general paper essay on education

Later dont say never Jio

Essay Questions on Education

GP Essay Questions on Education. Have a look at these GP Essay Questions on Education from the past papers .

• Do you think that there is any need for change in the educational system in your country?
• ‘The main function of education should be to enable people to gain employment.’ How far do you agree?
• ‘Education does not develop individuality but conformity.’ Is such a statement always valid?
• ‘The word failure should never be used in education.’ Do you agree with this view?
• ‘Conformity should be the main aim of all schools.’ How far is this true?
• ‘Only educated people should have the right to vote for elections.’ What is your view?
• Is a sound knowledge of science and technology essential for a well-educated person in today’s world?
• Does a study of history make you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of the human race?
• Is History anything more than the study of warfare?
• Nowadays, the pleasures of reading can never compete with the pleasures of visual entertainment.’ To what extent do you agree?
• Discuss the benefits and disadvantages which technological developments are likely to have upon education in the near future.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being educated abroad.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Education Essay Samples: Choose Yours to Get A+

What is an essay on education?

It’s a paper that students write in school or college to tell why education is important (1). The rules of structuring and formatting it are standard:

•  Hook readers and introduce a thesis. 
•  Provide arguments and evidence in the body to support your statement. 
•  Write a conclusion restating the thesis and summarizing the body. 

In this article, you’ll find three samples of education essays. All are of different lengths. Choose one that fits your assignment best, and feel free to use it as an example for writing your paper like a boss.

Importance of Education: Essay (250 words)

When asked to write an essay about the importance of education, check this sample for inspiration.

College Essay on Importance of Education (300 words)

A 300-word paper has a more complex structure. You can divide it into three paragraphs. Or, create a five-paragraph story with three parts in a body. It all depends on how you craft a thesis and how many arguments you have.

Bonus: How to Write a 300 Words Essay

500 Word Essay on Why Education Is Important

“Why is education important” essay can be long, too. If you get an assignment to write a 500+ word paper on this topic, here you have a sample to check.

What is education essay?

It is a short academic paper students write in school or college to explain the importance of education to the audience. It has a corresponding thesis statement and requires arguments and evidence to prove its relevance.

What is the purpose of education essay?

The purpose (2) is to explain the role of education and persuade readers of this idea with arguments and evidence.

 When writing, a student can use facts, statistics, and examples to support the arguments. Topics are numerous, but all relate to the idea that education is crucial for young generations and society in general.

How long is an essay on why education is important?

The length varies from 150 to 750 words. It depends on the assignment or how in-depth you intend to go on the topic and structure your academic paper.

Thus, a 150-word paper will be one paragraph, which is prevalent for middle school students. For 500-word essays, the structure is as follows: education essay introduction, body, and conclusion.

The longer your essay, the more structured and in-depth it will be.

Ready to Write Your Essay on Education?

I hope the examples from this article have helped you learn how to write an essay on importance of education. Whatever the length, please structure it accordingly: Follow the rules of academic writing. Use arguments and provide evidence.

An essay on education isn’t that challenging to write. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts on the topic. Even a controversial idea works if you know how to spark readers with it.

References:

• https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/10-reasons-why-is-education-important/
• https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/purpose-education
• Essay samples
• Essay writing
• Writing tips

Recent Posts

• Writing the “Why Should Abortion Be Made Legal” Essay: Sample and Tips
• 3 Examples of Enduring Issue Essays to Write Yours Like a Pro
• Writing Essay on Friendship: 3 Samples to Get Inspired
• How to Structure a Leadership Essay (Samples to Consider)
• What Is Nursing Essay, and How to Write It Like a Pro

A Level General Paper STUDY NOTES

scroll down

Download my A Level General Paper notes (syllabus 8807) at no cost. I believe that educational resources should be open-source and democratised. Feel free to share these notes with your friends and relatives if you think that they will find value in them. Cheers!

If you wish to support my effort in providing free resources, buy me a coffee here:

General Paper: Paper 1 Notes Free

A collection of essay planning and writing tips and strategies to equip you with the requisite skills to tackle the Essay Paper.

First Edition • Ju ly 2021

General Paper: Paper 2 Notes Free

A collection of numerous tips and strategies to answer some of the most commonly tested questions in the Comprehension Paper over the years.

First Edition • June 2021

CONTENT PACKAGES

Click for Preview

General Paper Content Package vol. 4 (2022) $ 10

Content package covering the major topics frequently tested for General Paper. This compendium covers news articles until October 2022 . Members on buymeacoffee get a special discount for all future content packages.

Volume 4 • Q 4 202 2

General Paper Content Package vol. 3 (2022) $ 10

Content package covering the major topics frequently tested for General Paper. This compendium covers news articles until June 2022. Members on buymeacoffee get a special discount for all future content packages.

Volume 3 • Q2 2022

General Paper Content Package vol. 2 (2021) $10 $ 8 ( 2 0% off)

Content package covering the major topics frequently tested for General Paper. This compendium covers news articles until October 2021. Members on buymeacoffee get a special discount for all future content packages.

Volume 2 • Q4 2021

General Paper Content Package vol. 1 (2021) $10 $ 8 ( 20% off )

Content package covering the major topics frequently tested for General Paper. This compendium covers news articles until April 2021. Members on buymeacoffee get a special discount for all future content packages.

Volume 1 • Q2 2021

www.gpstudynotes.com

5% of all proceeds on buymeacoffee go to limitless sg .

GP Tuition – ZAscension

Per Ardua Ad Astra – Through Struggle to the Stars

7 Major Topics for General Paper (GP) Essays (Compiled Past Year Prelim & A Levels Essay Questions)

Major 7 Topics for GP Essay

Looking for the 2022 a levels essay questions it’s over here, if you want more tips for gp , do also join this free telegram channel which would share very helpful tips, faqs, and update you when articles are updated/posted ‎😃.

I always believe that the most effective way to study GP is through looking at questions because they give you a specific issue/ direction to think about and also check whether you are truly familiar with the topic you wish to focus on in exams.

Often students struggle with essays because they see an unfamiliar question and they panic and don’t know what to write. The easy way to solve this is to be exposed to the possible questions for the major topics so that you will be well-prepared. You need to become used to this process of looking at a foreign question and connecting it with content knowledge you possess — this is the key to scoring in GP essays.

So below are over 200 questions that i have compiled over the past 3 years, all for your easy reference 🙂

I have also included some general questions for those of you who prefer to attempt general questions. After the compilation list, you will find 20 questions across 4 topics that i have singled out to be important and i have written my analysis and tips for those questions , be sure to check them out below!

1. To what extent can the Arts effect positive social change today? 2. ‘We should abolish state funding for the Arts.’ How far do you agree that this should be the case? 3. ‘Censorship undermines the arts.’ Comment. 4. ‘For the majority of people, the Arts are a waste of time.’ How true is this of your society? 5. ‘We are merely paying lip service to the arts.’ How true is this in your society? 6. ‘Cultural and heritage sites have lost their relevance.’ How far is this true of your society? 7. ‘Art is not meant to instruct or influence; it is only meant to be enjoyed.’ Do you agree with this viewpoint? 8. ‘Modern Art is not considered Art.’ Discuss. 9. ‘Books are dead. Films are the way to go.’ Do you agree? 10. Should there be any restrictions to enjoying the Arts in your society? 11. ‘No one really cares what the artist has to say.’ What are your views? 12. ‘The progress of a society is best reflected through the arts.’ What do you think? 13. Evaluate the appeal of theatre, dance or music in your society. 14. ‘The Arts are a luxury and not a necessity.’ Discuss this view with reference to your society. 15. In times of economic difficulty, should the Arts in your society still be publicly funded? 16. ‘There is no such thing as bad art.’ Discuss. 17. Do you agree that there is little value in literature today? 18. Assess the view that reading books is, by far, the most wondrous of all pastimes. 19. ‘The only obstacle in the Arts is censorship.’ Discuss. 20. Assess the view that Literature is a subject that has no practical value. 21. Assess the view that pop music today is frivolous. 22. Can fantasy books and films offer anything more than an escape from reality? 25. Evaluate the claim that the artist’s only responsibility is to his art. 26. ‘Anything can be considered art, but not all art is of equal value.’ What is your view? 27. How far do you agree that the value of the Arts has diminished in modern society? 28. ‘As a society progresses, there is little value in preserving its heritage.’ How true is this of your society? 29. How far, in your society, are efforts to preserve cultural heritage merely superficial? 30. ‘Fantasy novels offer little apart from enjoyment.’ Discuss. 31. Consider the view that images are more powerful than words. 32. ‘Art that does not reflect society holds little value.’ Discuss.’ 33. ‘The arts are a distraction from the problems we face today.’ To what extent is this a fair viewpoint? 34. Are museums a waste of money?

• Assess the view that scientific research should not be constrained by ethical concerns.
• Consider the view that new technologies create more problems than benefits for society.
• Should the advancement of artificial intelligence be a cause for concern?
• Does modern technology satisfy our wants rather than our needs?
• To what extent has technology made our lives more fulfilling?
• ‘Scientific knowledge cannot be trusted because it is unreliable.’ Is this a fair statement?
• ‘The main aim of scientific research is to create knowledge about how the world works, rather than solve problems.’ To what extent is this true?
• ‘People in the workplace should embrace rather than fear technological advancements.’ Discuss.
• To what extent is animal testing acceptable in scientific research?
• ‘Modern technology has removed the need for reading skills.’ Do you agree?
• How worried should we be that recent advances in science and technology are creating new challenges and worsening old problems?
• ‘Traditional values should never be sacrificed in the name of progress.’ To what extent do you agree?
• To what extent have technological developments enhanced learning in today’s world?
• ‘Technology is developing too fast for our own good.’ To what extent do you agree?
• ‘All forms of scientific research are worth pursuing.’ Discuss.
• Should humans be hired when robots can do the job better?
• How effective is technology in making us healthier?
• Are machines making humans obsolete?
• Medical science should seek to heal rather than enhance.’ Comment.
• How far do you agree that technology gives us greater control in life?
• ‘Recent innovations in transport are transforming our way of life.’ How far is this true of your society today?
• Consider the view that advancements in artificial intelligence will result in more divides.
• ‘Artificial intelligence enhances our lives.’ To what extent do you agree with this view?
• ‘Artificial intelligence should be embraced, since it is inevitable.’ Discuss.
• Should technological advancement be encouraged when it outpaces ethics?
• ‘If a job can be replaced by machines, it probably should.’ To what extent do you agree?
• Should the government support only scientific research that can benefit the majority of the people?
• ‘Artificial intelligence is more dangerous than useful.’ Do you agree?
• ‘Scientists are too preoccupied with whether they could, instead of thinking whether they should.’ Is this a fair comment?
• Results are more important than processes in scientific research. To what extent do you agree?
• How far have people benefitted from changes to the workplace?
• ‘Scientific development is always at the expense of morality.’ Do you agree?
• Evaluate the claim that the regulation of technology is a desirable, but unrealistic, goal.
• Has technology made modern society a more dangerous place?
• ‘We can no longer trust the media.’ Is this a fair comment?
• How effective is social media as a tool in bringing about change in society?
• Tackling fake news is mainly the responsibility of the government.’ Do you agree?
• Is it fair to say that only people who have something to hide should be worried about losing their privacy?
• Do you agree that freedom of speech should never be denied even though it can be abused?
• ‘Entertainment, not truth, is the priority of the media today.’ Comment.
• ‘Advertisements are nothing but lies.’ Discuss.
• To what extent is the media responsible for the perception of truth in the world today?
• Consider the claim that the purpose of the media is not simply to convey the truth, but to make it interesting.
• ‘The news today deals with what is popular, rather than what is important.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
• To what extent should news media present views which are considered offensive?
• ‘Freedom of speech must include the freedom to offend.’ Do you agree?
• To what extent can we believe what is in the news when information today can be easily made up?
• ‘There is too much emphasis on image today.’ Do you agree?
• ‘The world today values appearance over substance.’ Is this a fair comment?
• Consider the view that what is posted online is all talk and no action.
• ‘Far too much attention is given to image in today’s world.’ Do you agree?
• ‘Propaganda is all around us; no one knows the truth anymore.’ Discuss.
• ‘The media promote a sense of fear in people which is unnecessary and undesired.’ Discuss.
• Do personal opinions discussed on the internet really influence society?
• ‘In the age of information, ignorance is a choice.’ Comment.
• How far is it true that people today will believe anything the media presents?
• Is it fair to expect advertisements to be truthful?
• Discuss the view that dissenting voices should be censored in your society.
• ‘People will believe anything they read, hear, or see in the media.’ Is this statement reflective of the situation in your country?
• Has social media given people too much power?
• ‘Trivial news is worthless.’ Is this a fair comment?
• ‘The media today has made society less open.’ What is your view?
• To what extent is the use of social media by politicians a positive development?
• Is greater regulation the answer to fake news?
• ‘Freedom of expression is a luxury we cannot afford.’ How far is this true in your society?
• How far do you agree that social media empower people to make a change?
• With the proliferation of the Internet, is privacy more desirable today?
• Does censorship still have a place in this digital age?

