What is an education?

Before I venture any further I think its necessary to take a survey of opinions and definitions I have heard about what an education is, or should be.

First I will add in this small piece by Shenith Jackson which for some reason broadly appeals to me:

The definition of education is an act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.
It could be a certain degree, level or kind of schooling. It is a training implying a discipline and development by means of the special and general abilities of the mind, or a training by which people learn to develop and use their mental, moral, and physical power or skill. It is a gaining of experience, either improving or regressing. Education means to learn in every means in order to reach certain goals.

Education is very essential to everyday  be able to cope and survive whatever the difficulties and complications one  may experience. Without education, life can be hard and frustrating in every aspect. Education will help to attain a certain ambition or a dream in life and to be successful, however that may be defined.

Education can be from anywhere, school, society or home, internet, books or anywhere. It is necessary that everyone needs to go to a form of school, to learn academically and socially. It should help build up the confidence in every person, and give high self-esteem. Also, we need to educate ourself as a society, so that we are aware in catastrophic situations. To know what's going on around us, it is an advantage to be prepared. We need to educate ourselves in the Internet, as it is the biggest technology evolving around the world, for researching or communicating.

Education requires discipline, patience, time, hard-work and effort. With these important behavioral qualities, it will be easier to deal with life.
Having broad knowledge gives high intellect, a power that keeps you ready for anything.

Education can change our life tremendously.

Some good points! However obviously defining sources have a hard time with the concept of education: here are some I found:


a) An education is a packaged measure of a medley of things which should be given to all, in order to raise their consciousness of the world in which they live

b) An education is there to give people job-ready skills so that they go out into the world and contribute and raise their lifestyle

c) An education is something delivered to children so that teachers can have a job, colleges can exist and so that we can all feel good about our educated status

d) education is knowledge acquired by learning and instruction; "it was clear that he had a very broad education"

e) the gradual process of acquiring knowledge; "education is a preparation for life"; "a girl's education was less important than a boy's"

f) the profession of teaching (especially at a school or college or university)

g) the result of good upbringing (especially knowledge of correct social behavior); "a woman of breeding and refinement"

h) education in the broadest sense is any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character or physical ability of an individual. ...

i) Education is a stained-glass window

I think I like the latter the most! Education is a stained glass window.... yet it should be so much more.