Education Isn't the Same Thing as Training

As universities are turned into tools, the meaning of education has been obscured and the proper distinction between education and training has been blurred. That our culture confuses the terms is not a surprise, but it should shock us that educators ofte

Recent local and national commentary on universities has addressed their hostility to free speech. The restriction of liberty in universities is part of attempts to retool behaviour. Universities are becoming heralds of reactionary correctness and citadels of human engineering.

The culture of entrenched correctness in universities springs from expectations to transform them into political instruments. Most government pronouncements on universities illustrate a desire to make them into vehicles for economic and social advancement. It is a popular, but misguided sentiment.

As universities are turned into tools, the meaning of education has been obscured and the proper distinction between education and training has been blurred. That our culture confuses the terms is not a surprise, but it should shock us that educators often view these terms as exchangeable.

Pushing university students to adopt one pet theory or embrace a fad du jour is anti-educational. Grave among the anti education sins…