Let me start this article by saying some good things about the present education system. It can produce doctors who possess the best knowledge about diseases and their treatment; it can produce scientists who possess the expertise to build the most powerful computers in the universe; it can produce bureaucrats who best know the nuances of administration and it can produce politicians who best understand the problems of the people. It would seem we are getting the best we can ask for and so what really is the problem with the present education system?

What seem to be on the surface the right things about our education system, carry hidden perilous consequences in the long run. Now if you consider that the same education system produces doctors who can’t empathize with the sufferings of the patients, produces scientists who think humans are no different from robots, produces bureaucrats who adeptly circumvent rules and regulations to favor their political bosses and produces politicians who have no qualms in influencing the minds of the people for their own interests, you may get an idea of what really is wrong. The problem I think is, we give more importance to honing our analytical skills and not bother about laying the foundation for wisdom.

Education is best imparted by creating a holistic effect on a person. That is when I think it is most effective and useful. At present it is far from achieving that goal and the myopia that afflicts our education system is actually producing counterproductive and contradictory effects. The people who pass out of such a system are poorly equipped to deal with real problems and produce solutions that are detrimental and shallow in nature. In my view the system is best replaced with something revolutionary so that it heralds a new reality in education.

What would be a new reality in education? It is something that would help a person focus on the higher reality perceived by the mind than on the external reality he perceives because it is the mental reality that mostly matters, be it for success in his career or in his personal life.

It requires sagacity to form the right perspective of the external events and be not unduly affected by the events per se. This ability is distinct from the ability to be analytical. As a matter of fact it has been my experience that those who are overly analytical often fail to strike a chord with other humans, often see things in isolation and generally lead less fulfilling lives. However, if one’s finer mental aspects are well developed he is likely to be a good analytical thinker and can strike the right balance in thinking. The chances for enduring success in career and personal life are greater. My belief is, one can train oneself to develop such faculties.

This theme of mental reality should underpin all that we learn in our schools and colleges and should be the basis on which, say, a law of physics or the anatomy of an organism should be understood. Basically what I am saying is that we need to ask the question “why?” as we ask the question “how?”. That will certainly stoke our higher thinking faculties and pave the way for gaining a holistic and so a deeper knowledge. We can develop enduring solutions to our problems. We will begin to see the interrelations among things that we thought were disconnected and understand and appreciate reality better. I am sure it will work wonders in the development of inter personal skills too, which in my view is one of the most underdeveloped skills we possess, though extremely desirable.

Education plays a very vital role in shaping the destiny of a society. It is imperative that we develop a well thought out system for education, so that we can create a society that is enlightened and free of the shallowness and contradictions that it presently finds itself in. It is high time we work on such a foundation.

Sudden change is a reality of human life. And it presents challenges on many different levels.

Maybe it’s something that happens to you and throws everything up into the air, taking your breath away. And sometimes it’s a friend’s or a colleague’s life that’s turned topsy-turvy. However it arrives, sudden change often wreaks havoc with plans and schedules and leaves you feeling disoriented and unmoored.

Sudden Change Hits Home

I recently learned of a sudden loss suffered by a friend and colleague. My heart immediately went out to her. And one of the things I realized was that her loss had awakened similar losses for me.

So, not only was I feeling badly for her, but my own remembered griefs were reawakened.

Sudden Change: Sorting Things Out

I wanted to be supportive to her, and yet, I saw that I was having some fresh feelings about a particular loss of my own. So, in order to be fully present to my friend, I needed to sort out my own feelings and give myself some needed support before turning my attention to her.

This is so vital, because you can’t see clearly or offer what your friend needs when your own suddenly-awakened needs are asking for your attention.

Sudden Change: 3 Timely Tips

Here are 3 Timely Tips (and Action Steps) to help you sort out your feelings, get your feet on the ground, and be present when a friend or colleague needs your support in the midst of sudden change.

#1: When a friend’s crisis strikes a raw nerve for you, begin by addressing your own feelings independently.

Action Step: Avoid the temptation to ‘rush to the rescue’ when you identify strongly with a friend’s misfortune. When you allow yourself and your friend needed space to sort things out, you learn valuable lessons about yourself and your own feelings. Take a breath and settle into yourself before acting.

#2: Ask, don’t guess, what a friend in crisis might need.

Action Step: Instead of assuming you know what a friend needs, ask! Everyone’s experience is different, and what feels helpful to you may not be for your friend. Commit to a way you can help that aligns with your time constraints, comfort level, and values. Don’t over-reach – follow through is important – especially when the rest of life feels off-kilter.