4. Politics

• ‘In today’s world, governments should prioritise domestic affairs over international ones.’ Discuss.
• Should small countries be allowed to take the lead in global affairs?
• How far does the state have the right to restrict the freedom of the individual?
• Can migration be justified when it creates social problems?
• ‘There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.’ Assess the validity of this statement in international relations.
• To what extent does the presence of a foreign power have a negative effect?
• ‘Dictatorships are more efficient than democracies.’ Discuss.
• ‘The hallmark of a great country is not how prosperous it is, but how inclusive its people can be.’ Should your country work towards this ideal?
• ‘In a borderless world, it does not matter where you come from.’ To what extent do you agree?
• ‘The key to effective leadership is to give the majority what they want.’ Do you agree?
• Is politics today nothing but a series of empty promises?
• Can a country afford to isolate itself from the rest?
• ‘Diplomacy, not war, is the solution to conflicts in the world today.’ Do you agree?
• To what extent are migrants a threat to a country in today’s world?
• Considering their apparent financial stability, should developed countries be obliged to help other countries in need?
• In a world dominated by superpowers, can small countries play a significant role on the global stage?
• Is democracy the most effective form of government today?
• Assess the view that globalisation has only resulted in more inequality in the world.
• Does geography still determine a country’s prospects in today’s world?
• Evaluate the claim that governments should not be allowed to restrict the rights of their citizens.
• To what extent can small countries wield substantial influence in the world?
• Examine the view that a good leader should be effective rather than popular.
• ‘Geography is destiny.’ Discuss.
• Assess the view that good leaders are defined by how well they champion human rights.
• Do international organisations have real influence over global affairs today?
• Should privacy be sacrificed for the sake of national security?
• Is geography still destiny?
• ‘Citizens are too reliant on the government.’ How far is this statement true in your society?
• Should the concerns of minority groups influence policies in a country?
• ‘The key responsibility of a government is to create wealth for the country.’ What is your view?
• ‘International relationships between countries are becoming increasingly important.’ Discuss.
• ‘Strong threats always work better than gentle persuasion.’ What are your views?
• Should the public care about a politician’s private life?
• Should citizen welfare, rather than global issues, be the main concern of governments?

5. Environment

• ‘The solution to all environmental problems is more regulation, not education.’ Do you agree?
• To what extent is environmental protection the responsibility of the individual?
• ‘Environmental sustainability is a desirable but futile pursuit.’ Discuss.
• Assess the view that sustainable growth is more important than rapid economic development.
• ‘The overconsumption of energy is the greatest threat to the environment today.’ Discuss.
• “We are not the masters of this earth.” To what extent is this true of the environment today?
• How far is it possible to live an environmentally sustainable lifestyle in today’s world?
• ‘Going green makes good business sense.’ Comment.
• To what extent is renewable energy the solution for the world’s increasing need for energy?
• ‘The environment is the main cause of our health woes today.’ Discuss.
• ‘We are consuming too much for our own good.’ Is this true of society today?
• ‘The global demand for food can only be met at the expense of the environment.’ To what extent do you agree?
• ‘Environmentalism needs heroes in order for it to be successful.’ Do you agree?
• Why are countries so reluctant to cooperate in tackling global environmental problems and what can be done to solve this problem?
• Should poorer countries address environmental issues when the basic needs of their own people are not being met?
• To what extent should people pay attention to the protection of the environment in countries other than their own?
• ‘The real heroes of environmentalism are rebels.’ Discuss.
• ‘Environmental pollution is a catastrophe waiting to happen.’ Comment.
• ‘Man is helpless in the face of climate change.’ Do you agree?
• Given the global impact of climate change, should every country play an equal part in saving the environment?
• ‘Corporations, rather than individuals, should be blamed for harms done to the environment.’ Discuss.
• Discuss the view that environmental conservation efforts today are nothing more than token gestures.
• How far is sustainable living a realistic goal in your society?
• To what extent is man’s concern for the environment driven by self-preservation?
• Considering the increasing threat of terrorism, are governments justified in limiting people’s rights?
• ‘Tourism brings less developed countries more harm than good.’ Comment.
• ‘Nothing but provocation and self-centeredness.’ Is this a fair description of the state of affairs in today’s world?
• Should historical monuments and objects be preserved when such an undertaking is very expensive or even a source of unhappiness?
• Consider the view that travel is of little value to the tourist.
• Is diversity necessarily a good thing?
• ‘The more society advances, the more people want to remember the past.’ How far do you agree?
• How effective is imprisonment in combatting crime?
• The study of History is underrated.’ Do you agree?
• ‘Travel, rather than reading, is the best way to learn.’ How far do you agree?
• ‘History cannot be relied upon to tell the truth.’ Do you agree?
• ‘There is no cause for optimism today.’ What is your view?
• How far can a culturally diverse society build unity?
• ‘In an increasingly uncertain world, there is little point in predicting the future.’ Discuss.
• ‘History is just a set of lies.’ Discuss.
• To what extent are wars and conflicts due to poor leadership?
• Can government surveillance eradicate the threat of terrorism?
• ‘It is a mistake to give criminals a second chance.’ Is this view valid?
• Evaluate the claim that a knowledge of history is more an advantage rather than a problem for political leaders today.
• ‘Everyone has a part to play in tackling global issues.’ How far do you agree?
• How effective are prisons in addressing the problem of crime?
• Is change always good?
• Is competition always desirable?
• ‘No cause is ever worth dying for’. Discuss.
• Should the State have unlimited power to deal with the increasing threat of terrorism?
• Should the government aim to achieve consensus when making national policies?

7. Individuals/Values

• How far is failure an essential part of success?
• ‘Experiences are more valuable than material possessions.’ Do you agree?
• Is humility still desirable today?
• ‘My life, my choice.’ How far can people expect to live life this way?
• Should perseverance always be encouraged?
• ‘Happiness is an expensive pursuit today.’ How far do you agree?
• ‘Diligence is the key to success.’ What is your view?
• Is loyalty still a valuable trait in this ever-changing world?
• Is charity always a good thing?
• Should we always be compassionate?
• Consider the importance of non-conformity.
• Are rules meant to be broken?
• Is volunteerism always good?
• ‘Failure should never be acceptable.’ Discuss.
• Is greed always an undesirable trait?
• ‘Freedom remains an unattainable goal.’ What is your view?
• ‘Less is more.’ Is this sound advice?
• Examine the claim that work and happiness do not mix.
• To what extent is loyalty valued in today’s world?
• Adversity brings out the worst in human nature.’ Discuss.
• Is pressure a motivating force or a cause for unhappiness?
• To what extent are people judged more by their physical appearances than by their abilities?
• ‘Getting what one wants in life is what matters.’ Discuss.
• ‘Graciousness is of little value today.’ How far is this true?
• ‘A preoccupation with the self is the curse of modern life.’ To what extent do you agree?
• How valuable is selflessness in today’s world?
• ‘Promises should never be broken.’ What is your view?
• ‘Living a life based on principles is all that matters.’ Should this view be taken seriously?
• It does not pay to be kind.’ Discuss.
• ‘Happiness is merely an illusion in the modern world.’ Do you agree?

20 Key Questions from 4 Topics:

• The tension between advancing scientific research and the ethical considerations that come with it is always an issue. You have to think of the different areas in which science has affected ethics, some cases accidentally and others are more intentional. Ensure that you clearly outline what the ethical concerns are.
• New technologies suggest that we have to look at some recent or more futuristic examples, including artificial intelligence, cloud technology, internet of things, virtual reality, blockchain, big data etc. Be sure to google some of these terms and gain a quick understanding if you aren’t familiar with them! You have to remember that the examples need to be about these technologies and not some dated invention. From there, you can analyse the pros and cons of it to decide which stand to pick.
• AI itself is an incredibly important topic, it has not come out for the A levels but it probably will because it is really the next big thing. With every technology, there are always pros and cons to it. Despite all the hype and excitement for AI, there are concerns about its safety, privacy issues, displacement of jobs etc. An easy way to think about this is what new capabilities AI has granted and what new problems it has also created in the process.
• This is a typical question under Science & Tech that looks at the purpose of why we pursue technology. Are we focusing on necessities or are we developing technologies based on our desires and whims? Note that there are often many different kinds of motivations and intentions behind the creation of a technology. The essay has to basically discuss why some of the modern technology has been created, from there you can decide whether it is more of needs or wants.
• I always see this as a fundamental question that we should know if we wish to focus on this topic. It is asking about the impact of technology and when it comes to something so important and omnipresent like technology, we have to definitely assess its impacts. Come up with a definition of fulfilling and then attribute the pros of technology to ‘fulfilling’ and the cons of it to ‘not fulfilling’. For example, technology helping us to solve modern problems could be linked to fulfilling, while technology causing more divisions could be linked to not fulfilling. Essentially, you have to realise that this is very much a variation of the typical question about tech’s impact. “Made our lives more fulfilling” can easily change to “empowered us” or “given us more control” or “complicated our lives” etc. All these are just different claims of tech’s impacts.
• These days, the reliability of the media is greatly brought into question due to the prevalence of fake news. Fake news is one of the most recent concerns surrounding the use of media, especially the internet because of how easy and fast it is to spread content on there. Of course, the other side of the story is also about how there are many checks against fake news implemented by both news agencies themselves and governments, and the existence of multiple sources allows for cross-referencing by consumer of media like you and I.
• This is also a really important question you should know under the topic of media. It looks at the function of social media, with regard to whether it can bring about change. Social media is one of the defining technologies of the 21 st century and it has created some revolutionary impacts, many of which contributing to creating change. Think about large political changes that have its roots in social media like Arab Spring or social campaigns that go viral and gain lots of attention online be it Greta Thunberg advocating for environmental conservation or MeToo movement raising awareness and changing attitudes towards sexual harassment. Also realise that there are issues that could preclude their effectiveness, slacktivism being one of them.
• Another issue surrounding fake news is trying to prevent or solve it. It then becomes a discussion of who is more responsible for doing so, and you have to think about the different stakeholders involved: governments, news agencies, influencers, individuals contributing content and individuals receiving content. Think about what each of these parties can do to address fake news and why any of them could be more effective or responsible than others.
• Privacy, alongside with fake news, are the most recent issues concerning media. Social media has completely changed the way we leave digital footprints online. And then we have companies that collect lots of big data from our online usage, like Facebook and Google who have essentially large troves of data. You need to consider what are the implications of all these potential loss of privacy and whether it affects just people with things to hide or it affects any common man who uses the internet. Of course, apart from the internet you can also bring in ideas about government surveillance in some countries that are intensified by tech advancements.
• Censorship is a must know when it comes to media. There are many arguments out there about the pros and cons surrounding censorship, so make sure you understand them. This question specifically gives you the context that freedom of speech will be abused, meaning that we can get inflammatory and offensive hate speech spreading online. So knowing that, do you think freedom of speech should be upheld? It is about looking at the consequences of unrestricted speech and thinking about whether it is worth it to accept them in the name of protecting freedom of speech.
• This is a very important question for politics. There is always this tension between focusing on domestic affairs and interfering in other affairs concerning other countries. However, we need to remember that the lines are often not so blurred. International issues often have spillover effects on countries. For example, the problems with conflicts and wars and how they lead to refugee and migration issues, or global issues like environmental and energy conservation transcends the boundaries of countries to affect everyone. Terrorism is also another good example of how it can easily take root in any country with extremist ideas, rather than being something confined to a geographical area. Of course, also remember that the question is talking about prioritising (focusing on one over the other), so you have to think about whether that is logical from a government’s perspective.
• The distinction between small and big countries is always a concern in politics because it greatly affects the dynamics they have interacting with other countries. So this question gets you to think about the differences between small and big countries in terms of the impact they make on an international level. Think about the resources they have, whether they can gain support from other countries, whether they have legitimacy to give leadership about certain causes and whether they have the means and channels to make an impact.
• First up think about why the state might even have a right to restrict freedom or certain rights. It stems from this idea of a social contract where the people agree to certain powers granted to the government when they elected the government. The question is what the extent of these powers are, what is considered justified? Also recognise that there are key reasons that motivate governments to restrict rights, in the name of national security or maintaining social cohesion. Of course, there are some more self-serving intentions that power-hungry governments might have, including to retain power and control the masses. You also have to consider in what ways freedom is being restricted (privacy, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly etc).
• In this age of globalisation and open borders, migration is a huge topic of discussion. It is pretty much the inevitable product of many protracted conflicts across the world that result in massive displacements. The other type of migration is the more voluntary kind where people just want to stay in another country, but it could also pose problems of culture dilution or lack of assimilation or job displacements etc. An easy way to think about this is to look at the pros and cons of migration. Remember that the condition given is that it creates social problems, so you would not discuss migration that is plainly and solely beneficial to the country (without causing any social problems).
• This question looks at how we should approach international relations — whether it is from a place of trust and cooperation or caution and pragmatism (realpolitik). To answer this question, you need to consider the different examples of countries being in alliance or collaborating with other countries, and also examples of countries sacrificing these relations for the sake of their own interests. A recent example could be the controversial decision of the US to leave the Kurds in Syria (traditionally their allies in multiple conflicts in the region).

