MEANING AND PURPOSE OF EDUCATION
OUTLINE
• Introduction
• Concept of Education during Ancient period:
.1. To Socrates, education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel
.2. To Plato, education is a process to lead man out of cave into the world of reality
.3. To Aristotle, Education is creation of a sound mind in a sound body.
• Concept of education during medieval period
• Concept of education during modern period
• Concept of education in Islam
• Purpose of education:
.1. Individual purpose:
.1.1. Physical development:
.1.1.1. Acquisition of sound physique
.1.1.2. Acquisition of comfortable life
.1.2. Mental development:
.1.2.1. Self-realization; Awareness of one’s abilities and goals
.1.2.2. Decision making ability
.1.2.3. Problem solving skills
.1.2.4. Creative and analytical thinking
.1.2.5. Enable to distinguish between good and evil
.1.3. Spiritual/moral development
.1.3.1. Enhancing values; love, affection, respect and ethics
.2. Social purpose:
.2.1. Building capacity to establish a welfare society
.2.2. Creating tolerance for peaceful coexistence
.2.3. Understanding values related to physical environment
.3. Worldly purpose:
.3.1. Creating skilled work force for economic development
.3.2. Scientific development for the effective use of resources
• Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
Man is like a rough diamond and requires polishing and filling before all its faculties can function fully. Education is the polishing of human personality so that it reaches its fullest development. It is a process of acquiring knowledge, developing mental abilities, and enhancing moral values. Education develops human character so that a man can live a better physical, mental, spiritual and social life.
Concept of education is as old as human civilization. It begins from the ancient civilization of Greece. Many philosophers of that era explain the concept of education with its different meanings. To Socrates, it is a kindling of flame which ignites the mind of a man in a way that it starts thinking creatively. Plato, student of Socrates gave it practical shape by establishing Plato’s academy. His student Aristotle developed it into an empirical meaning by saying that it is a creation of a sound mind in a sound body.
Concept of education was taken up into relation with ideological and religious teaching during medieval era due to influence of church. Thus, there developed the sense of religious education which had philosophical basis during ancient times.
In the modern era fundamental importance is given to education and consider it indispensable for human development. Many scholars developed the concept of education by presenting its meaning in different dimensions. Most famous among them is John Dewey. To him education is not just the dumping of information into one’s mind. It is a process of realization of one’s own ability and full potential so that a man can use these skills for the betterment of society.
On the other hand, education in Islam means to enable a man to distinguish between; reality and fantasy, truth and false hood. Allah almighty gave its vicegerency to man on the basis of education. Concept of education in Islam is the combination of religious and culture value-system teachings related to human biological, physical and environmental aspects of life.
Thus, education had always remained an integral part of human life. Although its meaning has been varying from time to time, its primary purpose remain the same; development of human personality for establishment of a welfare society. In the modern era scientific advancement and economic development are also the purposes of Education.
Thus, study of education growth is always a significant aspect of a society. The meaning and purpose of education in a contemporary world need to be examined thorough a systematic manner which is discussed below.