Back to: Philosophical Foundation of Education B.ed Notes, M.A Notes, IGNOU Notes and Graduation Notes

Defining Education

The process of giving or receiving systematic instructions through which a child acquires knowledge, skills, and experience, especially in a school, university, or an environment like that. To build a nation great and glorified the youth must follow the path of education and it is the only way to make a civilized and socialized society.

Etymologically, the word ‘Education’ has been derived from different Latin words.

‘Educare’ which means ‘to bring out’ or ‘to nourish’.
‘educere’ which means ‘to lead out’ or ‘to draw out’.
‘educatum’ which means ‘act of teaching’ or ‘training’.

‘educatus’ which means ‘to bring up, rear, educate’.
‘ēducātiō’ which means “a breeding, a bringing up, a rearing.”

The most common Indian word ‘shiksha’ is derived from the Sanskrit verbal root ‘shas’ which means ‘to discipline’, ‘to instruct’, and ‘to teach’. Similarly, the word ‘vidya’ is derived from Sanskrit verbal root ‘vid’ which means ‘to know’.

Definition of Education by Different Authors

Different educationists have explained the term ‘education’ according to the need. Various educationists have given their views on education. Some important definitions are:

Mahatma Gandhi – “By education, I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in man-body, mind, and spirit.”
Rabindranath Tagore – “Education enables the mind to find out the ultimate truth, which gives us the wealth of inner light and love and gives significance to life.”

Dr, Zakir Husain – “Education is the process of the individual mind, getting to its full possible development.”
Swami Vivekananda – “Education is the manifestation of divine perfection already existing in man.”
Aristotle – “Education is the creation of sound mind in a sound body.”

Rousseau – “Education is the child’s development from within.”
Herbert Spencer– “Education is complete living.”
Plato – “Education is the capacity to feel pleasure and pain at the right moment.”

Aristotle – “Education is the creation of a sound mind in a sound body.”
Pestalozzi – “Education is natural, harmonious and progressive development of man’s innate powers.”

Discuss The Nature of Education B.Ed Notes

Like the term Education, the Nature of education is also very complex. Let us discuss the nature of education:

Education is a life-long process- Education is a continuous and lifelong process. It starts from birth and continues till death. It is the process of development from infancy to maturity.
Education is a systematic process- It refers to the set of rules and regulations which helps one to achieve their target.
Education is the development of individuals and society- Education helps to build a nation, society, and an individual strong. Where education is served there the development of individuals and society is inevitable.

Education is the modification of behaviour- Human behaviour is refined and improved through the educational process.
Education serves a purpose: in the world, everyone has a goal in their mind from the start and to achieve that goal education serves a great role.
Education is training- Human senses, mind, behaviour, activities; skills are trained in a constructive and socially desirable way.

Education helps in individual adjustment: As we know in human society survival is very difficult but education helps ones to prove themselves and achieve a certain place where they fit in that society.
Education is balanced development: Education develops a balance of a person’s mind which stabilizes them to be a part of society.
Education is a dynamic process: Education is not limited to the schools and colleges or universities, at any moment of life experience we can learn something new, education is not limited to books or buildings but to the whole universe even beyond that.

Education as growth: The end of growth is more growth and the end of education is more education. According to John Dewey, “an individual is a changing and growing personality.” The purpose of education is to facilitate the process of his/her growth.

Therefore, the role of education is countless for a perfect society and man. It is necessary for every society and nation to bring holistic happiness and prosperity to its individuals.

Aims of Education B.ed Notes

Aims to give direction to activities. Aims of education are formulated keeping in view the needs of the situation. According to a UNESCO study, “the physical, intellectual, emotional and ethical integration of the individual into a complete man/woman is the fundamental aim of education.” There is an ultimate goal of education in humans life, if someone’s greatness is to be measured it is only through education.

Difference between Individual Aim and Social Aim of Education

Individual aims and social aims are the most important aims of education. They are opposed to each other,

Individual Aims give importance to the development of an individual only. But here selfishness comes into an individual’s mind because at that time individual only thinks about the growth of his or her own by the means of education and neglects the society, here individual becomes more selfish towards his growth.

Criticism of Individual Aim of Education

The individual aim is not desirable because man is a social animal. Society’s interests should be protected.

Individual aim makes individual selfish.
Maximum freedom may go against society.
Individuality cannot develop in a vacuum; it develops in a social atmosphere.

Unless society develops, individuals cannot develop.
Who will recognize a society- where the individual is selfish?

Social Aim gives importance to the development of society through individual growth. Society plays an important role in this cycle and the growth of society is maximized by the efforts of individuals.

Criticism of Social Aim of Education

It makes the individual only a tool of government.
It reduces individuals to mere non-entity.
Society ignores the legitimate needs, desires, and interests of the individual.

It is against the development of the individuality of the individual.

Conclusion:

According to James Ross,

“The aim of education is the development of valuable personality and spiritual individuality.”

The true aim of education cannot be other than the highest development of the individual as a member of society.