Environment

•   The environmental issue is difficult to solve because there are many potential solutions and they each have their pros and cons. This particular question gets you to compare between 2 specific solutions of regulation and education. The former is a lot more forced and top-down whereas the latter encourages understanding and bottom-up initiatives that stem from people’s changed attitudes. Think about the pros and cons of each before you come up with your stand. You should be considering factors like effectiveness, speed of the solution, whether it is targeted at the existing problems, whether it is the best option in the long-run etc.
• There are many stakeholders involved in environmental conservation. To attempt this question, you need to have a clear idea who these stakeholders are: individuals, governments, corporations, international organisations, non-governmental organisations etc. Why should the individual be more or less responsible compared to these other parties? Some advocates like to cite the powerlessness of individuals in making a change given majority of carbon emissions come from large companies but others believe that individuals, through their consumption habits, impact how companies are run and so they have bargaining power over the companies.
• A lot of the discussion about the environment also goes back to its feasibility. The general sentiment is that the environment needs fixing and we have to embrace sustainability but sceptics point out resistance coming from whether some of the initiatives can be successfully implemented. And even if they are implemented, will they have a significant impact on the environment? In other words, is there anything we can do for environmental conservation or is it simply an inevitable disaster that awaits mankind? Think about the different ways in which we are trying to pursue sustainability — reducing consumption, recycling efforts, pressuring companies to go green, developing alternative energy sources etc.
• The tension between economic development and environmental conservation is extremely true because the government has limited budget to spend. Sustainability often comes at a heft price and means sacrificing economic goals in the process. However, you may also argue how these two are tied together because sustainability can in turn generate economic benefits for the country, especially in the long run.
• Energy is quite a niche topic under environment but it also a popular A levels question that has come out several times. Threat can come from two aspects: 1) whether this factor is a root cause of environmental woes and 2) whether this factor can be successfully mitigated. In this question, you would also have to consider some other factors that are threats to the environment.

If you found this helpful, do check out our new GP Tips & Resources Telegram Channel! Click here to join . This channel is meant to act as a GP companion to share knowledge and help all students, regardless of whether they are a part of ZAscension. Everyday there will be Tips of the Day, Answers to FAQs, Articles and many more. So if you enjoyed this article, this channel will definitely be useful for you 😃

Do share this article and also the Telegram channel with everyone you know who is also studying for GP,

let’s share the good stuff so that we may all learn 🙂

Thank you for stopping by ZAscension

Find out more about the writer, Mr Zach!

Whatsapp 9722 3187 (click to contact) to sign up for lessons 😃,   check out our gp tips & resources telegram channel   click here to join.

Get Free Resources & Tips for GP!

Subscribe to us and let us know how we can help you today!

Your information is kept confidential and you may unsubscribe at any time.

• ← How to Study for General Paper (GP) Essay [4 Easy Steps]
• FAQ for A Levels General Paper (GP) Essay →

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

It is I, General Paper, your greatest enemy.

Gp.sg : a level general paper notes, essays, and tuition..

Free General Paper Notes

Paper 1 Notes Paper 2 Notes Instagram Page (Daily Content) Telegram Channel

Tuition and Crash Courses

Check out our stunning testimonials! Lessons are taught by Aalden Tnay, with a well-designed curriculum. We teach you what your school does not.

Instagram and Telegram

Follow us @generalpaper on Instagram! We are also on Telegram @gp_sg (because @generalpaper was taken—gah!)

Weekly Tuition Lessons

If you need personalised help and believe you are quite a stretch from getting that 'A' for GP, this is for you.

Intensive Crash Course

There's no need for a long-term commitment. Sign up for our three-session crash course—intensive sessions that jump straight into what you need to know.

Questions? Contact us!

At gp.sg, we know what we are doing. we have produced not just 'a' students. but class top-scorers and school valedictorians., tuition testimonials.

View more testimonials here!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victoria Junior College (@victoriajc_official)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tampines Meridian JC - TMJC (@thatsmyjc)

FREE General Paper Essays By Top Students

Find the best General Paper model essays written by students from top Junior College in Singapore.

Wide Collection of Quality GP Essays

You can expect to find a extensive collection of GP model essays across a wide range of themes, such as social media, politics, governance, environment, education, nuclear energy and so much more. Easily find the theme that you are interested in and focus for your GP  exams. Moreover, our essays are written by top students from the best JCs in Singapore who have consistently scored well for their GP examination.

Frequently Updated Essays

Using relevant and updated examples are essential for an exemplary essay. With our GP model essays, not only can you learn how to apply the examples and support your argument well, you can also access to a wide range of recent examples that makes your GP essay stand out among the rest.

Read Essays Anywhere

No matter where you are, you can read the GP model essays using your mobile phone or laptop! Simply login to your paid account and you can start reading the essays. No more carrying of heavy books around in MRTs or library when you just need to read a few pages of essay!

Categorised Into Essay Themes

Strategise your learning by selecting and narrow the GP essay themes that you want to focus for your GP examination. We make it very easily for you to select the essays that you want to study. No matter what areas you are interested in, we have the best GP essays for you to study!

Print Essays Easily

Do you prefer to read and annotate the essays on hard copy? No problem! You can easily print out the essay that you want to study. There is no need to carry heavy essays book when you only need to study a few pages!

General Paper Model Essays

Improve your General Paper essay score by learning from GP model essays!

Get General Papers essays written by real top students in Singapore. Learn how model essays brilliantly discuss their points and cleverly make use of their examples so that you can apply on your own essays and score your ‘A’ ! These essays are written under exam conditions so the  standards are very achievable .

We will constantly update our collection with newly written essays with recent examples from 2018 – 2020, so your essays will remain relevant and engaging .

Sample General Paper Model Essays

We aim to upload reguarly, ranging from different GP themes so that all our subscribers can benefit.

To access the essays using your mobile phone, login to your account with a paid subscription. For security reasons, you will be logged out every 4 hours.

If you are facing problems with your account, kindly WhatsApp us at +65 8894 9464. We will get back to you within 24 hours.

• OUR PHILOSOPHY
• WHY ILLUM.E?
• OUR TEACHERS
• JC CUT-OFF POINTS
• SUBJECT BASED BANDING
• GP ESSAY QNS
• BLOG ARTICLES
• FREE RESOURCES
• JUNIOR COLLEGE
• AY2024 CLASS SLOTS
• JC ECONOMICS TUITION
• IP LANGUAGE ARTS ENGLISH TUITION
• ‘N’ AND ‘O’ LEVEL SECONDARY ENGLISH TUITION
• PRIMARY ENGLISH TUITION
• SOCIAL STUDIES TUITION
• SECONDARY HISTORY TUITION
• SECONDARY GEOGRAPHY TUITION
• 2024 TERM CALENDAR
• PROMOTION AND HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES
• STUDENT & LESSON PORTAL
• AI LEARNING PORTAL
• JURONG EAST
• MARINE PARADE (PARKWAY CENTRE)
• BUKIT TIMAH
• ASK US ANYTHING

How To Study for General Paper and Score A

How do you study for the a level gp paper many students struggle with studying for gp due to how demanding it is. not only does it demand a strong command of the english language but it also requires an understanding of popular a level gp topics. there are a few strategies that can help any student see tremendous improvements in their grades for the a level gp paper..

Navigating the rigorous demands of the A Level General Paper (GP) can often seem daunting for many students. Contrary to popular belief, success in GP isn't achieved by merely 'winging it', but is a product of a methodical and multifaceted approach to how you study and learn. This includes understanding global affairs, expanding your vocabulary, developing strong analytical abilities, and consistently honing your writing skills. It's a journey that calls for a well-rounded preparation.

As a pioneering force in the domain of General Paper tuition, illum.e stands at the forefront of educational excellence. We are deeply committed to providing students with a plethora of necessary tools, effective strategies, and bespoke learning experiences to help them transcend their academic potential and truly excel in their GP examinations.

1. Keep Up With Current Affairs

Perhaps the most obvious but most overlooked aspect of preparing for the A Level GP paper is keeping up with local and international affairs. Knowledge of current affairs is vital to the GP essay portion and the AQ portion of the A Level GP paper. Particularly in A Level GP paper 1, students are not given a choice of GP questions. Hence, students need to study and have a working knowledge of a wide range of popular A level GP topics.

The Straits Times  is the first and most important resource that any student should consult to improve how they tackle GP questions. All will receive a complimentary Straits Times Online Subscription. The 'Opinions' section is particularly valuable for writing GP essays. This section will introduce students to a range of argumentative writing approaches in order to help them improve their GP essays.

Aside from The Straits Times, you might also want to consider other reputable news sources such as BBC News, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist. Remember, your aim is to expand your horizons and diversify your knowledge base.

To further complement your learning, students can rely on GP notes curated by  GP tuition  centres such as illum.e. Curated notes would enable students to swiftly establish basic knowledge for popular A level GP topics. In this way, notes can help students get a jump start on their A Level GP paper journey. It should be stressed, however, that curated GP notes are not a substitute for being up to date on current events by reading newspapers.

2. Learn From Others

The best practices of other students and even their mistakes are very useful to a student on their A Level GP paper journey. For instance, by reading GP model essays produced by their peers, students will become familiar with the standards expected in their essays.

Crucially, by borrowing ideas from these GP model essays, students will learn how to study and approach a range of  GP essay questions . KS bull, a collection of good essays produced by Rafflesians, is arguably the most famous source of GP model essays.

By reading non-ideal answers to GP questions, students can learn to avoid common mistakes. By being exposed to such errors, students will be able to identify these errors in their own GP essays or in their comprehension answers.

