Intro to education

 Man is Gods’ highest creation. He has been made superior to animals on account of his intelligence. Hence, his life is sophisticated comprising of various needs. The primary needs of man are three- food, clothing and shelter. However, with the advancement of civilization, these needs have increased to include health, entertainment and education as well. With the progress in civilization, man has progressed as well. He was able to do so because of his ambitions and aspirations to succeed. All this progress has happened due to education. Education has made it possible to enable man to live in the modern scientific era.

But, what exactly is education? Many philosophes have pondered over its meaning. They did even come up with all sorts of definitions to suit their own understanding.

Literally, the word education has come from a Latin word,’educare’ or ‘educere’ which means ‘to bring forth’ or ‘to bring out.’

“Education is not only the gaining of knowledge and information but also necessary skills, habits and attitudes for living a worthwhile life.”

The ultimate function of education is that it brings out the best in man- the best from his mind, body and spirit. This implies that all knowledge is inherent within the child. His brain is capable of learning any skill-only that he is more inclined towards a particular one for which he has a talent. If knowledge is inherent, then specific teaching methods should be found by which this knowledge is to be tapped. This gives us the understanding that a child isn’t like a well where water is drawn out. A child is like a bank where something must be put in before something is drawn out. To make a child perform with talent, he must be first exposed to first-hand knowledge and experience.

Historically, many philosophers attempted to define education. Socrates was the first to do so. His mother was a midwife and his father, a sculpture. He compared education to his mothers’ profession. Education is midwifery and a teacher is like a midwife. Just like a midwife helps the mother give birth to a child, the teacher helps the student grasp the concept whereas he does the learning all by himself. Socrates didn’t compare education to his father’s profession because a teacher cannot carve out a student and leave him passive. A student is not passive.

Other thinkers are divided over the idea of whether ideas are innate or the mind is like a blank slate on which ideas are carved. Actually, the truth lies in the middle. Mind (internal factor) and the environment (external factor) both play a part in education.

Education- an attempt to develop a man

Education serves many purposes. One of the functions of education is the development of personality. It develops the person-his mental, moral and physical capacities. It develops his individuality so that he can contribute to his social environment and improve it. It develops the faculties in man by which he enjoys he enjoys the truth, goodness and beauty in which he finds actual happiness. Man is completely developed when he can understand observations and objectivity. An educated person has a critical mind. He can adjust himself to his ever-changing social environment.

 

Modification of behaviour

“If education makes the mind and the mind makes the man, then education makes the man.”

Another important function of education is that if properly benefitted from, education is capable of modifying a person’s behaviour. It gives shape to a man. It transforms instinctive behaviour into human behaviour.

“You do not educate a man by telling him what he knows not. You educate him by making him what he was not.”

Act of training

Even animals train their young, but it is not conscious or well organized. It is done by imitation. In the case of humans, training is conscious and rational. A human’s child is trained from the very beginning. In the later years, it is training by education that controls the level of physical and mental response. It tells the difference between right and wrong. It gives reasoning power to individuals to cope up with the problems of life. It teaches humans to think and do the right things at the right time- to grasp opportunities and tackle problems.

According to Plato, it teaches people “to feel pain and pleasure at the right time.”

Education is direction

Education is a wise direction. Every child is born with a few impulses and instincts. These instincts should be properly channelized. Every child has hunger- hunger for food; for play; for attention etc...  They have to be appropriately satisfied and socially acceptable. Education should direct the child to have worthy sentiments-interests and hate evil tendencies. It should enable the mind not only to know what’s right but also to choose the right. Wise direction includes guidance and control. Education would guide you towards the right path and would also keep a check on antisocial and unnecessary activities. There are two ways of directing. The first is by indicating or telling and the second is by setting an example. For instance, if you want your child to practice cleanliness, you can either tell him to do so or demonstrate to him by being clean or tidy yourself. So one is the method of percept and the other is that of the example. However, it is said that example is a more effective method because the results are effective and long-lasting. Nevertheless, at times, indication also proves useful.

Limitation

While directing, care should be taken not to violate the child’s nature and go against the child’s brain. Before directing him, his nature, aptitude, interests and potentials should be taken into account. A direction is wise only when a child is prospering and satisfied. On the other hand, a poor direction creates an egocentric personality.

Integrated growth and development

This means a development in all directions. Man undergoes changes from birth till death. These changes are physical, mental and emotional. Whenever there is a change, there is growth which is the process of transformation. These changes are stimulated by two factors-training and environment. The mind grows because of education. So getting an education means growing up.

Who is capable of growing? The immature person. The one who isn’t fully grown. The one who has the scope to learn and grow. Such a person has two traits that make him capable of growing.

1)      Dependency

Such a person lacks the essential qualities to become an independent person. This trait will cause him to learn and seek help from a mature person. He’ll learn those things that will make him stable.

2)      Plasticity

Plasticity is directly proportional to learning. A child is more plastic than a grownup. He can easily learn the things taught to him. Plasticity decreases as one grows older.

 Life is a bundle of habits- good, bad and indifferent. Education promotes good habits and prevents undesirable ones. Building good habits make life easier. It saves time, energy as well as resources. It also quickens the path to one’s prosperity. Growth should be positive. The whole personality should be considered- all aspects be developed simultaneously.

 

Continuous Reorganization and reconstruction of Activities and experiences.

 

Education is growth and growth never stops. It continues throughout life. Even in the later years, there is some scope of growing. No one is fully grown. Hence, the process of education never stops. The purpose of education is to preserve the norms and culture of the past and transmit it to the upcoming generations. But that’s not all. It also adapts itself to the requirements and demands of the new generation. Every generation meets with new situations which have to be dealt with accordingly. Life is dynamic so education must amalgamate the old and new-undergoes process of reconstruction.

 

Education is emancipation

Education is liberation from the dark abyss of ignorance. An educated person is aware of his surroundings. He understands the meaning of life as well as the art to live it satisfactorily. He gets capable of making wise decisions in his life. He knows what’s best for him.

“Education s lifting the mind out of blind alleys.”

 

Education is influence

An educated person’s influence is not limited to the classroom only but he exerts his influence upon his environment as well. He can control his environment. He can be a source of inspiration for others. Education helps him to realize his inner nature and destination.