Education is an end in itself.
It is something which people value because it opens new horizons, extends freedom, and creates opportunities. It is also a basic human right. For both reasons, access to education is an important yardstick for measuring progress in human development. But apart from its intrinsic value, education is also a means to other ends. With education come benefits in a wide range of areas - in production, distribution, economic growth, health, democracy, and poverty reduction.