IS EDUCATION THE KEY FACTOR IB DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCIETY?

Education is key, Education is vital, Education is the greatest legacy that can be handed down to any living being. Education removes the toxin of barbarism.
Education according to the the Oxford Learners Dictionary is the process of teaching, training and learning, especially in schools and colleges , to improve knowledge and develop skills.
Education should include : all aspects of the school and its surrounding education community, the rights of the whole child, and all children, to survival, protection, development and participation are at the centre. This means that the focus is
on learning which strengthens the capacities of children to act progressively
on their own behalf through the acquisition of relevant knowledge, useful skills and appropriate attitudes; and which creates for children, and helps them create for themselves and others, places of safety, security and healthy interaction. (Bernard,1999)
According to the publication of UNICEF , Education Sector, Programme Division
written by Jeanette Colby, Document No. UNICEF/PD/ED/00/02 , Quality Education includes; Learners who are healthy, well-nourished and ready to participate and learn, and supported in learning by their families and communities;
Environments that are healthy, safe, protective and gender-sensitive, and provide adequate resources and facilities;
Content that is reflected in relevant curricula and materials for the acquisition of basic skills, especially in the areas of literacy, numeracy and skills for life, and
knowledge in such areas as gender, health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS prevention and
peace.
Processes through which trained teachers use lchild-centred teaching approaches in well-managed classrooms and schools and skilful assessment to facilitate learning and reduce disparities.
Outcomes that encompass knowledge, skills and attitudes, and are linked to
national goals for education and positive participation in society.
From the foregoing, it can be noticed that education is indeed much more than a class room activity. It is the bed rock of the development of any society, community or nation. Can it therefore be said that education is the single most important factor in the development of a country?
I would say that while education is an integral part of the development of the society it cannot be said to be the only single factor.
For a society to be termed 'developed' it must have advanced economic, educational, social,political, industrial and financial infrastructure. Education does not necessarily mean political or financial development. The per income capita and the general standard of living is another factor to determine whether or not a society is developed.
Whilst education can improve the standard of living and positively impact the economy through various means it will be wrong to say education is the single most important factor in the development of any society.