Good GP tuition centres focus on both aspects of learning from one another. They pick up best practices from essays that have  done well in tests  or written by experienced tutors. They would also have GP tuition classes focused on identifying errors in GP essays and AQ answers.

3. Expand Your Vocabulary

Having a diverse vocabulary is like wielding a powerful weapon in the realm of GP. In addition, it enables you to articulate your ideas with more precision and nuance, thereby securing essential marks. There are various ways to build your word arsenal, such as by reading broadly, consulting a thesaurus, understanding the origins of words, and incorporating newly learned words into your daily discourse and written work. Moreover, a robust vocabulary doesn't just improve your writing style; it breathes life into your arguments and makes your essays more compelling.

4. Learn to Analyse & Answer Questions

Central to excelling in GP is the skill to interpret questions correctly and craft pointed responses. The key lies in maintaining your focus and directly tackling the query — this distinction can elevate your work from satisfactory to exceptional.

At illum.e, we take great pride in providing our students with a  comprehensive essay guide . Moreover, we enhance your ability to dissect questions accurately and equip you with strategies to ensure your responses align perfectly with the question's demands. Through our approach, we aim to instil in you the expertise to respond effectively to any GP question, thereby securing your path to excellence.

5. Practice Writing Often

Lastly, it is vital that students keep practising. There is this misconception that as the A level GP paper is only a H1 subject, it does not require much effort. However, this is simply not true. The A level GP paper not only requires great amounts of content for popular A Level GP topics but it also tests language and writing skills. Without practising these skills, they may get rusty and impede the student’s ability to do well in the A Level GP paper.

This is especially vital to the short answer GP questions in the A Level GP paper 1. These questions require a great amount of skills in identifying the GP question type, identifying relevant text and paraphrasing.

Without sufficient practice, these skills can and will get rusty. Hence, it is crucial that students keep practising their craft by writing GP essays or doing past year comprehension papers. Often GP tuition centres have dedicated drill sessions for both papers to ensure that students are well equipped to answer any GP questions that come their way.

For example, at illum.e we have comprehension drill sessions where students learn how to answer GP questions of different types. Our  GP notes  for these sessions will provide students with ample opportunities to practise answering GP questions of the various types. Hence leaving them in good stead to tackle similar GP questions in the A level GP paper.

To study for the A Level GP paper comes down to these 3 main things. If students are able to keep up with current affairs, learn from others and practise a lot, they would most definitely do very well for the A Level GP paper!

How illum.e Can Help You Excel in Your GP Paper

Acing the A Level GP paper boils down to mastering three primary aspects: staying informed about current affairs, learning from the successes and mistakes of others, and engaging in continuous practice. Rigorously adopting these strategies can significantly elevate your GP scores.

At  illum.e , we're committed to facilitating your journey to A Level GP excellence. How? Our unique curriculum replicates the advantages of a one-on-one learning experience, with tailored learning paths designed by multiple expert tutors. We focus on immediate learning and progress, further bolstered by the real-world exam scenario replicated in our in-house mock examinations.

Our comprehensive curriculum ensures you develop a broad spectrum of necessary skills, from expanding your vocabulary and learning how to analyse GP questions accurately, to mastering the craft of essay writing. Moreover, you'll have access to a wide array of study resources, including, but not limited to, carefully curated notes and model essays.

Begin your journey to GP success with illum.e today. Learn how our team of dedicated, experienced tutors, proven teaching methodologies, and a wealth of learning resources can help you unlock your potential and achieve that coveted A grade.

Programmes & Qualifications

Cambridge international as level english general paper (8021).

• Syllabus overview

This syllabus builds learners' ability to understand and write in English through the study of a broad range of contemporary topics. They will analyse opinions and ideas and learn how to construct an argument. This syllabus develops highly transferrable skills including:

• how to develop arguments and present reasoned explanations
• a wider awareness and knowledge of current issues
• independent reasoning, interpretation and persuasion skills
• the ability to present a point of view clearly and reflect upon those of others.

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

• -->2022 - 2024 Syllabus update (PDF, 136KB)
• -->2025-2027 Syllabus (PDF, 530KB)

Syllabus support

• -->Support for English General Paper (PDF, 946KB)

Important notices

Find out more about our range of English syllabuses to suit every level and ambition.

For some subjects, we publish grade descriptions to help understand the level of performance candidates’ grades represent.

We paused the publication of grade descriptions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary changes to the awarding standard in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

As the awarding standard has now returned to the pre-pandemic standard, we are working to produce up-to-date grade descriptions for most of our general qualifications. These will be based on the awarding standards in place from June 2023 onwards.

School Support Hub

Teachers at registered Cambridge schools can unlock over 30 000 teaching and learning resources to help plan and deliver Cambridge programmes and qualifications, including Schemes of work, Example candidate responses, Past papers, Specimen paper answers, as well as digital and multimedia resources.

Schemes of work

Example responses, past papers, specimen paper answers.

Register your interest in becoming a Cambridge School

Stay up to date

Sign up for updates about changes to the syllabuses you teach

• Past papers, examiner reports and specimen papers
• Published resources

The Complete List of GP Topics & Themes

Are you running out of time to prepare for your examples required for your GP essays? Are you looking to form an effective strategy to tackle your Paper1? if yes, read on and explore our recommended Thematic Essay Strategies (TES) on handling your essay paper.

1st, 12 questions will be set, of which you only answer one. This will allow GP essay exam candidates like you the chance to express an informed, critical, creative and relevant response.

Table of Contents

Most Common GP Topics for Essay Paper 1

The most common topics are: 1. Historical, social, cultural, economic, political and philosophical topics 2. Science including its history, philosophy, general principles, current developments and applications 3. Mathematical and geographical topics 4. Literature and language 5. Arts and crafts 6. Topics of local interest and global concern, as stated from the GP Syllabus (Code: 8807)

Now, the above topics is by no means exhaustive. We can easily go into subtopics for each of the main 6 topics. For example: under the General Paper topic of Literature and language, we can go deeper into Mass Media, , Music, Media, Film, etc. Or, under the topic of local interest and global concern, we can zoom into Singapore only, Gender (Women), Environmental (Animals, Water & the Sea, Land Use, Pollution), etc.

So you get the point, and that preparing by topics alone isn’t going to help a lot.

General Paper Themes for Essay Exams

What’s better than preparing by topics? Answer: You can prepare by GP themes! That is, by group several topics into a theme, you can more easily craft a relevant, creative and balanced response.

Below are sample essay questions inspired by the essay questions in this year’s prelim papers, as they have been modified. As promised, they are organised them into themes for your easy perusal and reference. The following themes are grouped and selected based on their frequency in the A Level GP exams as well as they broad enough to cover a variety of questions.

The major themes to focus on are:

a. Arts, Language & Mass Media b. Economic & Political Issues c. Science & Technology & Medicine d. Moral Dilemmas & Personal Experiences (aka Values, Philosophy or Individuals) e. Social & Economic issues f. Crime & Punishment g. General. 

In addition to grouping topics into themes for easier and effective preparation of your essay exam for GP, we can also prepare by question type. This involves your exam techniques and your experience of handling certain categories of exam questions. For example, the following list are common question types:

Type 1: Questions attempting to make a causal link between topics or themes

Some questions establish a relationship / / maybe even causality between two issues and hence you would need to identify that relationship and either agree with it or refute it. For such qu estions with 2 issues or subjects, the link between the two issues is the focus of the  essay. Do NOT have a separate discussion of the 2nd issue.

Examples: 1a: Technological advancements always bring about social equality. How far do you agree?  1b: he world would be a better place if everyone spoke the same language.’ Discuss. 1c: How prepared are we for climate change? Discuss this for your country. 1d: Medical science has been so successful that people now expect too much of it.’ Comment. 1e: Advertisements are often entertaining, but they rarely affect consumer choice.’ Do you agree? 1f: Should poorer countries develop their tourist industry when the basic needs of their own people are not being met? 1g: ‘Instead of speeding up the pace of life, we should be slowing it down.’ What do you think?

Type 2: Questions that target … ‘in your country’…

2.1: Is there value to historic sites in your society? 2.2: How prepared are we for climate change? Discuss this for your country. 2.3: ‘Freedom of expression is a luxury we cannot afford.’ How far is this true in your society? 2.4: Choose a sport and account for its popularity in your country: Golf 2.5: Choose a sport and account for its popularity in your country: Tennis 2.6. Which period in the history of your country appeals most to you? Give reasons for your choice. 2.7: Would you plan the layout of your neighbourhood differently?

Type 3: Questions that require … ‘in your opinion’…

3.1: What do you consider is a meaningful life? 3.2; What do you consider to be a rich life? 3.3: “Give me the country life, any time.” Comment. 3.4: Discuss the benefits of keeping a diary? 3.5: What factors would you consider when choosing a job? 3.6: If you were asked to set up an exhibition, what would you choose to exhibit and why? 3.7: It is better to live a short, exciting life rather than a long, uninteresting one. How far is this true?  3.8 “Leisure activities are a necessity, not a luxury.” Do you agree? 3.9 “The place for animals is in the wild, not in zoos or circuses.” Comment.

Type 4: Knowledge-based Questions

Such questions assume that students have an in-depth knowledge of the characteristics of the topic areas to be discussed in the essay. These KBQ tend to add in absolute words such as : never, solely, only, always, etc. Hence, commonplace knowledge will allow you, the GP student to pass, but obviously reflects nothing more than mediocrity. Knowledge must be showcased not just through a range of evidence but also through the differing conclusions one con draw from the some piece of evidence.

Examples: 4.1: Can the trade in weapons ever be justified? 4.2: Is sport too closely linked with money these days? 4.3: Discuss the view that too much faith is placed in statistics.

4.4: To what extent are small businesses preferable to large ones? Inevitably this question appealed to candidates who studied Economics. but it also proved to be a discriminator in identifying candidates who could make effective use of their General Paper skills and those who merely regurgitated theoretical arguments and unexplained Economics jargon, such as ‘economies of scale’ and ‘merit goods”.

Abbreviated forms, such as SBEs (Small Business Enterprises) and MNCs (Multinational Corporations) were not uncommon. These must be explained. Furthermore, very tortuous attempts were often made in the introduction to define small and large businesses.

4.5: Can small countries have a significant voice in world affairs Focus on the following: Switzerland, Vatican City, Luxemburg & Singapore

4.6: Is effective farming possible without science? Candidates drew upon the distinction between subsistence farming and that which was more of an industry, often tailored to meet modern demands of population and choice. Similarly, there was an awareness of organic farming, with its benefits and drawbacks. A good range of examples was incorporated to illustrate the impact of science on agriculture: the development of seeds, fertilisers, alternative means of producing crops and so on.

