Bahá'ís regard education as an absolute requirement for
the advancement of humankind. In many countries of the world today,
people are educated to at least minimal standards of literacy, but there are still
many more nations where this is not a reality. It is incumbent upon us
all to ensure that all members of the human race receive a basic
education.
Education must address both material training as well
as spiritual and moral training. Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah
and the designated interpreter of His teachings, has said:
"Training
in morals and good conduct is far more important than book learning. A
child that is cleanly, agreeable, of good character, well behaved -- even though
he be ignorant -- is preferable to a child that is rude, unwashed, ill natured,
and yet becoming deeply versed in all the sciences and arts. The reason
for this is that the child who conducts himself well, even though he be
ignorant, is of benefit to others, while an ill-natured, ill-behaved child is
corrupted and harmful to others, even though he be learned. If, however,
the child be trained to be both learned and good, the result is light upon
light."
The Bahá'í Faith also emphasizes the
importance of giving both male and female children the same educational
opportunities. In fact, it is said that if, God forbid, it is only
possible to educate one of your children, you should give preference to teaching
the girl, rather than the boy, because girls will grow up to be the first
educators of the children. Bahá'ís also believe that, with education, each
child is, potentially, the light of the world, inherently noble:
"Every
child is potentially the light of the world -- and at the same time its
darkness; wherefore must the question of education be accounted as of primary
importance. From his infancy, the child must be nursed at the breast of
God's love, and nurtured in the embrace of His knowledge, that he may radiate
light, grow in spirituality, be filled with wisdom and learning, and take on the
characteristics of the angelic host."
Abdu'l-Baha