Education as a Value: Students, Teachers and Parents Point of View

• Main Author: Valdas Pruskus
• Format: Article
• Language: deu
• Published: Vilnius Gediminas Technical University 2011-04-01
• Series: Coactivity: Philology, Educology
• Subjects: education; school; teachers; parents; values; competence; career; independence; material welfare
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.3846/1822-430X.2008.16.4.68-77
• ISSN: 2351-714X; 2335-7711

In this article based upon empiric empirical experimental research, we disclose point of view from students, teachers and parents side. Highlighting school and parents influence to students attitude to education importance. Disclosing different views on education between 10th and 12th grade students. Students view on modern youths values shows that they don’t really care about education (10th grade – 7%, 12th grade – 9%). The most valuable thing is money (10th gr. – 23%, 12th gr. – 32%), and independence (10th gr. – 23%, 12th gr. – 33%). This shows us that material fulfillment, as they think, leads to successful future. So in this case “fast” money and independence becomes a successful life standard. However answer to question what is most important to them personally education is most reachable value (10th gr. – 58%, 12th gr. – 49%). This shows us that youth is not ready (psychologically prepared) to open up their true values. In the other hand that shows us lack of openness in our relationship. Personally highest rates goes to education (10th gr. – 58%, 12th gr. – 49%); communication and collaboration (10th gr. – 52%, 12th gr. – 45%), self esteem (10th gr. – 48%, 12th gr. – 49%), honesty (10th gr. – 41%, 12th gr. – 37%). In conclusion we can say that social relationship and collaboration helps to achieve goals, in this case – education. Most of students are looking forward to achieve higher education (10th gr. – 43%, 12th gr. – 46%). Planning to study in Lithuania (10th gr. – 44%, 12th gr. – 50%). Students planning to go for postgraduate studies (10th gr. – 18%, 12th gr. – 25%). This shows us that not only 12th grade students, but also 10th grade students understand higher education importance. It is not a surprise that amount of postgraduate students is growing each year. Achievement of higher education students are linking with opportunity to make more money (10th gr. – 26%, 12th gr. – 32%); getting prestigious job ( 10th gr. – 21%, 12th gr. – 25%) and better career opportunities (10th gr. and 12th gr. – 22% each). That shows us that students first of all are linking education with their material wellbeing. We see that pragmatism and material wellbeing are taking important place in our society. Self determination is making biggest influence to student decisions. 44% of 10th and 12th grade students stated that they are making decisions on their own. So parent influence is becoming not that important. Self confidence, independence and self determination importance is showing up. Only 13% 10th grade and 9% 12th grade students stated that their decisions are influenced by parents. Meanwhile internet and mass media has even lower influence (12th gr. – 5%, 10th gr. – 2%). Teacher influence is also not that big (10th gr. – 1.5%, 12th gr. – 1%). That shows us big decrease of teacher influence on student decisions. That is definitely raising concern and asking for further investigation. Teachers are linking education with: intellectual development (52%), competence achievement (47%), student horizon expanding (46%). Knowledge, science have higher value than material welfare within teachers such as their patents. We can presume that teachers are trying to imply importance of those values to students while educating them. Whatever parent salary is, they are linking education with: achieving professional competence (62%), intellectual development (57%), expanding horizon and getting prestigious job in Lithuania (37% each). That shows us that parents understand importance of education and are trying to pass such view to their children. It’s not surprising that most of parents, even if they have lower wage, are trying that their children would get higher education.