Thoughts on Obama's Speech on Education

Read President Obama's speech to K - HS students here:

Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama

Back to School Event

Here are my thoughts ---


The statement that struck me the most:

"But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities." (Obama, 2009)

I agree with him on this. Sometimes we always think that good education = good teachers/ schools. Thus, people blame the institution for failures. But most of failures come from ourselves and our failing desire to be educated, to take responsibility of our own education. If there's no will, there's no way. No matter what force we exert to other people to be educated, if they just have no acceptance to it. In other words, to succeed in education does not rely only on the external establishment but also on our will to be educated and to take full responsibility of it.



Another statement:

"What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country." (Obama, 2009)

Education will take us far. Education is not only to land on good jobs. Education is both for ourselves but importantly on giving back to our country. Which also means that if education is just to fulfill our needs to survive, it will be a short and unfulfilling life we will have. Thinking about what we can do for others is part of our responsibility and what we can look forward to in our education.



Reference:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/