Sample Set A Paper 1 for general paper (Essay Questions)

1. How far should the actions of leaders be determined by public opinion? (Political issue)

2. Which factors currently pose serious threats to the development of your country and which provide exciting opportunities? (Economic, Environmental, Social, Cultural, ‘In-Your-Country’, etc)

3. Why are increasing numbers of people turning to religion in both less developed and developed countries? (Social, Economic, etc)

4. Can we be too concerned about safety and hygiene? (Science, Environmental, etc)

5. In your opinion, are most scientific research is conducted in the wrong areas for the wrong reasons? (Science, Social, Economic, ‘In-Your-Opinion’,)

6. Has commercialism ruined film as an art form? (Mass media, Arts, Economic, ‘Causal-link’)

7. Do you agree that aid should never be given to countries with poor human rights records? (Global issue, Economic, Political, etc)

8. ‘Gambling is a vice which should never be condoned in any civilised society. What are your views? (Social, Economic, Philosophy)

9. “We are overfed with information, but starved of wisdom.” Is this a valid assessment of modern technology’s impact on mankind? (Technology, Mass Media, Social, etc)

10. “Education is the best vaccine for violence.” Do you agree? (Social, Arts, Language, Mass Media, etc)

11. Is the United Nations still a relevant organisation? (Global issue, politics, Economic, etc)

12. Does history really repeat itself? (History, Social, Environmental, Economics, Political, etc, aka General Question)

Sample Set B Paper 1 for general paper (Essay Questions)

1. Give the public what it wants.” How far should the media be guided by this motto? (Mass Media, Social, etc)

2.Why does children’s literature appeal to readers of all ages? (Social, Langauge, Economics, The Arts, etc)

3. Have ceremonies and rituals lost their meaning in your society? (Economic, Religion, Social, Cultural, ‘In-Your-Country’, etc)

4. “Along with great power comes great responsibility.” Discuss the relevance of this observation to the roles and responsibilities of scientists today. (Science, Social, Economic, etc,)

5. To what extent, if any, should works of art be subjected to censorship? (Social, Arts, Language, Mass Media, etc)

6. In your opinion, what can be done to make the citizens of your country more politically aware and active? (Political, Youth, Social, etc)

7. Is a world without poverty an impossible dream? (Global issue, Economic, Environmental, etc)

8. ”No pain, no gain.’ How far is this true of life in general? (Philosophy, Personal Experience, Value, Economic, Language, etc)

9. ‘Politics is the art of compromise.’ Discuss. (Political, Global, Regional & Local issues, Social, etc)

10. Do we place too much faith in technology? (Technology, Environmental, Science, Economics, etc)

11. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Comment on this assessment of the last century. (Political, Global, Regional & Local issues, Social, Economic, etc, aka General Question)

12. What purposes should prisons serve in an educated and enlightened society? (Social, Language, Crime, etc)

As you can see from the i) list of topics, ii) the combination of topics into themes, iii) the questions types, as well as the iv) sample question paper, the essay exam paper can be set in many ways.

So what’s your strategy? Our recommendation: prepare a bit of each!!

Specifically: make you you have solid content knowledge with relevant and updated examples on 2-3 TOPICS . In this way, in term so the content marks, you will score a high one. Next, make sure that the topics you pick they are bale to merge into further themes, so that no matter how the Cambridge examiners mix and match the topics, you have enough scope and depth to provide a sound, elaborate and balanced answer. Finally, do an extra preparation with one that targets just Singapore (“ in your country “) and/ or offers you the opportunity to go deep in your opinion . 

Need more help? Let our GP revision pack boost your score with lesser effort now. Click here to accelerate your GP success .

Happy revision!

GP Samples Essays – Moral Values & Truth

by ASH | Aug 22, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Moral Values & Truth? Are you going to prepare this sub-topic of social issues, philosophy, etc as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP examinations? A good choice, as this...

GP Samples Essays – Longevity & Health

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Longevity & Health? Are you going to prepare this sub-topic of Science & Technology, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP examinations.   We at Ace...

GP Samples Essays – Marriage & Women

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Marriage & Women? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Social Issues, Roles of Women, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP assessments? Bookmark this page, so that you...

GP Samples Essays – Women & Human Rights

by ASH | Aug 20, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Women & Human Rights? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Social Issues, Roles of Women, as well as Human Rights, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking...

GP Samples Essays – Moral Issues & Abortion

Searching for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Moral Issues & Abortion? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Social Issues, Roles of Women, as well as Human Rights, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking for...

GP Samples Essays – Science & Health

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Science & Health? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Science & Technology, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking for complete full length...

GP Model Essays – Film & Media

by ASH | Aug 11, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Looking for JC General Paper model essays on film and media? Are you trying to write full length answers for this GP topic, but has difficulties finding good real-life examples to apply for Film and Media? Use our well-written model essay for this GP topic on Film...

GP Samples Essays – Governance

by ASH | Aug 10, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Governance? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Political issues, Government, International Affairs, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking for...

GP Model Essays – Sports

by ASH | Aug 10, 2021 | GP Essay

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Sports? Still need help to craft an answer that is at least 36 out of 50 marks? See more of our model Sports essay examples here.   Q1: Why do countries place so much emphasis on sport?...

Subscribe Our Newsletter

Essay on Importance of Education for Students

500 words essay on importance of education.

To say Education is important is an understatement. Education is a weapon to improve one’s life. It is probably the most important tool to change one’s life. Education for a child begins at home. It is a lifelong process that ends with death. Education certainly determines the quality of an individual’s life. Education improves one’s knowledge, skills and develops the personality and attitude. Most noteworthy, Education affects the chances of employment for people. A highly educated individual is probably very likely to get a good job. In this essay on importance of education, we will tell you about the value of education in life and society.

Importance of Education in Life

First of all, Education teaches the ability to read and write. Reading and writing is the first step in Education. Most information is done by writing. Hence, the lack of writing skill means missing out on a lot of information. Consequently, Education makes people literate.

Above all, Education is extremely important for employment. It certainly is a great opportunity to make a decent living. This is due to the skills of a high paying job that Education provides. Uneducated people are probably at a huge disadvantage when it comes to jobs. It seems like many poor people improve their lives with the help of Education.

Better Communication is yet another role in Education. Education improves and refines the speech of a person. Furthermore, individuals also improve other means of communication with Education.

Education makes an individual a better user of technology. Education certainly provides the technical skills necessary for using technology . Hence, without Education, it would probably be difficult to handle modern machines.

People become more mature with the help of Education. Sophistication enters the life of educated people. Above all, Education teaches the value of discipline to individuals. Educated people also realize the value of time much more. To educated people, time is equal to money.

Finally, Educations enables individuals to express their views efficiently. Educated individuals can explain their opinions in a clear manner. Hence, educated people are quite likely to convince people to their point of view.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Importance of Education in Society

First of all, Education helps in spreading knowledge in society. This is perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of Education. There is a quick propagation of knowledge in an educated society. Furthermore, there is a transfer of knowledge from generation to another by Education.

Education helps in the development and innovation of technology. Most noteworthy, the more the education, the more technology will spread. Important developments in war equipment, medicine , computers, take place due to Education.

Education is a ray of light in the darkness. It certainly is a hope for a good life. Education is a basic right of every Human on this Planet. To deny this right is evil. Uneducated youth is the worst thing for Humanity. Above all, the governments of all countries must ensure to spread Education.

FAQs on Essay on Importance of Education

Q.1 How Education helps in Employment?

A.1 Education helps in Employment by providing necessary skills. These skills are important for doing a high paying job.

Q.2 Mention one way in Education helps a society?

A.2 Education helps society by spreading knowledge. This certainly is one excellent contribution to Education.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Research Topics & Ideas: Education

170+ Research Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

If you’re just starting out exploring education-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research topic ideation process by providing a hearty list of research topics and ideas , including examples from actual dissertations and theses..

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . To develop a suitable education-related research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Education Research Topics

• How to find a research topic (video)
• List of 50+ education-related research topics/ideas
• List of 120+ level-specific research topics 
• Examples of actual dissertation topics in education
• Tips to fast-track your topic ideation (video)
• Free Webinar : Topic Ideation 101
• Where to get extra help

Education-Related Research Topics & Ideas

Below you’ll find a list of education-related research topics and idea kickstarters. These are fairly broad and flexible to various contexts, so keep in mind that you will need to refine them a little. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

• The impact of school funding on student achievement
• The effects of social and emotional learning on student well-being
• The effects of parental involvement on student behaviour
• The impact of teacher training on student learning
• The impact of classroom design on student learning
• The impact of poverty on education
• The use of student data to inform instruction
• The role of parental involvement in education
• The effects of mindfulness practices in the classroom
• The use of technology in the classroom
• The role of critical thinking in education
• The use of formative and summative assessments in the classroom
• The use of differentiated instruction in the classroom
• The use of gamification in education
• The effects of teacher burnout on student learning
• The impact of school leadership on student achievement
• The effects of teacher diversity on student outcomes
• The role of teacher collaboration in improving student outcomes
• The implementation of blended and online learning
• The effects of teacher accountability on student achievement
• The effects of standardized testing on student learning
• The effects of classroom management on student behaviour
• The effects of school culture on student achievement
• The use of student-centred learning in the classroom
• The impact of teacher-student relationships on student outcomes
• The achievement gap in minority and low-income students
• The use of culturally responsive teaching in the classroom
• The impact of teacher professional development on student learning
• The use of project-based learning in the classroom
• The effects of teacher expectations on student achievement
• The use of adaptive learning technology in the classroom
• The impact of teacher turnover on student learning
• The effects of teacher recruitment and retention on student learning
• The impact of early childhood education on later academic success
• The impact of parental involvement on student engagement
• The use of positive reinforcement in education
• The impact of school climate on student engagement
• The role of STEM education in preparing students for the workforce
• The effects of school choice on student achievement
• The use of technology in the form of online tutoring

Level-Specific Research Topics

Looking for research topics for a specific level of education? We’ve got you covered. Below you can find research topic ideas for primary, secondary and tertiary-level education contexts. Click the relevant level to view the respective list.

Research Topics: Pick An Education Level

Primary education.

• Investigating the effects of peer tutoring on academic achievement in primary school
• Exploring the benefits of mindfulness practices in primary school classrooms
• Examining the effects of different teaching strategies on primary school students’ problem-solving skills
• The use of storytelling as a teaching strategy in primary school literacy instruction
• The role of cultural diversity in promoting tolerance and understanding in primary schools
• The impact of character education programs on moral development in primary school students
• Investigating the use of technology in enhancing primary school mathematics education
• The impact of inclusive curriculum on promoting equity and diversity in primary schools
• The impact of outdoor education programs on environmental awareness in primary school students
• The influence of school climate on student motivation and engagement in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of early literacy interventions on reading comprehension in primary school students
• The impact of parental involvement in school decision-making processes on student achievement in primary schools
• Exploring the benefits of inclusive education for students with special needs in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of teacher-student feedback on academic motivation in primary schools
• The role of technology in developing digital literacy skills in primary school students
• Effective strategies for fostering a growth mindset in primary school students
• Investigating the role of parental support in reducing academic stress in primary school children
• The role of arts education in fostering creativity and self-expression in primary school students
• Examining the effects of early childhood education programs on primary school readiness
• Examining the effects of homework on primary school students’ academic performance
• The role of formative assessment in improving learning outcomes in primary school classrooms
• The impact of teacher-student relationships on academic outcomes in primary school
• Investigating the effects of classroom environment on student behavior and learning outcomes in primary schools
• Investigating the role of creativity and imagination in primary school curriculum
• The impact of nutrition and healthy eating programs on academic performance in primary schools
• The impact of social-emotional learning programs on primary school students’ well-being and academic performance
• The role of parental involvement in academic achievement of primary school children
• Examining the effects of classroom management strategies on student behavior in primary school
• The role of school leadership in creating a positive school climate Exploring the benefits of bilingual education in primary schools
• The effectiveness of project-based learning in developing critical thinking skills in primary school students
• The role of inquiry-based learning in fostering curiosity and critical thinking in primary school students
• The effects of class size on student engagement and achievement in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of recess and physical activity breaks on attention and learning in primary school
• Exploring the benefits of outdoor play in developing gross motor skills in primary school children
• The effects of educational field trips on knowledge retention in primary school students
• Examining the effects of inclusive classroom practices on students’ attitudes towards diversity in primary schools
• The impact of parental involvement in homework on primary school students’ academic achievement
• Investigating the effectiveness of different assessment methods in primary school classrooms
• The influence of physical activity and exercise on cognitive development in primary school children
• Exploring the benefits of cooperative learning in promoting social skills in primary school students

