Asato Ma Sadgamaya.....................

Education

Education is an important medium of acquiring skills and knowledge. Our education begins at home. Thereafter, as we grow we go to schools, colleges and other educational institutes. Education bring positive changes in human life. It enhances the knowledge, skill, and intelligence of a person and enables him to lead a successful life.

Definitions

1.  Mahatma Gandhi – “By education I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in man – body, mind and spirit.”

2.  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.”

3.  Dr. Zakir Husain – “Education is the process of the individual mind, getting to its full possible development.”

4.  Swami Vivekananda – “Education is the manifestation of divine perfection already existing in man.”

5.   Aristotle – “Education is the creation of sound mind in a sound body.”

6.   Rousseau – “Education is the child’s development from within.”

7.   Herbert Spencer– “Education is complete living.”

8.   Plato – “Education is the capacity to feel pleasure and pain at the right moment.”

9.   Aristotle – “Education is the creation of a sound mind in a sound body.”

10. Pestalozzi – “Education is natural, harmonious and progressive development of man’s innate powers.”

NATURE OF EDUCATION

As is the meaning of education, so is its nature. It is very complex. Let us now discuss the nature of education:

1.     Education is a life-long process-

 Education is a continuous and lifelong process. It starts from the womb of the mother and continues till death. It is the process of development from infancy to maturity. It includes the effect of everything which influences human personality.

2.   Education is a systematic process- 

It refers to transact its activities through a systematic institution and regulation.

3.   Education is development of individual and the society- 

It is called a force for social development, which brings improvement in every aspect in the society.

4.   Education is modification of behaviour- 

Human behaviour is modified and improved through educational process.

5.    Education is purposive: every individual has some goal in his life.         

Education contributes in attainment of that goal. There is a definite purpose underlined all educational activities.

6.   Education is a training- 

Human senses, mind, behaviour, activities; skills are trained in a constructive and socially desirable way.

7.    Education is instruction and direction- 

It directs and instructs an individual to fulfill his desires and needs for exaltation of his whole personality.

8.   Education is life- 

Life without education is meaningless and like the life of a beast. Every aspect and incident needs education for its sound development.

9.   Education is continuous reconstruction of our experiences- 

As per the definition of John Dewey education reconstructs and remodels our experiences towards socially desirable way.

10.                      Education helps in individual adjustment: a man is a social being.

If he is not able to adjust himself in different aspects of life his personality can’t remain balanced. Through the medium of education he learns to adjust himself with the friends, class fellows, parents, relations, neighbours and teachers etc.

Advantages of education

1.   Education makes us humble. Education creates awareness and expands our vision. We become more aware about our-self, about the society, about everything that surrounds and affect our life.

2.   It helps us develop a disciplined life. And, discipline is essential for everything that a person wants to achieve in life.

3.   An educated person commands respect in the society.

4.   Education enables us to earn our livelihood. Education empowers us to get a good job.We need money to make our living. With the advancement of science and technology, our needs have increased. Besides the basic needs of life such as food, shelter and clothing, we also need other comforts such as mobile phones, air-conditioners, car, etc. A fulfilling career ensures a satisfied life.

5.   It is a known fact that an educated person gets better earning opportunities. After completing education, we can consider starting your own business. We can also become a consultant in the area of our expertise.

6.   The study of computer science, software, and information technology will empower us to make a choice in the field of fast growing IT and internet industry.

7.   We can help illiterate adults to learn the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic.

Importance

Education is of utmost importance for eradicating the unemployment problem of our country. It is also essential to improve the trade and commerce, and to bring prosperity to our country. However, apart from an improved system of general education, there is a great need for the growth of vocational education.

Conclusion

A student must be familiar with the history, geography, religion, culture and tradition, through general education. Therefore, general education should aim at educating all students up to the secondary standard. Thereafter, depending upon the aptitude of the student, he should either opt for advanced academic education or join a vocational training institute for skill-based training.