Aim of education (sociological and philosophical base of education) B.ED Notes

 

Concept of Aims of Education 

In the primitive days the process of education was absolutely informal.

Basically, it was meant for acquiring different skills for self-preservation. But modern education is conscious and deliberate. Thus, it is obvious that as a conscious attempt, education cannot be conceived of as without any purpose. Education is a purposeful activity. By education we intend to bring certain desirable changes in the students. As conscious effort it has definite aims and objectives. Education is an organized and deliberate endeavour to modify the behaviour of an individual with a specific end in view .The aims of education are meant to provide general direction to the educational process. They are formulated by keeping in view the needs of situation. Human nature is has multiple dimensions with multiple needs, which are related to life. Educational aims are correlated to ideals of life. The aims of education have changed from age to age and place to place. Thus, aims of education are dynamic. Educational aims enable us to determine curriculum, relevant

teaching strategies, tactics, techniques together with structuring of conducive learning conditions and experiences. Aims provide direction to our educational Education, Society and Curriculum efforts. The ‘ends’ of education are determined on the basis of ‘aims of education’. It is only after fixing the aims of education we can devise curriculum, methods and devices and harness them for attainment of desired goals.

 NATURE OF THE AIMS OF EDUCATION

In order to know the aims of education, we must know the nature of

aims. Aims of education are not fixed and universal. These are changeable

and relative in nature. We can point out some specific nature of educational

aims as follows-

As education is not a single aimed activity, plurality is an important

feature of educational aims. Different aims represent different ways

of looking into the same thing.

Educational aims differ in nature and orientation. Some are permanent,

definite and unchangeable whereas others are flexible, adjustable and

changeable.

Educational aims are related to the multiple needs of the individual, as

well as, of the society.

 Educational aims are correlated with the ideals of life. Thus, educational

aims change in keeping with the different schools of philosophy,

religious, political and economic ideals held by an individual or by a

country. Therefore, the formulation of aims of education is formulation

of aims of ‘life’, itself.

 In reality, education is a reflection of the society and a process of social

control. So educational aims are the means to shape and form a

society.l

Educational aims change from age to age and place to place .Thus,

these aims are not fixed.

 Lastly, different types of education have separate aims of education.

Thus, educational aims are changing according to the specific needs

and ideals of the individual as well as the society. Quest of educational aims

has been made since time immemorial. This quest gains momentum with

the birth of great thinkers and philosophers and with their educational.

Education, Society and CurriculumAims of Education

experiments. Social and economic issues also serve as determinants of educational aims and objectives. Education must prepare the future generation for the economic and social system of the country. In determining its educational objectives, every country has to take into consideration its economic conditions. Thus we find variability is the nature of educational aims. The Secondary Education Commission (1952) puts it: “As the political, social and economic conditions change and new problems arise, it becomes necessary to re-examine carefully and re-state clearly the objectives which education at definite stage should keep in 

Objectives of Aims of Education 

1. Development of Democratic Citizenship and Values in the People: The success of democracy depends largely upon people’s awareness of their rights and duties and the extent to which they fulfill their responsibilities. Education should assume the responsibility of providing the kind of education that would enable the students to develop qualities which are of great importance for them towards bear responsibility of a democratic citizen. Education aims at developing the ability to think and distinguish between right and wrong in people, to understand social, economic and political issues, and to reflect on the possibility of solving such problems. Thus education has a challenging responsibility with regard to moulding and directing every citizen towards democratic citizenship.

2. Training in Skilful Living: Democracy can be said to succeed only if it translates the democratic ideals to its society. And, for this, socialisation of the individual through education is essential. The educational system should be designed to inculcate some democratic values, such as scientific temperament of mind, a spirit of large-hearted tolerance, of mutual ‘give and take’, respect for the culture of other nations, etc. It is also desirable to develop such social qualities as collective feeling, cooperation, discipline, sympathy, brotherhood, etc., in the individual. Education must also aim to create faith in social justice and the willingness to rebel against injustice. Education helps people in adjusting to each other, and the educated individual is generally tolerant and liberal. Although an educated person may differ from other people in their opinions, he or she has the ability to adjust to such people because such a person can understand their attitudes. Hence, education is the only means of removing the obstacles in the path of democracy and also of achieving some adjustment between people who differ from each other with regard to language, race, caste, religion, gender, etc. 

3. Development Vocational Skill: No nation can progress in the absence of economic progress. The first duty of the state is to provide a system and means of education which imparts some vocational and professional skills to the learners so that they are able to earn their livelihood at the same time as they contribute to the nation’s economic growth. Education must aim at increasing the productive or vocational efficiency of young students for increasing national wealth of the country. Therefore, another aim of education should be the development of an attitude towards appreciating the dignity of work and productive efficiency of the individual.

4. Development of Social, Moral and Spiritual Values: The success of democracy, its strength and stability are contingent upon people’s developed sense of social responsibility and a keener appreciation of moral and spiritual values hence, the aim of education should be the strengthening and deepening of the sense of social responsibility and a keener appreciation of moral and spiritual values. Education must make efforts tpwards developing these values in people. In a democratic country like India, it is necessary to inculcate social, moral and spiritual values in the people. Knowledge in the absence of essential values may be dangerous. The success of democracy, its strength and stability are contingent upon people’s developed sense of social  responsibility and a keener appreciation of moral and spiritual values hence, education must make efforts towards developing these values among people.

5. Promoting National Consciousness: India is a land of different castes, peoples, communities, languages, religions and cultures. The achievement of social and national integration is an important aim of our educational system. The main role of education should, therefore, be to enable our students to discover ‘unity in diversity’ and in tthis way foster a sense of national solidarity and national consciousness among them. It means harmonising religions, language, caste, and class and community differences as they exist in India. There is no contradiction between national consciousness and development of international understanding. Education should promote international outlook through the study of humanities and social sciences while simultaneously developing national consciousness.

6. Development of Physical Resources: The modernisation of agriculture and rapid industrialisation should also be an important aim of education in a democracy like India. To achieve this purpose education should be linked with productivity, science should be considered a basic component of education, work- experience should be considered important, vocational education should be expanded, scientific and technical education should be improved.

7. Development of Human Resources: This aim implies changes in the knowledge, skills, interests, and values of the people as a whole. In a democracy the individual is an end in himself and the primary purpose of education should be to provide him with the widest opportunity of developing his potentialities to the fullest, through social reorganisation and emphasis on social perspectives. Cultivation of essential values in the people, development of dedicated and competent leadership and educated electorate are essential towards strengthening democracy. Education, therefore, must develop such human resources required for the defense of Indian democracy. Democracy can succeed only if most of its members have developed mature personalities through physical, mental, social, ethical and spiritual development.

Aim of education in context of present economic condition

1. Skills and training 

2. Industrialisation 

3. Human Resources Development 

4. Development of socio economic 

5. Agriculture  Advancements 

6. Better Living Standard