"How wide the difference between those schools taught by the prophets of God, and our modern institutions of learning! How few schools are to be found that are not governed by the maxims and customs of the world! There is a deplorable lack of proper restraint and judicious discipline. The existing ignorance of God's word, among a people professedly Christian, is alarming. Superficial talk, mere sentimentalism, passes for instruction in morals and religion. The justice and mercy of God, the beauty of holiness, and the sure reward of right-doing, the heinous character of sin, and the certainty of its terrible results, are not impressed upon the minds of the young. Evil associates are instructing the youth in the ways of crime, dissipation, and licentiousness. CE 63.1"
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Both passages contrast worldly values with Godly values. Romans 12:2 calls for transformation by renewing the mind, while EGW criticizes schools governed by worldly maxims and the lack of emphasis on God's word. The core idea of resisting conformity to the world connects them.
"Are there not some lessons which the educators of our day might learn with profit from the ancient schools of the Hebrews? He who created man has provided for his development in body and mind and soul. Hence, real success in education depends upon the fidelity with which men carry out the Creator's plan. CE 63.2"
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
EGW's statement about education needing to develop body, mind, and soul based on the Creator's plan is directly linked to the principle that God created man in His image (Genesis 1:27). The implication is that education should reflect this divine design.
"The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul. In the beginning, God created man in his own likeness. He endowed him with noble qualities. His mind was well-balanced, and all the powers of his being were harmonious. But the fall and its effects have perverted these gifts. Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man. It was to restore this that the plan of salvation was devised, and a life of probation was granted to man. To bring him back to the perfection in which he was first created, is the great object of life,—the object that underlies every other. It is the work of parents and teachers, in the education of the youth, to co-operate with the divine purpose; and in so doing they are “laborers together with God.” [ 1 Corinthians 3:9 .] CE 63.3"
"For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building."
Ellen White directly references 1 Corinthians 3:9 in this passage.