CONTRIBUTION OF EDUCATION IN SOCIETY

 CONTRIBUTION OF EDUCATION IN SOCIETY

Education helps an individual in making informed decisions. It equips them with the essential skills and knowledge to be successful in their chosen field. The role of education in society is empowering an individual. It helps people to understand the world around them and their role in it.

Value Education are as following:-

1.Moral Development:

Value education is said to be the foundation of character and moral development.Value education inculcates in children sense of humility, courage, truthfulness, tolerance, honesty, courtesy, sincerity, fellow-feeling, affection, spirit of service and sacrifice and power of discrimination between bad and good which, in reality, form a noble and subtle character in children.

2.Development of Positive Attitude:

Fostering a positive and wider attitude is the handiwork of education. Value education widens the attitude of pupils towards life. This wider attitude helps them to meet the problems and contingencies of life boldly and courageously. This attitude propels them to be interested in social service and surrendering their selfish motives for a larger

3.Co-Operative Living:

Value education depreciates any form of living having conflicts and parochialism. Instead, it teaches pupils to live peacefully and work co-operatively. Co-operative living paves the way for establishment of a democratic social order. Co-operation is the hall-mark of peaceful living.

4.Resolving Conflicts and Contradictions:

Our present day society is characterised by material outlook and orientation which gives rise to constant wrangling between old and new beliefs, old and new values of life. Value education saves the society by performing its role as saviour resolving conflicts and contradictions among people.

5.Creating an Awareness:

Value education is needed for generating a sense of awareness or consciousness towards the locus of man amidst man in the present society which is marked by a trend of de-culturalisation, dehumanization and alienation from the mainstream of social life. Thus, moral consciousness is required to be enlightened by value education to save the society from all forms of catastrophes and mishaps.

Some of the latent functions include:

Social Stratification: Education can contribute to social inequality, as individuals from different socio-economic backgrounds may have unequal access to quality education. This inequality can perpetuate social stratification, where individuals from wealthier backgrounds tend to have access to better educational opportunities, which in turn leads to better job prospects and higher social status.

Creation of Social Networks: Schools and universities are not just places for academic learning; they also serve as social spaces where individuals build relationships, friendships, and professional connections. These social networks can play a significant role in a person’s future success, as they often lead to job opportunities and collaborations that go beyond formal education.

Reinforcement of Social Norms: Through education, societal norms and behaviors are reinforced. For instance, the structure of schooling often teaches conformity to authority, adherence to rules, and the importance of punctuality and discipline. While these are positive traits in many contexts, they can also stifle creativity and individuality in certain cases.

Political Socialization: Education indirectly plays a role in shaping the political landscape of a society. It instills values related to citizenship, democracy, and governance. Students are taught about their rights and responsibilities, which helps prepare them for active participation in political processes, including voting and engaging in civic duties.

Contributing to Economic Development 

Education and economic development are deeply interconnected. A well-educated population is essential for innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness. Education not only provides the technical expertise needed for specific jobs but also develops critical thinking, adaptability, and creativity, which are necessary for tackling the complex challenges of a modern economy. In this way, education drives both individual prosperity and national economic growth.

Political Impact :-

Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of a society. It helps individuals understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens, encouraging active participation in democratic processes. Through education, people learn about governance, the importance of laws, and the role of political institutions. Well-informed citizens are more likely to make thoughtful decisions at the polls and engage in political discourse, which strengthens democracy and ensures political stability.

Functions of Education:-

1.Transmission of Knowledge and Skills: 

2.Socialization

3.Economic Function

4.Cultural Continuity

Role of education in nation building

Education shift a person, just a people are essential in determining a nation's standing. Every nation is founded on education since it promote a particular level of knowledge, morals and awareness and is crucial to the development of technology. Greater literacy rates lead to quicker GDP growth and lower unemployment rates in a nation. At present nations are copying with a number of problem such as pandemic, terrorism, global warming, poverty and gender inequality .Whether they are residing or day schools, they are essential in forming both pupils and the nation. Everyone who has access to a top notch education can contribute to resolving these issues and enhancing living circumstances all around the nation.

IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN SOCIETY-

Education helps an individual in making inform decision. It equips them with the essential skills and knowledge to be successful in their chosen field. The role of education in society is empowering an individual. It helps people to understand the world around them and their role in it. Moreover it also instils in them a sense of social responsibilities so that they can contribute meaningfully to society. The role of education in human capital formation is significant, improves productivity and prosperity of a society. The economic returns of education are higher for countries with more educated populations. Education is the most important tool for social and economic development. It helps in reducing poverty, inequality and unemployment. Moreover education also plays a critical role in empowering women and girls. Thus, it can be said that education is the cornerstone of any progressive society. The role of education is not just limited to shaping our personal lives but so far it is mean to shape the entire world. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "The role of education is to change the heart of man."

Education as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development

In the face of pressing global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, education emerges as a potent catalyst for sustainable development. By promoting environmental literacy and instilling a sense of stewardship for the planet, education empowers individuals to make ecologically responsible choices and advocate for conservation efforts. Furthermore, education fosters innovation in green technologies and sustainable practices, driving the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient society. Through interdisciplinary approaches that integrate environmental education into curricula across disciplines, education equips future generations with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the complex challenges of environmental sustainability.

The paper substantiates the position that education and modern society, a 'society' in change because of present day developments in all the different sectors at local as well as national and international levels, are mutually dependent on each other. A modern national society expects its education system to provide in its differentiated education needs for their members to function effectively both in society and the international world. To effect this, society should, through the synchronizing participation of the coordinator, guide their education system according to the basic philosophy of education and should also formulate and prioritize their education needs. In addition, society should provide sufficient funding for providing for their education needs. 

THE FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE

Schools came into existence several thousand years ago in advanced horticultural and agricultural societies to prepare a select few for leadership and professional positions. Until the last century or so, no society could afford more than a handful of educated people. With the emergence of large-scale industrial and bureaucratic organizations, came a need for an abundant supply of literate and educated people. The school system became a primary vehicle by which a nation’s citizens were taught the three Rs, and the higher education became the custodian of nation’s intellectual capital. Education today is a crucial investment in the economy and major economic resources. It has also become a major military resource. Throughout the world, schools are increasingly being viewed as a branch of the state and as a serving state purposes.

Conclusion 

Education is undeniably one of the most powerful forces in shaping both individuals and society as a whole. It serves a range of manifest and latent functions that impact economic, political, and cultural aspects of life. While the direct benefits of education—such as knowledge acquisition and skill development—are easy to see, its indirect functions, such as reinforcing social norms and shaping political landscapes, are equally significant. As education continues to evolve, its role in fostering social cohesion, economic growth, and political stability will remain central to the well-being of societies around the world.