Why not change the world with education, as inspired by Nelson Mandela’s famous quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”? Education does more than impart knowledge; it’s a tool that significantly reduces poverty, decreases racism, eliminates gender inequality, prevents needless deaths, and fosters peace. Crucially, it incorporates the development of social and emotional learning (SEL) skills—empathy, respect, and understanding—that are essential for navigating a diverse society.

Nelson Mandela one of my heroes, championed not just the acquisition of knowledge but also the cultivation of these vital SEL skills. His vision was clear: education should transform social perspectives and promote equality and respect across different races and cultures.

Educational studies consistently demonstrate that individuals who have received a well-rounded education, blending academic and emotional intelligence, are less likely to engage in violence and more likely to foster peaceful resolutions. Thus, education, especially enriched with SEL, remains a formidable tool for change, second only to love in its capacity to reform the world.

Why not change the world for all kids?

Paul Ellis Head of Teaching & Learning at Cambridge Assessment International Education, states “Mandela’s legacy lives on in myriad ways – through the policies he implemented, the foundations and charities he created and – for many – through the words he spoke and wrote”. 

Mandela used his education and life experience for good. He said: “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine; that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation.”

Educational strategies that integrate SEL are crucial for developing these very outcomes. SEL helps students manage their emotions, set positive goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. By weaving SEL into our teaching methods, we prepare our students not just academically but socially to engage with and improve the world around them.

Why not change the world today with education? It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”

Why not change the world we live in now? So, I got inspired to create a community where the revenue helps teachers in need. Having lived in remote Solomon Islands (SI) for 15 years, I founded I Love To Teach (ILTT) for teachers to help teachers in need. 

There are many primary schools but not enough for everyone and not many resources. I began one primary school in the Islands, taught a class and trained teachers, but one is not enough. Teachers earn peanuts or not at all but they love to teach and help kids learn.

A better place for others in need

Educational access and equity remain significant challenges worldwide. In many regions, including the Solomon Islands, educators face limited resources and opportunities. The national HICKS test, a critical juncture in the Solomon Islands’ educational pathway, determines whether students can access higher education. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of students pass this crucial exam.

Those fortunate enough to continue their education are empowered to substantially impact their communities. I’ve witnessed firsthand how a robust education can transform individuals into agents of change, making their societies a better place. This process mirrors the SEL principles by fostering empathy and social responsibility, encouraging students to apply their learning to real-world situations and strive for collective well-being.

Education can help to change the world

Even if Education cannot in itself change our heart, yet it goes a long way to improving the mind to think. Truly thoughtful life makes bad decisions much less likely, so we take fewer wrong actions. Without Education, we are paupers. With it we are rich.

As the old Chinese saying goes:

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day;
teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.

Adding to this, Nelson Mandela’s insights provide a profound reflection on the fundamental changes that education—enriched with emotional and social learning—can instigate in society:

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” — Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

This reflection from Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, underscores the transformative power of education. By incorporating social and emotional learning (SEL) into the curriculum, we equip students not only with intellectual understanding but also with the empathy and compassion essential for building a more inclusive and peaceful world.