Education and State Control: The Influence of Global Ideologies on the Next Generation

Education has always been a critical battleground for shaping future generations. Recently, there has been growing concern over the influence of global organisations like the United Nations (UN) on national education systems, particularly when it comes to promoting certain ideologies. Education is increasingly being used to make students reliant on and obedient to the state, thereby attempting to diminish parental authority—especially in sensitive areas like gender identity and social values.

United Nations and the Imposition of Ideology: A Modern Reflection of Plato’s Republic?

The United Nations, through its various agencies, has a significant influence on global education policies. Some argue that this influence is akin to the ideological imposition envisioned by Plato in "The Republic," where the state controls education to mold citizens to fit its ideal.

The Role of the United Nations in Education

Global Standards and Initiatives: The UN, through organisations like UNESCO, promotes global educational standards and initiatives aimed at fostering peace, sustainable development, and human rights. While these goals are widely supported, there is concern that they also serve as vehicles for promoting a specific ideological agenda that may not align with the values of all member states.
Criticism of Globalism in Education: Critics argue that the UN’s influence in education is part of a broader agenda to promote globalism, often at the expense of national sovereignty and cultural diversity. They suggest that by setting global standards, the UN is effectively imposing a one-size-fits-all approach to education, which may undermine local traditions and parental authority.

Making Pupils Reliant on and Obedient to the State: The Erosion of Parental Authority

One of the most contentious issues in modern education is the perceived shift towards making students more reliant on the state for moral and ethical guidance, rather than their parents. This shift is particularly evident in the handling of topics like gender identity.

The State vs. Parental Authority

Transgender Issues in Schools: The introduction of transgender topics in school curricula has been a flashpoint in the debate over who should have the final say in a child’s education—parents or the state. Many parents feel that schools are overstepping their bounds by introducing children to concepts of gender identity without parental consent or involvement.
Policies and Legislation: In some countries, policies have been enacted that allow schools to provide support for transgender students, including the use of chosen names and pronouns, without necessarily informing parents. This has led to accusations that the state is undermining parental authority and promoting an ideology that not all families agree with.

The Broader Implications: Education as a Tool of Social Engineering?

The concerns about state control over education and the erosion of parental authority are part of a broader debate about the role of education in society. Is education merely about imparting knowledge, or is it also a tool for social engineering?

Education as Social Control

Shaping Beliefs and Behaviours: Some argue that education is increasingly being used to shape the beliefs and behaviours of young people in ways that align with state or global objectives. This includes promoting ideas about citizenship, sustainability, and social justice that reflect the priorities of international organisations like the UN.
Resistance and Backlash: There has been significant resistance to these trends, particularly from parents and communities who feel that their values and beliefs are being marginalised. This has led to a growing movement advocating for greater parental involvement in education and a reassertion of local control over curricula.

The Removal of God and Faith Based Instruction and Studies

One the one hand it is not surprising that God has been removed from schools at all levels. It is the simplest and easiest target in society. Combined with an influx of immigrants who adhere to other religions, the education system can appear to be genuine in their attempt to be ‘inclusive’.

We are seeing the outworking of a concerted effort to erase authority instruction and standards of behaviour. Strangely it is mainly older people who immediately agree, citing “oh the youth of today” etc., however, the reality is that the ‘dark side’ the enemy, which is most definitely at the door, has ensured its minions have legalistically removed Bible instruction and study as if it were now irrelevant.

With the removal of the Bible, it also removes the moral compass, which in turn affects respect, honour, integrity and honesty. Whilst there are still good people out in society, good people don’t get a free pass into heaven.

The Growth of Home Schooling: A Christian Perspective

In recent years, the trend of home schooling has seen significant growth, particularly among Christian families seeking to integrate faith into their children’s education. This rise is driven by various factors, including concerns about the secular nature of public education, the desire for a curriculum that aligns with Christian values, and the flexibility that home schooling offers in fostering both academic and spiritual development.

Benefits of Home Schooling from a Christian Perspective

Faith-centred Education: Home schooling allows parents to incorporate biblical teachings into every subject, ensuring that their children’s education is rooted in Christian principles. This helps in building a strong moral foundation and a deep understanding of their faith.
Personalised Learning: Parents can tailor the curriculum to meet their child’s individual needs, strengths, and interests. This personalised approach not only helps in academic success but also allows for a focus on spiritual growth and character development.
Safe Learning Environment: Home schooling provides a safe and nurturing environment where children are shielded from negative influences that may be present in public schools, such as peer pressure, bullying, and exposure to secular ideologies that conflict with Christian beliefs.
Family Bonding: Home schooling fosters closer family relationships as parents and children spend more time together. It allows parents to be more involved in their child’s daily learning and spiritual formation, creating a strong family unit centred on faith.

Cons of Home Schooling

Socialisation Challenges: One of the most commonly cited drawbacks of home schooling is the potential for limited social interaction with peers. Christian home-schooled children might miss out on the diverse social experiences provided by traditional schools, which can be essential for developing interpersonal skills.
Resource Limitations: Home schooling requires a significant time and financial commitment from parents, who must often invest in educational materials, extracurricular activities, and sometimes even specialised tutors. This can be a strain on families, particularly those with limited resources.
Academic Rigor Concerns: While home schooling allows for personalised education, there is sometimes concern about whether home-schooled children receive the same level of academic rigor and breadth as their peers in traditional schools. Ensuring a well-rounded education requires careful planning and access to quality resources.
Parental Burnout: The responsibility of managing both the educational and spiritual aspects of a child’s development can be overwhelming for parents, leading to burnout. Balancing home schooling with other responsibilities can be challenging, particularly in larger families.

Home schooling offers numerous benefits for Christian families, particularly in its ability to provide a faith-centred education that aligns with their values. However, it also presents challenges that must be carefully considered and addressed. For many, the advantages of fostering a Christ-centred learning environment outweigh the drawbacks, making home schooling a compelling choice for nurturing both the academic and spiritual growth of their children.

Conclusion

The intersection of education, state control, and global influence is a complex and contentious issue. As the UN and other global organisations continue to play a significant role in shaping educational policies, it is essential to consider the implications for parental authority and cultural diversity.

The debate over education is ultimately about who has the right to shape the minds of the next generation—parents, the state, or global institutions—and how we can ensure that education remains a tool for empowerment rather than control.

The world we live in accurately illustrates the dangers society currently delivers. We do not want our children to be subject to the wiles of the enemy if they are let loose and engage in the existing society.

We both know the problem here; if we wrap up our children in cotton wool and shield them from the ‘outside’ they will undoubtedly be unable to tackle many of the common issues. In an ideal world, we could create our own protected environments and live separate to the world as the Bible says, we are in the world. But not of the world. We are also expected to be salt and light and to be ready to share the Gospel at any and every opportunity.

Separating ourselves from society gives the impression we are sect-like, and many do derive the wrong impression. However, we cannot 100% protect and hide our children away from the outside. The Amish in the USA actively encourage their children to leave their communities to experience the typical ‘society’ the USA has to offer. Most return to the fold.

Our role as parents is to give our children the best education we can and to teach them about Jesus from an historical perspective, proving His existence, as well as all the elements that define our faith.