"The outlook for mankind ... is a race between education and catastrophe."
H.G. WELLS p105
"The Fate of Homo Sapiens"

"The basic function of all education, even in the most traditional sense, is to increase the survival prospects of the group. If this function is fulfilled, the group survives. If not, it doesn’t."
POSTMAN & WEINGARTNER p195
"Teaching as a Subversive Activity"

"Man is even as steel, the essence of which is hidden: through admonition and explanation, good counsel and education, that essence will be brought to light. If, however, he be allowed to remain in his original condition, the corrosion of lusts and appetites will effectively destroy him."
Bahá’u’lláh B.E. (1987) p3

These quotations are extraordinarily blunt. Quite simply they say that if the human race goes without education, or the education they get is useless, then humanity faces catastrophe, extinction and destruction. We have only to look around us, to watch the television or read a newspaper to see this for ourselves. Most of us know how important education is for our children, but how many of us act as though we understand that importance? How often do we seriously reflect on the meaning of the words of our sacred scriptures and authoritative pronouncements and then act upon our newly gained insights?

" ... the training of children ... is among the weightiest of principles in all the Divine Teachings ... The utmost care must be devoted to these matters; any neglect of them, any failure to act on them, is not permissible." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p16

"... the education of children ... is the foundation of the Law of God, and the bedrock of the edifice of His Faith." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p21

"According to the explicit divine Text, teaching the children is indispensable and obligatory." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p25

There seems to be a consistent message for us here. Expressions such as "weightiest of principles", "utmost care", "Foundation of the Law of God" are not intended as casual asides by the Centre of the Covenant. We are being told that on the education of our children the very Faith of God rests. Neglect and failure are not permissible. We must teach our children and we cannot do without it. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá could not make it any clearer. Yet, still, as a whole Bahá’í Community, we often fail to respond to the urgency and the gravity of the task.

At the basest level of self-interest we might mutter to ourselves: "What’s in it for me?" Especially if we do not have children of our own, or children of school age. Strangely enough, the Writings have an answer for this:

"Blessed is that teacher who remaineth faithful to the Covenant of God, and occupieth himself with the education of children. For him hath the Supreme Pen inscribed that reward which is revealed in the Most Holy Book. Blessed, blessed is he!"
Bahá’u’lláh B.E. (1987) p7

"Whoso is active in those meetings whether as a teacher of the children or a sponsor, will certainly become the recipient of confirmations from the invisible Realm, and endless bounties will compass him about." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p21

Blessings, confirmations and endless bounties will be the lot of anyone who teaches children or helps others to teach in any way. And if that does not prove sufficiently convincing, there is more:

"If one should, in the right way, teach and train the children, he will be performing a service than which none is greater at the Sacred Threshold."
‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p24

So, there is no greater service in the Faith than to teach and train children. All other forms of service rank equal or beneath child education. Sobering thought, is it not?