Secondary Education or post-primary education is of two phases. One is the lower phase known as the junior secondary education, and the higher phase known as the senior secondary education.
Most countries ensure that children are taken to secondary schools as it is mandatory regarding the fact that education is the basic right of a child, most especially primary and secondary education.
This article gives a detailed explanation of Secondary Education also known as Post Primary Education and its importance.
Read: what is post Secondary Education
What Is Secondary Education?
Secondary Education is also referred to as “High Institution”, or “Post Primary Education”, it is an education that occurs after the graduation of a child from primary education.
After the six years of completion of primary education, the child is to be enrolled in a secondary education which is of two phases.
The first one is the lower phase which is considered the final phase of basic education (junior secondary education) and the other phase is considered a preparation for tertiary or post-secondary education (senior secondary education).
Secondary Education is mandatory in most countries, most for children under 16 years of age, though most countries extend it to 20 years of age depending on the country’s mode of operation or system.
It is an immediate succession to primary education and a procession to tertiary education.
Purposes and Importance of Secondary Education
There are many purposes and importance of secondary education which include:
1. Preparation For Higher Education:
Secondary Education prepares students for their post-secondary education, especially the higher phase of secondary school education (senior secondary education). It equips them with the knowledge and skills required for colleges and universities.
2. Socialization:
It functions as a tool that provokes socialization among students by providing opportunities such as teamwork, communication, Interactions, etc thereby enhancing their social skills.
3. Civic Engagement:
Secondary Education engages students in the political and social lives of the society, their basic rights and responsibilities, etc. This acts as an encouragement for them to know the need to participate in political affairs, thereby eliminating political apathy.
4. Personal Development:
Secondary Education fosters personal development by promoting critical thinking through school work, assignments, etc, problem-solving and decision-making skills that can aid in the act of self-actualization.
5. Development of Soft Skills:
It also encourages the development of soft skills such as time management, stress management, and events planning which can be applied in every other phase of their life.
6. Vocational Preparation:
Secondary Education provides technical and vocational training for students which prepares them for their workplace and aids in the acquisition of skills and knowledge in their respective fields of study.
7. Cultural Awareness:
It keeps students aware of cultural diversities by exposing them to diverse perspectives and worldviews, encouraging tolerance among different groups.
8. Career Orientation and Exploration:
Secondary Education exposes different career paths and career choices to students, educating them on the basics of each and giving them the ability to make their own choices on the most suitable career path to follow.
Conclusion
Secondary Education aims at laying a strong foundation for human development, lifelong learning, and even for the development of society. Even without a tertiary education, students should be able to make life decisions having passed through secondary education.
