Responding To Seneca's On Liberal Education In Reading The World (Essay Sample)

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Liberal Education
Introduction
The terms free society and liberal education arise from the same source, the classic notion that human beings should and can rule themselves and that the rule is in everyone’s personal power. A free society is composed of those who do rule themselves first before imposing their ruling on others. Since the establishment of higher education institutions, the core principle has been to equip students into becoming good citizens. It is still believed that higher education is set to prepare good citizenship in each student attending the university systems. First, it is without doubt that a good citizen must be an educated member of the society. In higher learning institutions, students are taught their curriculum of choice and in addition, they are taught social sciences, mathematics, humanities and history in order to build all-rounded individuals with understanding and exposure to a number of disciplinary areas in life. Such exposure is built with the aim of creating students who not only thrive in professionalism but also have the virtues of good citizenship (Newman & John 12). Education is essential in the function of a free society thus, colleges and universities should prepare people to be good citizens.
Many higher learning institutions focus on teaching civility within each department, more so during the first years of admission. This is an initiative which strives to teach students how to practice kindness, civil behavior and free thinking approaches in real life issues. Schools should focus on holding seminars where students are exposed to group discussions and debates on national issues. Additionally, the education system should focus on producing analytical citizens. They expose students to reading and listening skills that enable them view various occurrences in life between the existing thin lines (Armenta & Richard 2). Such skills ensure production of citizens who are able to make sense of the issues of national importance and also to make accurate inference in cases of emergency decision making.
Education system is the central point within which citizens can openly and accurately learn the importance of participating in national and international forums and activities. Through education, students can be taught and exposed to community involvement and voting activities. Community involvement of the students is normally achieved through student clubs, volunteer work and conducting of fundraisers (Mehrens & Patrik 3). Such activities produce students who are loyal and giving to the community and this forms a critical part of citizenship. Creation of students governing bodies whose members are elected into office by fellow students is another way in which the education system helps create good citizenship. Such elections teach students the need to have a voice in their governing bodies and as such, they end up taking national elections seriously (Nussbaum & Martha 292). Participation in national decisions through elections and referendums form an integral part of a good citizen.
The education system also encourages social activities such as symposiums and sports which are important in making of good citizenship. These activities promote team spirit, concern for others, coordination and cooperation. The personality and character of the educators are essential in instilling good citizenship in students. Teachers who continuously make conscience efforts to relat...