Education is one of society's most important aspects to help develop a person's thinking phase. Two philosophies stand out among the rest, and these are Western and Eastern. These two approaches vary significantly in how they deliver information to young or older students. This is down to the fact that Western students are more exposed to the practical application in their adult lives, while Asians are more keen to learn the theoretical solution to a problem. The definite terms that can be said about these philosophies are that the westerners prioritise active learning, which includes critical thinking, while the easterners focus on passive learning, which includes discipline and memorization. However, these ideologies aren't perfect, as they are quite flawed in their own regards to one another. 

 

Comparisons:

Western philosophy

​

The western education system is deeply influenced by philosophical thinkers such as Socrates, John Dewey, and Jean, who prioritise independence and critical thinking above all. In the western system, students are allowed to raise questions regarding the topics that they don't understand and are also able to voice out their opinions to the entire class. In this context, students undergo a process called self-growth in which they are required to think independently to solve their own problems with barely any assistance. On the other hand, teachers act like facilitators or mentors. Teachers would often try their level best to help motivate their students in times of need by catering to them if students were to stumble upon a problem. 

 

Moreover, a key part that plays a role in the Western education system is the ability of students to understand a concept instead of just simply memorising it. This helps them get a better scope of what they’re dealing with and the willingness to delve deep into the topic. This helps them significantly, as it fosters independence and a mindset in which they are more likely to accept failure just to learn from it. 

 

However, like many things, there are downsides to this approach. Students may not be able to have a structured or disciplined mindset in which they might refuse what they are asked to do by their peers. This will reduce their productivity in a working environment where the boss plays a key role. Additionally, this method is also very time-consuming and sometimes can prove a bit tiring, as the teachers would have to ensure that students must be able to understand that topic; otherwise, they would have to start from the very beginning to ensure proper clarification. 

 

Eastern philosophy

  

Eastern education is influenced by a whole host of cultures, such as Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim. In this philosophy, discipline is a must, as students are required to complete their tasks within a given time with minimal to no questions. The learning process is more passive, as it ensures that students learn through memorization and continuous effort on that particular criteria. This method is further driven by the need for students to score above one another, and this indicates early stages of competitiveness. 

 

Eastern education needs discipline in its core, as it mainly highlights that aspect as compared to the rest and not much on the creativity side of things. Students must be able to follow commands and must follow everything accordingly, such as strict rules, to ensure that they fit well within the guidelines. Teachers are really important throughout the children's education, as they play a vital role in ensuring that students are able to understand the topic at hand well. Teachers will only offer to help either once or twice, and after that, no more. This is because the teachers are supposed to be very strict and truthful. This is their way of motivation, to ensure that students don't repeat the same mistakes as last time. This approach is effective in a few ways, as students are less likely to be lazy and should be very vigilant as they are always aware of the consequences of their actions. 

 

While fostering success through discipline, this method does come with its drawbacks. This method needs students who are willing to take in open criticism. For example, if they were born in a household where their parents are always very kind, this might negatively impact that child, as he will feel annoyed at times and may not put in the effort since he is getting disciplined most of the time. This method also overemphasizes memorization and not understanding of the concept, which some students are more likely to forget as soon as they turn into adults. 

 

Why does the western education philosophy not work in poor countries? 

 

In developed countries, the western philosophy is highly praised for its creativity and flexibility for everyone. However, in developing countries, this philosophy often does not work due to a few factors. 

One of which is due to traditional and cultural etiquette; for example, developing countries often rely on agriculture to operate, as discipline and quick thinking are required in these fields. Moreover, in many developing countries, there is more exposure to crime or bad things, and to ensure that students do not inhibit this behavior, schools would need to be hard on them. Additionally, developing countries often lack the necessary equipment needed to implement the systems in an effective manner. These items are desks, chairs, and more, which can't be found in poorer regions of the country.