#3: When big, sudden changes hit, expect to ride a roller coaster.

Action Step: Energy naturally peaks and drops when you face a sudden change or want to support a friend in crisis. Safeguard your time and your health by giving yourself some leeway. Expect things to take at least twice as long as usual, and plan accordingly. This relieves unnecessary stress and allows you to focus your energies where they are most needed.

Simply being present to a friend in crisis is probably the best gift you can give. I hope that these tips are helpful to you.

On being accused of criminal charges, you would be taken to court and allowed to present your defenses if you choose to. The State needs to prove beyond doubt that you are indeed guilty in order to get a conviction. You have a number of defenses you can choose depending on your situation. You can say that you did not do it or you can say that you did commit the crime but was justified. The various types of defenses are,

Until proven guilty you are considered innocent

In this situation the defendant does not have to take the trouble to prove that they are innocent, instead it is the job of the prosecution to convince the jury of your guilt. The jury is warned in advance and asked not to take the silence of the defendant as a weakness. The defendant can stay silent till the prosecution completes their argument and then say that the prosecution failed in proving the case. However in reality, witnesses are presented by the defense attorneys that counteract the state’s case.

The State’s Burden Of Proof

It is the responsibility of the prosecution to prove that the defendant is guilty. They have to be producing proof to substantiate the charges. This is why the defendant can remain silent and choose to not present any witnesses.

Deny ownership

The most common defense is that the person denies that the crime was his fault. They may say that there was a crime but insists that they did not have a role to play. This happens in situations where there is no visual proof of the incident.

The Alibi

This can be done if the defendant is able to prove that he was present elsewhere when the crime was being committed. This type of defense requires a person to say that he was along with the defendant in a different place when the crime was being committed. This does not mean that the jury has to believe the alibi.

Legally justified crime

This defense can be used when you agree that you have committed the crime but are justified legally. Examples include self-defense, which means you were only trying to defend yourself from being harmed.

The best way to come up with a defense is to hire a criminal attorney who would be able to let you know the perfect option of defense. Defense attorneys will be in the perfect spot to analyze and explain your legal defenses.

From the Parthenon to Delphi, a plethora of classical sites are littered across Greece. This makes the nation a must-visit destination for a historical excursion for students. But Greece has more to offer than simply insights into the past. The sun-blessed Mediterranean land can teach students how the glorious and iconic days of the past are very much connected to the study of the present.

From the Centre to the Periphery

While students of history and the Classics will visit Thessaloniki or Knossos and marvel at the way the ancient forefathers of Western civilisation once lived, they will often disconnect this from the story of modern Greece. But making a connection between the ancient past and modern shape of this famous nation is a fascinating way for students to learn about society and culture. Many will see a nation that was once the proud centre of a worldwide culture and a beacon for progress now pushed to the periphery of influence and stability in Europe. However debatable this perspective may be, this idea of how Greece has changed and now looks back on its past is open for students to explore on a school tour.

Cultural Change and Continuity

It is vital for students of geography, history and cultural studies to grapple with the subject of identity. While this can be an obtuse and slippery concept to grasp, a school tour to Greece affords students a chance to consider just what it means to be Greek, both in terms of the nation’s past and its present. Many people will not be too aware of the history of Greece after the fall of the Roman Empire up until modern times, but this nation has always been a hub of activity, and coming to terms with this development is a great way for students to consider social identity.

The Cycles and Lines of History

As students of history progress in the subject, they will need to start thinking about historiography, or the study of how history works. Since this is a bit of a philosophical concept, it can be useful to embark on a school tour to Greece and take on historiography in real life rather than just reflect on it. The way Greece has developed over the millennia and the way its much lauded past has been discussed, dissected and compared to its present culture gives students a chance to think about whether history runs in cycles or a continuous line of progress.

How Locals Reflect on Heritage

One thing that students can do on a school tour to Greece that they simply cannot do in the classroom is talk to local Greek people. While walking on the shores of Santorini or exploring the halls of the Athens Museum, students can share what they have learned about the past of the nation with the people who make up its present. They’ll get a unique take on what this past may mean and what significance it still has to locals to this day.

Angela Bowden works for EST (Equity School Travel), the UK’s largest educational travel company, providing school tour itineraries for secondary schools, primary schools and colleges. Tours with EST can also encompass a wide range of other learning opportunities in worldwide destinations.