It has been vastly discussed by public about whether the purpose of education is to increase the higher quality of labour force to society or to provide a way to accomplish personal goals.
Considering the social fairness, education aims to maintain the stability of society. The unbalanced allocation of educational resources renders conflicts between people in different classes drastic. The white collar can apply the copyright and sit in comfortable office to earn millions of fortunes which are unimaginable incomes for diligent blue collars with heavy physical work in muddy outside. For low-income people, they can not get rid of the yoke on them unless using the violence such as parade and strike, which is likely to be suppressed by the authorities. To alleviate that, educations, especially those compulsory education provided by government, gives every single civilian the chance to narrow the income discrepancy. The needy children of the blue collars or farmers are able to receive as the same quality as education for offspring of entrepreneurs. Had it been for the education, it is the catalyst in accelerating mobility between different classes, those problems are able to be surmounted by personal endeavors instead of violently overturning.
In perspective of individual development, being educated is the main method for individual to enhance their professional sills or explore their interests. There are various types of education prepared for vast majority of people who devote themselves to fulfil their aspirations, whatever occupations they are carrying on and ages they are. Students can study in colleges for majoring in research of specific field; the middle age can acquire proficient abilities by part time learning in institutions to generate salaries ,such as by finding sidelines, in order to increase living standard and the gray-hair who already retire can explore their own interests such as gardening in senior citizen school to achieve mental and psychological fulfillment. Without the essential attributes of education, the prospects for everyone are a barren land without fertility.
In my opinion, those two purposes of education are compatible and mutually benefit each others. Indeed, to be educated enables individuals to reach their goals and it generates groups of high quality labour force to society simultaneously. As a powerful stimulation, such a powerful injection in society accelerate the speed of social development, since every social members have improved their skills during pursuing their dreams. Furthermore, better and better atmosphere in efficient societies with also benefit ambitious persons, as more and more opportunities the society can provide to them , which forms a virtuous cycle eventually.