Letter: Education is more than job training – InForum

A Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial published in The Forum Dec. 23 questioned encouraging young people to get a college degree when there are unfilled job openings that do not require a college degree. That treats education as simply job training.

One’s job or occupation is certainly an important part of their life. But it certainly is not one’s entire existence. (Disclaimer. As a farmer, my occupation is mostly who I am.) If one has a 40-hour per week job, that totals 2,080 hours per year. There may be some travel time to and from work depending on circumstances. Then subtract two weeks of vacation and 10 holidays, and you are at work 1,920 hours per year. If you subtract 8 hours per day for sleep, you are awake 5,840 hours. For 3,920 hours or two thirds of your waking hours you are not at work.

There are certainly many activities to take up one’s time such as raising a family, socializing with family and friends, sports, and taking part in various organizations that make your community and human existence better. Formal education can make one better prepared to do any of those things. Maybe we should treat formal education as more than job training.

The editorial distinguished those whose work requires a college degree from “those who work with their hands.” A college degree doesn’t disqualify one from working with their hands. If businesses need more people to work in trades or hand labor, they can bid wages to attract people. It is called the free market. Maybe some businesses would like to dumb us down so they can hire us cheaper.

Yes, there are problems in our public education system. The answer is to use public money to improve our public schools that serve everyone. Say no to voucher schemes that take money away from public education. All high school graduates should have basic academic skills so those who don’t pursue higher education can have a satisfying and productive life. Educated people are better citizens of a democracy. Maybe if our high schools had more emphasis on social and civics courses, we would not have the chaos we currently have in Washington, D.C.

I certainly respect working people without college degrees. They can lead a successful life and contribute to society as much as anyone. My point is that everyone should be encouraged and aided to achieve their highest goals in education. Job training is very important but it is not the entire point of learning.

Charles Linderman lives in Carrington, N.D.