When it comes to the effectiveness of education, defining education is indispensable for a proper understanding of the background and only after clarifying that, can we evaluate the effectiveness of education. Socrates pointed out that the real education is the process that an insightful teacher, with a few passionate students, discussing the issues they concerned. By this definition, Socrates had taken two elements into concern: passion and concern, which could be translated in modern context as interest and need. And the ancient Greece had witness his success with the dialogue mode he initiated. However, could contemporary society reproduce his success? I would like to make a comparison between modern education and the individual oriented mode epitomized in the dialogue mode of Socrates.

Firstly, the purpose of education has shifted from nurturing philosopher into the bringing up of social talents. Mass education in today's world is much skills-oriented, including academic skills. Only the philosophy subject may remain untouched (intact) by the pragmatic mindset. It only be put this way that it is the need of society calls for education rather than the interest within the learner's inner voice. Unduly freedom in the development of individual interest may lead to the individual unemployment and eventually incurs chaos in society. In this sense, the criterion for the effectiveness of education should be the compatibility with social need.

Secondly, nowadays education is not only accessible to elites and nobles, the demands for higher education have exceeded the wildest imagination of the ancient Greek philosopher. The individual-orientated mode is not viable with the limited educational resources. In order to nurture billions of Plato, billions of Socrates is needed. Obviously, this is out of the question. We should allocate the educational resources in a rational way, meeting the general need of the majority, with a few institutions offering personalized education.

Finally, although I concede that interest helps one's learning greatly, we should also take into consideration that student’s interest, especial the young, is fickle, if they are interested in education at all. As I believe, mature learners know they what they need, and resort to education, however young minds could be rather reckless, craving for the natural beauty, the bucolic scenery, indulging in the adventures with his little companions. Actually compulsory education in nature has deprived people’s other choice, and assumes that students would be interested in at least some of the field. So I think it is not meeting the individual interest that of the prime matter but stimulating the individual interest.

In sum, catering the interests and needs of every individual is neither feasible nor possible. Only when education rationally meets the need of society, and successful evoke students interest rather than catering them, will a effective education be expected.