The 4 Pillars of Education
How a student can reach his/her fullest potential greatly depends on what is the curriculum or
list of subjects presented in the classroom. Teaching is not only a matter of giving facts, telling
who and what. Teaching is not only about developing your mind or intelligence.
It's necessary that a teacher will develop his/her students holistically. It's not enough to state a
fact or to memorize theories.Teacher should emphasize how the learning of his/her students can
benefit not only their own selves but also humanity.
It’s amazing how fast the exchanges of information today which also demands a variety of skills
needed to accomplish transactions and communications. That’s why our education should be
aligned with these changes, equipping the students with the necessary skills that this age
demands. But bear in mind that no matter how fast this world changes, our main concern is to
use these knowledge and skills to develop ourselves into a person that cares not only for his/her
own but also for the sake of other people and the community which he/she lives in.
The 4 pillars of education will be the teachers’ guiding principles to develop a kind of student
who possesses not only a big mind but also a big heart.
So what are these 4 pillars of education?
4 Pillars of education
1. Learning to know
"It's better to know how to learn than to know"
- Dr. Seuss
This pillar goes beyond learning facts. This emphasizes on how a person learns. Mastering
one's ability to gain knowledge in a smart way.
We must realize that learning is a "life-long process, " as individuals our main goal is to realize
our potential and make use of these to be a better member of the community.
Learning to know means developing our instruments to learn like:
• Concentration
• Memory
• Imagination
• Reasoning
• Problem solving and etc.
Teachers should help the students on how to process the information that is readily available
today like selecting to process the kind of information that we really need and also developing in
them the instruments they can use to master how their own selves learn.
Therefore, learning to know is not simply acquiring knowledge, it is a process of continuously
learning to develop your instruments to learn.
2. Learning to do
"To learn and not to do is really not to learn
To know and not to do is really not to know"
- Stephen R. Covey
Mastering their own way of learning will prepare them to apply what they learn which is the
focus in this pillar.
Our knowledge will be more useful if we apply it to our daily life. Teachers are expected to
develop the skills of the students that will be used to further unlock their own potential.
As society changes, the demands for skills and competencies also change. Teachers must be
updated with the necessary teaching medium to cater these changes in the society. As for
students, different opportunities will arise, therefore, they should not limit themselves with what
is presented to them. Continue seeking knowledge to develop your potential. And one way to
develop your potential is by offering your service to society. Opportunity is where the demand is.
Teachers must develop these skills to the students:
• Social behavior
• Personal initiatives
• Willingness to take risk
• Communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Adaptability
• Social responsibility
• Leadership skills
Teaching them with these skills will make it easier for them to open themselves to different
possibilities to develop their own talents and make a vision of themselves along with the skills
they started to develop.
3. Learning to live together
"Let us live and move in harmony. Let us grow together. Let us live in complete harmony
without any misunderstanding."
- Sathya Sai Baba
What is the purpose of learning? Why do we need to develop skills? Why is there a need to
make these skills useful to our community?
This pillar focuses on developing values for the learners to be a better member of the
community. We are social animals, right after we were born, we already had a community that
we belong to which is our family. As a responsible member, it’s our main concern to maintain the
peace in the society and contribute for a better community.
Understanding ourselves first before understanding others is a crucial process to take into
consideration to fully realize this pillar. Accepting that there are diversities and knowing how
these diversities can work together should be emphasized.
Values to be developed amongst students:
• Non Violence
• Cooperation
• Selfless attitude
• Developing values
• Accepting human diversity
• Instill an awareness of the similarities and interdependence of all people
To develop a sense of belongingness, using your potential for the benefit of humanity will be a
great help. Helping other people, being open for change and other people’s point of view and
respecting every culture that is different to your own are examples that our children should
manifest.
4. Learning to be
"One of the main reasons people fail to reach their own potential is because they are
unwilling to risk anything."
- Anonymous
This pillar focuses on the total development of a human person. Achieving one’s highest
potential by developing in all aspects like morals. social, spiritual, physical and intellectual.
There are different kinds of learners and each of their skills has an equal opportunity to be
developed as part of a complete development which this pillar aims for.
With the evolution of technology and information, it may be hard sometimes to deal with
information overload. Becoming fully aware of one’s personality and the society will help the
students to select the kind of information that they believe will be valuable to them personally.
Other pillars greatly contribute to what kind person you are. So in our curriculum every subject
should help us in all aspects of development.
Education should not only be available inside the four corners of the classrooms; it should be
our way of life. Education is the opportunity of our children to unfold their hidden potentials and
make way for an ideal person they want to become.
As teachers, it will not be easy for us to let the students realize their capabilities, there will
always be setbacks, unexpected failures and discouragement. Our educational system must be
guided with these 4 Pillars of Education for us to have a community whose members are fully
developed in physical, mental, emotional and social aspects.
