons that prompt us to advance the aforementioned theory of the advisability for young people not only to finish their high school courses but also to give serious consideration to continue their education beyond the secondary school level. Among the significant points that can be stated are the following: (1) Increased importance of a thorough vocational preparation. (2) Likely trend toward more leisure time for workers. (3) Necessity for a more enlightened citizenry. (4) Recognition of the important part played by education in promoting a better life. Thorough Vocational Preparation Perhaps the basic function of education is to prepare one for his life’s work. Even though at present more jobs are available than workers to fill them, in normal years competition is keen for what vacancies might exist. Indications are that after the next several years’ period of readjustment there will be even a greater necessity for workers to possess outstanding qualifications if they aspire to fill desirable jobs. Men and women in the armed services will return home more than ever convinced of the values of education and an appreciably high percentage of them will take advantage of the educational provisions of the “G. I. Bill of Rights.” When employers can obtain highly trained and skillful workers, they will hardly be inclined to hire boys and girls with inferior educational backgrounds. We might just as well face the fact that only those who have a thorough vocational or professional preparation and have real service to render an employer will be given preferential treatment. More Leisure Time With the levelling off of job opportunities will come shorter working hours and its resultant increased leisure time. Instead of the prevailing forty-eight and more working hour week, the future promises forty, thirty-six, and even a possible thirty hour work week. Men will no longer have time merely to work, eat, and sleep—they will have many hours each week to call their own. To occupy these hours profitably and to the mutual advantage of themselves and society may be more difficult than it first appears. Many will become bored with themselves; others may drift into anti-social pursuits. As a possible solution to this dilemma, education —especially the so-called liberal education—can assume an influential role. The study of wholesome literature, music, art, the crafts, etc., opens unlimited horizons for leisure time activities to the student of these subjects and will undoubtedly make for better adjusted and happier people in the days that are to come. Enlightened Citizenry Closely allied to the two points already discussed is the imminent need for our citizens to have a full share in the intelligent promulgation of the ideals for which hundreds of thousands of men are now sacrificing their lives. This cannot be accomplished by following blindly; it should not be entrusted to masses lacking fundamental concepts and basic knowledges; rather, it must be the responsibility of an enlightened citizenry. If our democratic way of life is to function effectively our citizens must share in its activities. Of necessity, education must play an increasingly important part in the process of inculcating in the citizens the desired knowledges and ideals so they might partake effectively and intelligently in the administration and prosecution of our democratic machinery which is the heritage of the citizens of this great country.