Secondary Education

• Investigating the effects of school discipline policies on student behavior and academic success in secondary education
• The role of social media in enhancing communication and collaboration among secondary school students
• The impact of school leadership on teacher effectiveness and student outcomes in secondary schools
• Investigating the effects of technology integration on teaching and learning in secondary education
• Exploring the benefits of interdisciplinary instruction in promoting critical thinking skills in secondary schools
• The impact of arts education on creativity and self-expression in secondary school students
• The effectiveness of flipped classrooms in promoting student learning in secondary education
• The role of career guidance programs in preparing secondary school students for future employment
• Investigating the effects of student-centered learning approaches on student autonomy and academic success in secondary schools
• The impact of socio-economic factors on educational attainment in secondary education
• Investigating the impact of project-based learning on student engagement and academic achievement in secondary schools
• Investigating the effects of multicultural education on cultural understanding and tolerance in secondary schools
• The influence of standardized testing on teaching practices and student learning in secondary education
• Investigating the effects of classroom management strategies on student behavior and academic engagement in secondary education
• The influence of teacher professional development on instructional practices and student outcomes in secondary schools
• The role of extracurricular activities in promoting holistic development and well-roundedness in secondary school students
• Investigating the effects of blended learning models on student engagement and achievement in secondary education
• The role of physical education in promoting physical health and well-being among secondary school students
• Investigating the effects of gender on academic achievement and career aspirations in secondary education
• Exploring the benefits of multicultural literature in promoting cultural awareness and empathy among secondary school students
• The impact of school counseling services on student mental health and well-being in secondary schools
• Exploring the benefits of vocational education and training in preparing secondary school students for the workforce
• The role of digital literacy in preparing secondary school students for the digital age
• The influence of parental involvement on academic success and well-being of secondary school students
• The impact of social-emotional learning programs on secondary school students’ well-being and academic success
• The role of character education in fostering ethical and responsible behavior in secondary school students
• Examining the effects of digital citizenship education on responsible and ethical technology use among secondary school students
• The impact of parental involvement in school decision-making processes on student outcomes in secondary schools
• The role of educational technology in promoting personalized learning experiences in secondary schools
• The impact of inclusive education on the social and academic outcomes of students with disabilities in secondary schools
• The influence of parental support on academic motivation and achievement in secondary education
• The role of school climate in promoting positive behavior and well-being among secondary school students
• Examining the effects of peer mentoring programs on academic achievement and social-emotional development in secondary schools
• Examining the effects of teacher-student relationships on student motivation and achievement in secondary schools
• Exploring the benefits of service-learning programs in promoting civic engagement among secondary school students
• The impact of educational policies on educational equity and access in secondary education
• Examining the effects of homework on academic achievement and student well-being in secondary education
• Investigating the effects of different assessment methods on student performance in secondary schools
• Examining the effects of single-sex education on academic performance and gender stereotypes in secondary schools
• The role of mentoring programs in supporting the transition from secondary to post-secondary education

Tertiary Education

• The role of student support services in promoting academic success and well-being in higher education
• The impact of internationalization initiatives on students’ intercultural competence and global perspectives in tertiary education
• Investigating the effects of active learning classrooms and learning spaces on student engagement and learning outcomes in tertiary education
• Exploring the benefits of service-learning experiences in fostering civic engagement and social responsibility in higher education
• The influence of learning communities and collaborative learning environments on student academic and social integration in higher education
• Exploring the benefits of undergraduate research experiences in fostering critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills
• Investigating the effects of academic advising and mentoring on student retention and degree completion in higher education
• The role of student engagement and involvement in co-curricular activities on holistic student development in higher education
• The impact of multicultural education on fostering cultural competence and diversity appreciation in higher education
• The role of internships and work-integrated learning experiences in enhancing students’ employability and career outcomes
• Examining the effects of assessment and feedback practices on student learning and academic achievement in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty professional development on instructional practices and student outcomes in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty-student relationships on student success and well-being in tertiary education
• The impact of college transition programs on students’ academic and social adjustment to higher education
• The impact of online learning platforms on student learning outcomes in higher education
• The impact of financial aid and scholarships on access and persistence in higher education
• The influence of student leadership and involvement in extracurricular activities on personal development and campus engagement
• Exploring the benefits of competency-based education in developing job-specific skills in tertiary students
• Examining the effects of flipped classroom models on student learning and retention in higher education
• Exploring the benefits of online collaboration and virtual team projects in developing teamwork skills in tertiary students
• Investigating the effects of diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus climate and student experiences in tertiary education
• The influence of study abroad programs on intercultural competence and global perspectives of college students
• Investigating the effects of peer mentoring and tutoring programs on student retention and academic performance in tertiary education
• Investigating the effectiveness of active learning strategies in promoting student engagement and achievement in tertiary education
• Investigating the effects of blended learning models and hybrid courses on student learning and satisfaction in higher education
• The role of digital literacy and information literacy skills in supporting student success in the digital age
• Investigating the effects of experiential learning opportunities on career readiness and employability of college students
• The impact of e-portfolios on student reflection, self-assessment, and showcasing of learning in higher education
• The role of technology in enhancing collaborative learning experiences in tertiary classrooms
• The impact of research opportunities on undergraduate student engagement and pursuit of advanced degrees
• Examining the effects of competency-based assessment on measuring student learning and achievement in tertiary education
• Examining the effects of interdisciplinary programs and courses on critical thinking and problem-solving skills in college students
• The role of inclusive education and accessibility in promoting equitable learning experiences for diverse student populations
• The role of career counseling and guidance in supporting students’ career decision-making in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty diversity and representation on student success and inclusive learning environments in higher education

Education-Related Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic in education, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses in the education space to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of education-related research projects to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• From Rural to Urban: Education Conditions of Migrant Children in China (Wang, 2019)
• Energy Renovation While Learning English: A Guidebook for Elementary ESL Teachers (Yang, 2019)
• A Reanalyses of Intercorrelational Matrices of Visual and Verbal Learners’ Abilities, Cognitive Styles, and Learning Preferences (Fox, 2020)
• A study of the elementary math program utilized by a mid-Missouri school district (Barabas, 2020)
• Instructor formative assessment practices in virtual learning environments : a posthumanist sociomaterial perspective (Burcks, 2019)
• Higher education students services: a qualitative study of two mid-size universities’ direct exchange programs (Kinde, 2020)
• Exploring editorial leadership : a qualitative study of scholastic journalism advisers teaching leadership in Missouri secondary schools (Lewis, 2020)
• Selling the virtual university: a multimodal discourse analysis of marketing for online learning (Ludwig, 2020)
• Advocacy and accountability in school counselling: assessing the use of data as related to professional self-efficacy (Matthews, 2020)
• The use of an application screening assessment as a predictor of teaching retention at a midwestern, K-12, public school district (Scarbrough, 2020)
• Core values driving sustained elite performance cultures (Beiner, 2020)
• Educative features of upper elementary Eureka math curriculum (Dwiggins, 2020)
• How female principals nurture adult learning opportunities in successful high schools with challenging student demographics (Woodward, 2020)
• The disproportionality of Black Males in Special Education: A Case Study Analysis of Educator Perceptions in a Southeastern Urban High School (McCrae, 2021)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, in order for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest.  In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

Get 1-On-1 Help

If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic within education, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

68 Comments

This is an helpful tool 🙏

Special education

Really appreciated by this . It is the best platform for research related items

Research title related to school of students

How are you

I think this platform is actually good enough.

Research title related to students

My field is research measurement and evaluation. Need dissertation topics in the field

Assalam o Alaikum I’m a student Bs educational Resarch and evaluation I’m confused to choose My thesis title please help me in choose the thesis title

Good idea I’m going to teach my colleagues

You can find our list of nursing-related research topic ideas here: https://gradcoach.com/research-topics-nursing/

Write on action research topic, using guidance and counseling to address unwanted teenage pregnancy in school

Thanks a lot

I learned a lot from this site, thank you so much!

Thank you for the information.. I would like to request a topic based on school major in social studies

parental involvement and students academic performance

Science education topics?

plz tell me if you got some good topics, im here for finding research topic for masters degree

How about School management and supervision pls.?

Hi i am an Deputy Principal in a primary school. My wish is to srudy foe Master’s degree in Education.Please advice me on which topic can be relevant for me. Thanks.

Every topic proposed above on primary education is a starting point for me. I appreciate immensely the team that has sat down to make a detail of these selected topics just for beginners like us. Be blessed.

Kindly help me with the research questions on the topic” Effects of workplace conflict on the employees’ job performance”. The effects can be applicable in every institution,enterprise or organisation.

Greetings, I am a student majoring in Sociology and minoring in Public Administration. I’m considering any recommended research topic in the field of Sociology.

I’m a student pursuing Mphil in Basic education and I’m considering any recommended research proposal topic in my field of study

Research Defense for students in senior high

Kindly help me with a research topic in educational psychology. Ph.D level. Thank you.

Project-based learning is a teaching/learning type,if well applied in a classroom setting will yield serious positive impact. What can a teacher do to implement this in a disadvantaged zone like “North West Region of Cameroon ( hinterland) where war has brought about prolonged and untold sufferings on the indegins?

I wish to get help on topics of research on educational administration

I wish to get help on topics of research on educational administration PhD level

I am also looking for such type of title

I am a student of undergraduate, doing research on how to use guidance and counseling to address unwanted teenage pregnancy in school

the topics are very good regarding research & education .

Am an undergraduate student carrying out a research on the impact of nutritional healthy eating programs on academic performance in primary schools

Can i request your suggestion topic for my Thesis about Teachers as an OFW. thanx you

Would like to request for suggestions on a topic in Economics of education,PhD level

Would like to request for suggestions on a topic in Economics of education

Hi 👋 I request that you help me with a written research proposal about education the format

Am offering degree in education senior high School Accounting. I want a topic for my project work

l would like to request suggestions on a topic in managing teaching and learning, PhD level (educational leadership and management)

request suggestions on a topic in managing teaching and learning, PhD level (educational leadership and management)

I would to inquire on research topics on Educational psychology, Masters degree

I am PhD student, I am searching my Research topic, It should be innovative,my area of interest is online education,use of technology in education

request suggestion on topic in masters in medical education .

Look at British Library as they keep a copy of all PhDs in the UK Core.ac.uk to access Open University and 6 other university e-archives, pdf downloads mostly available, all free.

May I also ask for a topic based on mathematics education for college teaching, please?

Please I am a masters student of the department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Education Please I am in need of proposed project topics to help with my final year thesis

Am a PhD student in Educational Foundations would like a sociological topic. Thank

please i need a proposed thesis project regardging computer science

Greetings and Regards I am a doctoral student in the field of philosophy of education. I am looking for a new topic for my thesis. Because of my work in the elementary school, I am looking for a topic that is from the field of elementary education and is related to the philosophy of education.

Masters student in the field of curriculum, any ideas of a research topic on low achiever students

In the field of curriculum any ideas of a research topic on deconalization in contextualization of digital teaching and learning through in higher education

Amazing guidelines

I am a graduate with two masters. 1) Master of arts in religious studies and 2) Master in education in foundations of education. I intend to do a Ph.D. on my second master’s, however, I need to bring both masters together through my Ph.D. research. can I do something like, ” The contribution of Philosophy of education for a quality religion education in Kenya”? kindly, assist and be free to suggest a similar topic that will bring together the two masters. thanks in advance

Hi, I am an Early childhood trainer as well as a researcher, I need more support on this topic: The impact of early childhood education on later academic success.

I’m a student in upper level secondary school and I need your support in this research topics: “Impact of incorporating project -based learning in teaching English language skills in secondary schools”.

Although research activities and topics should stem from reflection on one’s practice, I found this site valuable as it effectively addressed many issues we have been experiencing as practitioners.

Your style is unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this site.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

Intergenerational Impacts of Secondary Education: Experimental Evidence from Ghana

We provide experimental evidence on the intergenerational impacts of secondary education subsidies in a low-income context, leveraging a randomized controlled trial and 15-year longitudinal follow-up. For young women, receiving a scholarship for secondary school delays childbearing and marriage, and reduces unwanted pregnancies. Female scholarship recipients are more likely to marry a partner with tertiary education and their children have better early childhood development outcomes. In particular, we document a 45% reduction in under-three mortality as well as cognitive development gains of 0.25 standard deviations of test scores once children are of school age. The primary mechanism seems to be that more-educated caregivers have the knowledge and skills to safeguard their children’s health and stimulate their cognitive development. In contrast, we find no evidence of a positive impact for the children of male scholarship recipients, who tend to marry less educated partners. Together, these results suggest a key role for maternal education in child outcomes. We also estimate the cost-benefit ratio for secondary school scholarships and find that the impact on child survival alone is sufficient to make them a highly cost-effective investment.

