Aim of education

Abstract

The aim of education is important to know how would education will help an individual in their lifespan.

Aim means the objectives of a plan which are going to meet by the action. Aim of education can be said to be the objective or goals of education which meet the interest of an individual and lead the society towards development.

Importance of aim of education in society:

Intellectual Achievement: To provide students with academic knowledge and skills in order to prepare them for post-secondary education or the workforce. This has been the most agreed upon aim of education. Most parents want their children to reach high standards in math, English, history, and science.

Prosocial Values: To train students for responsible citizenship and prepare them for adulthood through socializing them in the norms and values of society. Teachers, who symbolize authority to the child, emphasize the values of a democratic society, such as patriotism, obedience, honesty, cooperation, competitiveness, and moral responsibility.

Economic Competitiveness (social efficiency): To provide students with skills and knowledge needed to be competitive in a global economy; become an effective and efficient workforce; and prepare workers with values and socialization needed in the workplace through developing attitudes such as punctuality, cooperation, and following rules.

Personal Growth: To help students find self-fulfillment, personal relevance, clarification of personal values, communication and self-expression skills, and development of effective learning styles. Student interests and feelings are emphasized. The curriculum is created collaboratively between teachers and students to help students reach their potential.

Socialization and Culture: To impart culture to students through great ideas of western culture, such as works of art, literary classics, and basic skills so that they are literate and cultured citizens and can participate intelligently in American society. Schools are places where students from diverse language and cultural backgrounds learn English and learn about American traditions, holidays, historical figures, geography, and democracy.

Social Change: To help students become productive citizens that are capable of changing the social order through emphasis on social issues and solving social problems. Students are provided with the knowledge and skills to improve society and are given opportunities to see themselves as both individuals and contributing to the group and the larger society. They are encouraged to participate in community service or service learning, so that they become reflective and responsive about the needs and problems in their community. The purpose of education is to advance social mobility, rather than perpetuate the status quo.

Equal Educational Opportunity: To ensure that all students have a free education, common curriculum, opportunities for diverse students to attend the same school, and equality of financial expenditure in a given locality. There is clear evidence that certain groups in American society are denied equal opportunity economically, socially, and educationally. It is essential that all children, regardless of race, ethnic background, gender, religion, socioeconomic level, or language, receive a quality education. A balance between diversity and unity is needed in schools.

Problem Solving: To teach students how to learn through the development of thinking, research, and study skills so that they become excellent problem solvers and creative thinkers who are capable of dealing with change. The rapidity of change today, technological advances, and the explosion of information require that students develop tools for lifelong learning.

Factors which affects the aim of education in society

1.Nature of Reality.

Aims of education have direct relationship with the prevailing philosophy of life. The philosophy of life at a certain time is influenced by the views of eminent thinkers and schools of philosophy.

According to the idealistic view, the aim of education should be self-realisation or unfolding of what is potential within the child. According to the naturalistic view-point, self- expression or self-gratification should be the aim of education. The pragmatists think that education should aim at enabling the individual “to control his environment and fulfill his possibilities.”

2.  Human Nature

Educational aims have often been decided keeping in view one or the other element which comprises human nature. Idealists regard ‘unfolding the divine in child and man’ as the aim. To naturalists, the aim of education is ‘self-expression.’

3. Political Ideologies and Individual-State Relationship.

Political ideologies influence the aims of education. Under a totalitarian system, the aims of education will be much different from those under a democratic political system. Under the former, the system of education becomes stereotyped and education takes the form of indoctrination. School and text-books must promote the ideology of the State.

Under the latter (democratic), the individual enjoys freedom and free play. The goal of education is the good man who is to be educated for a life of freedom. Education aims at developing the full personality of each individual, irrespective of caste, creed, class or religion.

4. Socio-Economic Problems.

Socio-economic problems of a country also determine the aims of education. For example, the Indian Education Commission (1964-66) put emphasis on “increasing productivity’ as one of the national objectives of education.”

5. Exploration of Knowledge.

Exploration of knowledge is a potent factor in determining aims of education. With the advancement of scientific and technical knowledge, education all over the world has become science-education

Conclusion

The aim of education should be holistic development of the individual. An individual is the foundation of the nation. It is important that their education must be according to their needs and interests. 

Reference.

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Published by suhawana