Does Education Encourage Conformity?

Education is a very interesting and almost too complex of a topic to analyze when it comes to conformity. Some might say that education itself is conformist, while others believe that it is natural to fulfill one's curiosity about the world. In either case, I believe that education is an instinct. As human beings, we naturally tend to question our surroundings and seek answers. But then what is the role of teachers in our society? Well, as our curiosity begins at a young age, this is the time at which the mind is most impressionable. If teachers spend more time working to mold the creative ability of children and fostering their skills of analysis, education in the future becomes automatically individualistic. By the time students hit the area of junior high or high school, their role must be to take factual evidence and use the abilities shaped over the past several years to formulate their own opinions rather than conform. I define conformity as being told what to think and how to think. This is entirely up to the person who is being taught. If the student is confident enough in their individuality to buck the teacher's forced views (if there are any) then non-conformity can be achieved. This is not the teacher's responsibility. Those skill should already be in function when the student hits maturity. Thus, I cannot categorize education as conformist or non-conformist, but I can say that conformity ultimately lies in the hands of the individual. There are certain suggestions that can be taken into the traditions of education to improve the students' journey into independence and uniqueness throughout their life.