The funding for this study was provided by the British Academy, the JPAL Post-Primary Education Initiative, and USAID-DIV. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

MARC RIS BibTeΧ

Download Citation Data

• randomized controlled trials registry entry

More from NBER

In addition to working papers , the NBER disseminates affiliates’ latest findings through a range of free periodicals — the NBER Reporter , the NBER Digest , the Bulletin on Retirement and Disability , the Bulletin on Health , and the Bulletin on Entrepreneurship  — as well as online conference reports , video lectures , and interviews .

The Common App Opens Today—Here’s How To Answer Every Prompt

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Writing the Personal Statement for the Common Application

Today, the Common Application opens for the 2024–25 application cycle. As the platform opens, officially signaling the start of the college admissions season, many students are starting the daunting process of crafting their personal statements. The personal statement is a crucial opportunity to showcase individuality, character, and intellectual depth. In only 650 words, students should seek to encapsulate their authentic voice and perspective through a compelling and creative narrative. The process requires thorough brainstorming, strategy, and editing in order to produce an essay that is distinct from those of thousands of other applicants vying for seats at top colleges.

As students choose a prompt and begin brainstorming essays, here are the key points to consider in order to create a stellar essay for each prompt:

1. The Meaningful Background Prompt

Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

This prompt invites you to share an aspect of your identity or experience that is central to who you are. Start by thoughtfully considering aspects of your identity that are unique to you; then, try to think of a specific anecdote or experience that provides a portrait of those qualities. While detail and specificity are critical for all engaging essays, they are particularly important in this one, as you should show (rather than tell ) admissions committees the things that are quintessential to who you are.

Your essay should also have a takeaway—aside from just telling admissions officers what the background, identity, interest, or talent is, you should also focus on what you’ve learned from this piece of your identity, how it has developed over time, and how you will apply it in college and beyond.

Google Warns 3 Billion Chrome Users—We Have No Update For New Tracking ‘Nightmare’

Nyt ‘strands’ hints, spangram and answers for thursday, august 1st, russia releases evan gershkovich and paul whelan in massive 26-person prisoner swap—here’s what we know, 2. the overcoming obstacles prompt.

Prompt: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

This prompt is an opportunity to demonstrate resilience and the capacity to learn from adversity—qualities that elite universities value highly. Begin by choosing a specific incident where you faced a significant challenge or failure—this could be an academic setback, a personal loss, or a time when you were out of your comfort zone. Students often fall into one of two common mistakes when tackling this question. First, many students rely on cliches and overused tropes. Keep in mind that admissions officers will likely read hundreds of essays recounting stories of students missing the game-winning goal or flunking a test in sophomore English. Try to select a story that only you can tell, and if you choose a topic you worry might be popular among other students, consider how you might recount it in a unique and unexpected way. On the other hand, some students fall into the opposite problem, sharing about a particularly personal, traumatic, or triggering experience that impacted them. Though it should convey personal insights, the personal statement is still a professional document, and you should not make your reader uncomfortable or unsettled by the information you share.

Finally, note that admissions officers are not primarily interested in the challenge itself, but in how you responded to the challenge. Focus on the steps you took to overcome the obstacle, what you learned about yourself in the process, and how this experience has shaped your future actions and mindset. Highlight any new skills, perspectives, or motivations that emerged from this experience, demonstrating your ability to grow and adapt in the face of adversity.

3. The Changed Perspective Prompt

Prompt: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Top colleges seek to admit students who are willing to engage in critical thinking and who possess the intellectual courage to question norms or ideas. For this essay, consider beginning with an anecdote—starting the essay in media res can be an engaging way to catch the reader’s attention and quickly establish the stakes of your narrative. As you share your story, remember that the essay’s focus is to demonstrate your open-mindedness, your commitment to seeking the truth, and your willingness to engage deeply with complex issues. It also shows your ability to respect differing viewpoints while developing your own reasoned stance. As such, you should take the admissions committee through your process of growth and change step-by-step, clearly articulating how the experience impacted you and how your changed perspective will enhance their campus community should you enroll.

4. The Gratitude Prompt

Prompt: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Like the two prior prompts, this prompt requires students to share a particular anecdote, and students should consider beginning with their narrative before zooming out to explore the broader theme of gratitude. Start by recounting a specific instance where someone did something for you that made you feel unexpectedly grateful. This could be a small act of kindness, a significant gesture, or a moment of support that made a lasting impression on you. Then, explore how this experience of gratitude has affected your actions or attitude. As you do so, be sure to avoid platitudes or vapid buzzwords—rather than expressing that the experience made you feel “good” or “appreciated” or the equivalent, share how it has affected your perspective or actions going forward. The best responses are those that illustrate actionable change rather than fuzzy feelings.

5. The Personal Growth Prompt

Prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

A student’s college years are all about growth and transformation, and this prompt invites students to demonstrate their capacity for self-reflection and teachability. Thus, while this prompt might invite you to describe a major event or accomplishment, what you really want to show is a transformative period and the resulting reflection. Don’t feel as though the accomplishment, event, or realization needs to be especially earth-shattering or ground-breaking—sometimes the small things can make an impression in a big way. Finally, if you do choose to write about an accomplishment, be sure that you are not bragging. The prompt is an opportunity to show self-awareness, rather than to tout your achievements.

6. The Captivating Concept Prompt

Prompt: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Intellectual curiosity and authentic passion are distinguishing characteristics in the landscape of top college admissions. For this prompt, zoom in on a particular topic that genuinely fascinates you, whether it’s a specific academic subject, a philosophical idea, or a creative pursuit. Many students manufacture a response to this prompt based on what they assume will impress admissions officers—but if you aren’t truly interested in Kantian ethics, an admissions officer will be able to tell. However silly, mundane, quirky, or bizarre your “captivating concept” may be, if it’s true to you—write about it!

While your response should describe how a specific aspect of this topic captivates your interest and why it resonates with you on a deeper level, it should also demonstrate how you have taken the initiative to explore this topic in unique ways. Have you sought out books on the topic? Taken an online course to elevate your knowledge? Started a club to connect with others who share your interest? Developed a passion project that mobilized your interest in service of your community?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

If none of the above prompts allow you to effectively express yourself, remember that the Common App includes an open prompt, wherein you can write on a topic of your choice! This is an excellent opportunity to share a story that doesn’t fit neatly into the other prompts but is crucial to understanding who you are. If you choose to pursue this prompt, make sure your essay is well-structured and cohesive, with a clear theme or message that ties everything together.

The Common App essay is more than just a component of your application; it’s a chance to speak directly to admissions officers and present your authentic self. Taking the time to brainstorm and edit will allow you to submit an essay that showcases your unique voice and original perspective to admissions officers at top colleges.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

GP Essay #60: Is competition essential for effective education? Discuss. 

“Intelligence plus character- that is the true goal of education.” This quote by Martin Luther King Jr succinctly summarizes the purpose of receiving an education. In order to push students’ boundaries and to inculcate in them values like determination and diligence, some believe that an element of competition and ranking is necessary. However, in my opinion, if competition is in excess, the education system will be rendered counter-productive due to the negative effects of encouraging hyper-competitiveness in students. Therefore, while competition is an important factor in molding people of character that will contribute to society, safeguards need to be in place to ensure that the extent of competition in the education system does not become excessive or obsessive. 

Why is competition important? One of the key reasons is that it offers a very clear goal and motivation for students to do better at their studies. Take the Chinese education system for example. Though certain people would term it as ‘extreme’, it is undeniable that China has managed to produce many bright talents especially in the area of science and mathematics due to the competition in schools. With such a large student population and a relatively tiny number of spaces in the most prestigious local universities like Beijing University, competition is a motivator for students as it pushes them to secure a bright future on their own. This is loosely based on the Darwinian idea that only the fittest survive, which encourages students to strive to be classified as the ‘fittest’ and reap the rewards of being so. Therefore, it is believed that competition is necessary to bring out the best in people, and also to stretch their potential.

Moreover, we should recognize that competition does not always mean competition with one’s peers in school. It also includes competition against oneself. This is the reason that schools often have awards for “Best Progress” and “Most Improved” student. Such awards allow students to also compete with themselves and prevent them from becoming complacent. It also pushes students to continuously strive for improvement in all areas of their studies, which will ultimately help increase the overall intelligence in students and promote a sense of perseverance in them- a very important character trait in today’s society. Therefore, this demonstrates how competition with oneself in education is important as it emphasizes personal growth and self-improvement to achieve one’s fullest potential. 

However, the idea of competition in schools has met with a lot of opposition in recent years, and for good reasons too. Excessive competition can definitely be unhealthy- and there is proof of this. In Singapore, one of the most scandalous cases was a recent “Sex-for-grades” case 

where a university student gave sexual favours to a professor in order to score good grades. Many blamed the intensely competitive education system, where so much emphasis was placed on doing well in one’s studies, that it is almost as if one’s entire life depends on grades in Singapore. Other than in Singapore, the number of teachers flagged statewide in Dallas for having sex and other inappropriate relationships with students continues to rise, according to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). In 2018, the TEA opened 429 cases into inappropriate student-educator relationships, an alarming approximate 42% increase from the prior year. Thus, it can be argued that excessive competition encourages corrupt means to do well. Students will turn to wrong and immoral methods to stay on top of the competition. Additionally, placing high stakes in examinations not only results in excessive competition, it also leads to stress. Sometimes, the pressure may be too much to handle. In Singapore, we are no strangers to the huge amounts of academic stress that can overwhelm students. Singapore had a tragic wake-up call when an 11-year-old boy fell 17 floors from his bedroom window in a deliberate act of suicide. This was because he was fearful of revealing his poor grades to his parents. Moreover, more teenagers from top schools in Singapore are reportedly seeking help at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for school-related stress. This serves as a unfortunate example illustrating how a “pressure-cooker” education system with far too much competition can actually overly stress students out and ruin their psychological wellbeing or even cause them to take their precious lives. 

However, it must also be acknowledged that not all education systems in the world require competition to function well. For example, in Finland, high-stakes standardized tests are literally a completely foreign concept. These students take only a few tests yearly, and when they do, they are mostly low-stakes. However, the quality of teaching has made Finnish students consistently near the top when it comes to international education rankings including the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Therefore, while students are not pressurized to compete in high-stakes examinations like the Scholastic Assessment Test (SATs), they manage to perform very well because the Finnish education system focuses more on consistently learning and improving rather than one-shot measurements and ranking of students’ capabilities. This serves as proof that competition may not be necessary in the initial, pre-university stages as younger children may require more positive reinforcement to be motivated to keep learning.   

There is more than one way to a destination. Competition can be a method to prevent complacency and laziness in students, and to serve as motivation for students to constantly better themselves. However, constant checks and reviews are definitely needed to ensure that competition does not breed corruption and underhand methods of succeeding. In addition, competition may not be necessary in every single aspect of learning as that may result in an overly stressful learning process. Instead, perhaps competition can come in at a later age, where students will be mature enough to cope with stress and the occasional defeat, which will make competition effective in shaping the character of students. 

• State Boards

AP SSC Class 10 General Science Paper II Sample Paper 2024-25: Download Free PDF With Unit-Wise Weightage

Ap board class 10 general science paper ii sample paper: the board of secondary education andhra pradesh (bseap) has released the sample model papers for 2025 board examination. students can download the general science paper ii sample paper from the direct link here. .

AP Board SSC General Science Paper II Sample Paper: The Board of Secondary Education Andhra Pradesh has released the sample papers for students of class 10. The model question papers are for the academic session 2024-25. These are important for the students who will be appearing in the 2025 board examination and so students must check them carefully to know the question paper design, marking scheme and unit-wise weightage. 

Andhra Pradesh Board is responsible for the implementation and administration of several activities that include designing study courses, suggesting syllabus, organizing examinations and providing inter results, providing affiliation to schools and institutions. 

