The World as an Institution

THE WORLD: AN INSTITUTION WHERE EVERYONE IS A STUDENT

Most times when one intends to narrate a story that seems vague or broad, he may begin with a clause, “I don’t know where to start.” And, if one of the audience happens to be a funny person, he shall react by saying, “Start from somewhere.” Same is applicable here.

Since any story or analysis, be it comprehensive or concise, must have a beginning; so I must start from somewhere. But the question remains, where do I start from; …world, institution, everyone, or student? Though, the aforementioned terms are familiar to people irrespective of their educational backgrounds; even to most children. But their usage here might sound a bit vague. Please pardon me if that becomes the case.

Apart from my talent in writing, by profession I’m a practicing engineer. The talents/trainings which I acquired in engineering were gotten from a certain institution (university). But, there’s another institution that supersedes the above. On this note, let’s take a look at the dictionary meaning of the word ‘institution/institute’, based on the context of this edition.

According to Oxford Advanced Learners’ dictionary, “An institute (institution) is a society or organization for special, usually a social or educational, purpose.” It can also be defined as an organization where knowledge is acquired. Since an organization is a society/group of people of the same aim or motive, the world could be regarded as an organization because, the day-to-day struggle for survival remains the major common aim of everyone in the world. In other words, it (the world) is an institution.

Of course you will agree with me that, not only human beings belong to the aforementioned organization (the world). Other animals also participate in the organization, and they’re also struggling for survival. Since biology as a subject has succeeded in grouping every living thing that moves continually as ‘animals’; thus, this edition shall be discussing both the advanced animals (human beings) and the lower animals (others). Let’s begin with mankind (advanced animals).

A student is a person who is studying/learning at a college/institution. Here, the student in question doesn’t imply to only the learners in various colleges/universities, but also to those in nursery/primary schools; that is, the kids and children inclusive. Since everyone (mankind) is learning in the world which has been stated as an institution, apparently, we all are students.

Someone may ask if everyone is really learning. Yes, we’re all learning. Regardless of one’s age, level, class or status, he/she is bound to learn in a given circumstance (occasion) or the other. It could be in office, bed/sitting room, formal/informal gathering, playing ground, or while driving or operating a computer gadget to mention but a few. Thus, everywhere is a classroom. Most times we learn from our, or other persons’ mistakes. In this case, anyone/anything stands as a teacher/tutor; your child, father/mother, siblings (younger/older), uncle, aunt, fate, and above all, experience. Sure, you can be taught by your experience. In fact, that is where the best teachings lie. This is why it’s often cited by many that, “Experience is the best teacher.”

Brethren, search yourselves and see if you’ve been taught by any experience you had encountered in the past. I bet you if such holds in your life, it’ll continue to stick to your brain no matter how little it (the brain) is. And, it shall remain for eternity. But if you, in one event or the other, had been taught by any other tutor different from experience, there’s a certain tendency that at a point, you may forget the lessons (teachings).

One may also ask how fate teaches or impacts knowledge to mankind. In the last two editions, we took our time to discuss ‘fate and faith’ which were tagged as two fancy facts. Fate actually teaches. For instance, if your fate drags or takes you to a moment of sorrow, then, it’ll enable you to be spiritually fortified irrespective of your religion/faith. That is, it will not tentatively, but definitely bring you closer to your creator (God/Allah) where your faith lies. By so doing, you’ve automatically learnt of the efficacy of faith, and as well, endurance/perseverance. You will also learn that, the Almighty is powerful and good.

Other animals are not left out in the above analysis as regards learning or studentship. Therefore, all animals fall under ‘everyone’ as it’s used in the topic. But the difference lies in their level of reasoning or understanding due to the nature of their brains. So you shouldn’t expect them to learn as fast or tangible like human beings (advanced animals).

In the world as an institution, the only factor that obstructs or marks the end of our studentship is death. In other words, everyone remains a student till his/its death. In a nutshell, as long as any person/animal lives, he/it is recognized as a bonafide student of the globe.

Brethren, conclusively and convincingly the world is an institution where everyone is a student. We must continue to have reverence for our creator for making us privileged to be part of this enormous and wonderful institution known as the world. Think about it!

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FDN NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com