There are seven deadly devils that can manifest in various ways within the education system, negatively impacting students, teachers, and the entire ecosystem. Re-imagining education requires confronting these issues and implementing solutions that foster a healthier and more equitable learning environment.

The 7 deadly devils

The seven vices, also known as the deadly sins, are traditionally listed as:

• Pride: Excessive belief in one\’s own importance, often accompanied by a disdain for others.
• Greed: An insatiable desire for material possessions or wealth.
• Lust: Strong and uncontrolled desires for pleasure, often sexual in nature.
• Envy: Bitter resentment or longing for what others have.
• Gluttony: Overindulgence in food, drink, or other pleasures.
• Wrath: Uncontrolled anger or rage.
• Sloth: Apathy or laziness, a lack of motivation or desire to act.

These vices are mentioned throughout the Bible, are seen as harmful behaviours that can lead people away from God and towards harm.

Some interpretations emphasize the internal motivations behind the vices, while others focus on the outward actions. The concept of the seven vices is also found in other fields and philosophical traditions.

Deadly Devils of Education

These deadly devils also apply to the field of education. Re-imagining education requires confronting these issues and implementing solutions that foster a healthier and more equitable learning environment. Here are some ideas on how to tackle each sin:

Pride:

• Shift focus from rankings and comparisons to individual growth and learning outcomes.
• Encourage collaboration and teamwork over competition.
• Celebrate diverse perspectives and learning styles.

Greed:

• Promote the value of knowledge and learning for its own sake, not just for future career prospects.
• Focus on building well-rounded individuals, not just \”successful\” professionals.
• Challenge the commodification of education and advocate for equitable access to resources.

Lust:

• Shift the focus from academic achievement and grades to intrinsic motivation and curiosity.
• Promote healthy learning habits and self-regulation over external rewards and punishments.
• Create a curriculum that sparks genuine interest and encourages critical thinking.

Envy:

• Foster empathy and understanding of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Encourage collaboration and celebrate each other\’s successes.
• Teach about the dangers of comparing yourself to others and the importance of self-acceptance.

Gluttony:

• Promote balance and moderation in all aspects of life, including academics.
• Encourage healthy habits and stress management techniques.
• Teach critical thinking skills to differentiate between valuable information and “infotainment.”

Wrath:

• Create a culture of respect and open communication.
• Teach conflict resolution skills and alternative ways of expressing anger.
• Provide support for students and teachers struggling with emotional regulation.

Sloth:

• Design engaging and relevant curriculum that sparks curiosity and motivation.
• Promote active learning and problem-solving rather than passive knowledge consumption.
• Create a supportive environment that encourages taking risks and learning from mistakes.

The key is to move away from a system driven by greed, competition, and external rewards, and towards one that fosters intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and holistic well-being. This requires a collective effort from students, teachers, parents, policymakers, and all stakeholders committed to building a better future of education.