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3 I The Best Online Education System in the world
EDUCATION – HOW LONG?
Ameselle S. Pascual
Class of 1995, College of the Holy Spirit of Tarlac
Business Administration Major in Banking and Finance
Education is strongly important, which many believe as the ladder to success. But how long should one spend
at school to finally achieve his goal?
As early as three years old (or sometimes even two), parents start sending their toddlers to school. Though
informal education is taught at home, with mom as the first teacher, children are still encouraged to go to
school at an early age. But why do parents do this? Don’t they think that it is an agony for kids to be at school
instead of staying home playing with their Barbie dolls and robots? At school, toddlers learn their ABC’s, count
1 2 3, and sing DO, RE, MI. Not only do they acquire knowledge from books and their teachers but also make
friends as well as experience the outside world. As many psychologists say, the minds of these children are like
sponge. They can easily absorb what is taught. This is the best reason I see why many parents send their young
kids to school, though education fee is rapidly increasing.
When elementary steps in, they become more independent. They can be left alone, and rarely will you see
children crying because their parents left the room secretly. Kids have grown to be more outgoing and made
more friends. As part of their development, they learn more from teachers as well as their classmates, who
save them from terror teachers during graded recitations.
Middle school is a bridge between the elementary and high school. At this stage, adolescents, as what they are
called, face a lot of changes and adjustments. They have a different outlook towards life and of course,
education. Many of them begin to hate their parents, forcing them to go to school and do their homework; and
their teachers for giving them voluminous school projects. They hardly find time to hang out with their peers,
who they consider the most important people.
Come high school, for Koreans, is the busiest stage in their lives since they have to study from morning to late
evening to prepare for the University Entrance Examination. These teens burn the candles on both ends going
to institutes or staying in the library. Nonetheless, for many countries, high school life is the most exciting part
of their education.
After choosing their college or university, students are prepared to a more serious stage in one’s life-a lifelong
career. Students often undergo confusion on what to major as they are sometimes impelled by their parents to
follow their footsteps. Still, education doesn’t end here. Many graduates after getting a job still continue with
graduate school and later on pursue a doctorate degree, which they believe would eventually lead them to
their targeted success.
The answer as to how long one should study is a personal choice. Success depends on the individual, but
education indeed plays a vital role to achieve it.
Questions for discussions:
1. At what age do children start to go to school?
2. How long are children in your country educated?
3. What are the different stages of education?
4. State the importance of education.
5. How can education help you achieve success?