Andhra Pradesh Board Class 10 General Science Paper II Unit-Wise Weightage

Andhra Pradesh Board Class 10 General Science Paper II Sample Paper 2024-25

Students check these images carefully for the sample paper. 

Now that you have gone through the images, download the complete sample paper for the Board examination 2025 from the link: 

Steps to Download Andhra Pradesh Board Class 10 Sample Papers 2024-25:

Step 1 - Go to the official website, bse.ap.gov.in. 

Step 2 - Under the quick links section, click on ‘SSC Public Examination 2025 Model Question Papers, Blue Prints and Weightage Tables’ option. 

Step 3 - Subject-wise sample papers will appear. 

Step 4 - Click on the paper and download.  

With these simple steps, download the model sample papers for all subjects and plan your studies for the board examination.

Also, check

Andhra Pradesh Board Class 10 English Third Language Sample Paper 2024-25: Download Free PDF!

Andhra Pradesh Board AP Class 10 Social Studies Sample Paper 2024-25: Download Sample Paper PDF For Free!

Get here latest School , CBSE and Govt Jobs notification and articles in English and Hindi for Sarkari Naukari , Sarkari Result and Exam Preparation . Download the Jagran Josh Sarkari Naukri App .

• CTET Result 2024
• CSIR NET Life Sciences Exam Analysis 2024
• AFCAT Admit Card 2024
• CTET Answer Key 2024
• RRB JE Recruitment 2024
• CTET Result 2024 FAQs
• SSC CHSL Answer Key 2024
• OSSC CHSL Answer Key 2024
• India Post GDS Cut Off

Latest Education News

[OUT] UP Board 10th, 12th Compartment Result 2024: यूपी बोर्ड कंपार्टमेंट रिजल्ट upmsp.edu.in पर घोषित, इस लिंक से करें चेक

[डायरेक्ट लिंक] upmsp.edu.in Compartment Result 2024: जारी हुआ यूपी बोर्ड 10वीं, 12वीं कंपार्टमेंट रिजल्ट, यहां Roll Number से करें चेक

UPSC Chairman 2024: Previous Chairman Names, Salary, Functions and Tenure

UP Board Class 12 Geography Syllabus 2024-25: Download Detailed Syllabus PDF For Free!

CBSE Class 11 Hindi (Core) Deleted Syllabus 2025: Check Deleted Topics Here!

Uniraj Result 2024 Released at uniraj.ac.in; Direct Link to Download Rajasthan University UG and PG Marksheet

UP DElED Exam Date 2024 OUT; Check Semester Exam Schedule PDF

CBSE Class 11 Business Studies Deleted Syllabus 2025: Check The Deleted And Updated Topics Here!

CBSE Recruitment Admit Card 2024 Released at cbse.gov.in: Download Group A, B and C Call Letter

Today’s School Assembly Headlines (2nd August): Supreme Court Gives Landmark Verdict On SC, ST Quota, Heavy Rains Ahead In Second Half Of Southwest Monsoon, Paris Olympics 2024

Picture Puzzle IQ Test: Are You A Genius? Spot The Hidden Chick In 12 Seconds!

UP DElED Exam Date 2024: डीएलएल सेमेस्टर परीक्षा की तारीखें जारी, यहाँ देखें पूरा शेड्यूल

Who is Swapnil Kusale? First Indian to win Bronze in the men's 50m rifle 3P event

Brain Teaser: Only High IQ Can Discover the Hidden Apple in Tomatoes

Optical Illusion: You have HD eyes if you can find the hidden panda in 5 seconds!

[Latest] Paris 2024 Olympics Medal Tally India: पेरिस में किन भारतीयों ने जीते पदक, यहां देखें पूरी लिस्ट 

Paris 2024 Olympics Medal Tally: किस देश ने जीते सर्वाधिक पदक, किसके नाम सर्वाधिक गोल्ड, यहां देखें पूरी लिस्ट

CAPF Important Questions 2024: Check GK Questions with Answers

IBPS SO Eligibility Criteria 2024: Check Age Limit, Educational Qualifications & More

Optical Illusion IQ Test: Can You Spot the Cat in 5 Seconds?

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Auto Racing
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Black voters feel excitement, hope and a lot of worry as Harris takes center stage in campaign

Black voters expressed a mix of hope and worry over Joe Biden’s exit from the presidential race and the prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic nominee. (AP Video: Sharon Johnson)

Anaya Bridges, a full-time student at Georgia State University, poses at the university’s campus in Atlanta, Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

• Copy Link copied

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 22, 2024, during an event with NCAA college athletes. This is her first public appearance since President Joe Biden endorsed her to be the next presidential nominee of the Democratic Party. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Tariq Patterson, a full-time nursing student at Georgia State University, poses at the university’s campus in Atlanta, Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Tina Darrisaw, left, and Miles Davis, both from Cleveland, pose outside the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

L.J. Boyd, 62, of Hastings, Fla., speaks to the Associated Press, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

L.J. Boyd, 62, of Hastings, Fla., gestures during an interview with the Associated Press, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

A student walks past a sign on Monday, July 22, 2024, at Georgia State University in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Follow AP’s live coverage of the 2024 presidential race.

ATLANTA (AP) — Black voters, who helped power Joe Biden to the White House, expressed a mix of hope and worry Monday over his exit from the presidential race and the prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic nominee.

A key Democratic constituency, Black voters were among Biden’s most steadfast supporters , even as calls for him to quit grew. But as much pride as many Black Americans feel about the possibility of Harris, who is of Black and Indian descent , becoming president, the upending of the race has some voters feeling scared.

“I felt like we were doomed,” said Brianna Smith, a 24-year-old school counselor from Decatur, Georgia, recounting her reaction to Biden’s announcement . “I don’t see America actually accepting the fact that a Black woman is running for president.”

The apprehension of some Black voters was reminiscent of 2008, when Barack Obama sought the presidency alongside Biden, the vice presidential candidate. Millions of Black people were proud of Obama’s candidacy even as they feared he wouldn’t be accepted by Americans overall.

Cyria Adams, a 37-year-old hairstylist from Smyrna, Georgia, called Biden’s decision “heartbreaking.” As speculation spread last week that the president might withdraw, she prayed it was just a rumor.

“I’m nervous. I’m really nervous,” Adams said.

Biden’s support of Harris and the immediate coalescing of other party leaders around her makes her the prohibitive favorite to replace him at the top of the presidential ticket. But in interviews in Atlanta, where voters helped flip Georgia for Democrats four years ago, some Black voters were nervous.

“People really don’t like women, especially Black women,” said Mary Jameson, 46. “If a white woman can’t win, how can a Black woman win?”

Carrington Jackson, a 23-year-old chiropractic student from Marietta, Georgia, said she immediately felt fearful when Biden dropped out. Though she believes Harris is a great candidate, she worries about her facing not only the popularity of the GOP nominee, former President Donald Trump, but the prejudices of the American public.

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 22, 2024, during an event with NCAA college athletes. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“With me being a Black woman, I understand that she’s at the intersection of sexism and racism,” Jackson said. “I think now that’s going to be a whole other battle, as well as competing against Donald Trump’s supporters.”

An AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll fielded prior to Biden’s announcement Sunday found about 6 in 10 Democrats believe Harris would do well as president . More broadly, among all adults, the poll showed skepticism of Harris, with only 3 in 10 Americans saying she would do well as president.

What to know about the 2024 Election

• Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
• AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
• Stay informed. Keep your pulse on the news with breaking news email alerts. Sign up here .

But Black people were more likely to see Harris in a positive light.

In a show of enthusiasm about the vice president, more than 40,000 Black women participated in a Zoom meeting Sunday organized by a group called #WinWithBlackWomen. The call was held just hours after Biden’s announcement and participants raised more than $1.5 million for the Harris campaign.

Many Democrats followed Biden’s lead in expressing their support for Harris. The Congressional Black Caucus said it “fully backs” the vice president.

And some Black voters, dismayed by what they saw as Biden’s dwindling chance of winning in November, said they would support whoever could best compete with Trump.

“If they can express the policy of the Democratic Party better than Biden, then I will gladly take that person,” said Pierre Varlet, 30, an anti-money laundering specialist in Atlanta.

The AP-NORC polling shows Black people generally view Trump negatively . But while about 7 in 10 Black adults have an unfavorable view of Trump, his numbers have improved notably since early 2021.

Trump’s campaign has sought to win over more Black voters and members of other minorities.

Anaya Bridges, a 22-year-old student at Georgia State University, said she believed “some people have been swayed” by Republican outreach to communities of color, and she is concerned about voter turnout.

“The timing is terrible,” she said of Biden’s announcement.

Jon Diggs, a 40-year-old Atlanta therapist who has generally voted Democratic in past elections, said he was shocked by Biden’s decision. Both parties, Diggs said, have work to do.

“I don’t think that either party has done a good job for the middle class and particularly the middle-class African American person,” he said.

Johnny Bester, a 37-year-old from Atlanta who was riding a scooter alongside Diggs in Piedmont Park, said he was “not loyal to any brand” of politics. He said Biden should have dropped out long ago and that he wasn’t a fan of the president’s endorsement of Harris.

“A lot of us forgot that she was even in the office, because she hasn’t been too vocal. She hasn’t been too visible,” Bester said.

Call for papers: Special issue on 'Transformation: A Humanising Praxis'

Dear colleagues and students

In line with the goal towards building a scholarship on transformation, I am delighted to share the call for papers for a special issue on Transformation: A Humanising Praxis in the journal, Transformation in Higher Education .

This is a culmination of the UCT Anti-Racism Conversation Series and the Transformation: A Humanising Praxis Think Tank Series, hosted at the University of Cape Town (UCT) since 2022.

Abstract submissions opened on 15 July 2024 and will close on 30 August 2024. The outcome of successful abstracts and invitations to submit full articles will be announced in September 2024.

Authors are invited to consider transformation as both a process and practice that can assist in finding new ways of imagining the academy, shifting us from discourse as an end-in-itself, toward liberatory forms of knowledge sharing and ways of being in the world. In this special issue, we invite authors to engage transformation provocatively around the idea of the human, to inspire a dynamic exchange and solid contestation of ideas.

The focus for the special issue is ‘Transformation: A Humanising Praxis’.

We acknowledge from the onset that although the term ‘transformation’ is used regularly and widely, it is illustrative of its contested nature that there exists no consensus on what it means. For the purpose of generating scholarship on transformation in higher education and society, we depart from a vision of ‘transformation’ as ‘a humanising praxis’. We offer a theoretical provocation to provide authors with a conceptual backbone (‘a supportive structure’) for grappling with this theme.

Two sets of generative questions are also provided to the special issue contributors, to serve as pointers for relatability/resonance and reflection-on-action (‘scripted professional roles’) within their spheres of influence, for example, the lecture room; but also, beyond formal learning spaces, and into staff recruitment processes, promotion practices, staff development, academic conferences, student residences, sports, the cafeteria, etc.

The first set of questions is informed by a critical contemporary interpretation of Aristotle’s intellectual virtue, phronesis (adapted from Flyvbjerg, 2004):

• Where is my university as a key institution in processes of building and sustaining healthy/healing societies going with transformation?
• Who gains and who loses, and by which mechanisms of power?
• Is this transformation desirable?
• What, if anything, should academic/worker-student formations/movements do about it?

The second set of (practical theology) questions is articulated by Richard Osmer:

• What is going on? (descriptive-empirical task)
• Why is this going on? (interpretative task)
• What ought to be going on? (normative task)
• How might academic/worker-student formations/movements respond? (pragmatic task)

These set of questions are intended to assist contributors to identify practices, processes or actions that may either advance or impede transformation, possibly in their own sphere of influence, and then interrogate these.

• Read more about the call .

For more information, please contact Quinton Apollis .

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Professor Elelwani Ramugondo Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements

Please view the republishing articles page for more information.

Daily News RSS

Latest articles, embed article.

By embedding this news article on your site you are agreeing to  the University of Cape Town's terms of use.