Education: a rambling thought

What is education? To be more precise: what is good education? Does it depend on the grades? What is more important: result or process?

Is cognitive skill the most important factor? Is it the only key? Are there more?

Is an education considered successful when it produces 'smart' students? Or is it when they produces students who will not be a burden to the society? Putting it to extreme cases: is it better to be a straight A's student without emotional inteligence or to be an average level student with good communication skills?

What is the goal of education?

What do you think? Feel free to leave your thought.