Functions of Education

 

Function of Education

Havinghurst and Neugarten (1964) has given two important functions of education system:

a)       Education should be a Mirror that reflect society as it is or to be stabilizer of Society.

b)       An agent of social change and a force directed towards implementing the ideas of Society.

George Payne considered three main functions of education from the point of view of educational sociology:

a)       Assimilation of traditions

b)       Development of New Social Patterns

c)       Creative and constructive role.

Emile Durkheim (1956) – Major function of Education is transmission of Society norms and values,

Hence, Various sociologist have mentioned various Functions of Education. We can broadly classify the three main functions of Education as:

a)       Transmission of Culture from one to next generation,

b)       Train people for specialised adult role.

c)       Changes the cultural heritage by developing new knowledge.

4.1.1 Transmission of Culture from one to next generation,

Education is required to perform the function of transmission and enrichment, acceptance and reformulation, change and reconstruction. It transfers the culture to the next generation and transforms the outlook of the young in the context of cross-cultural influence and in the light of future requirement for the individual and the society. It fulfils the need of the individual to become a member of culturally oriented society.

Education helps the individual to attain a set of behavioural patterns which make him acceptable cultural milieu and also equip him/her for formulating cultural milieu with the experience gained by him by living his own life,

 

Enculturation:

Marry goodman used the word Enculturation for transmission of culture from one to next generation. It can be defined as the process by which young one learns the traditional ways of society. To a greater extent, it takes place through indirect, informal and unconscious process.

The enculturation is formalised by Education. It should be based on:

         i.            Understanding of the culture of society

       ii.            Understanding of the individual

      iii.            Understanding of the unconscious ways by which child acquire cultural pattern

      iv.            Understanding of what needs to be transmitted in the light of present and future needs of society.

 

4.1.2 Training for Specialised role

According to Durkheim, education teaches the individual specific skills necessary for future occupation.

 

According to Talcott Parsons, after Primary education within the family, the school takes over as the focal socialising agency. School acts as a bridge between the family and the Society as a whole, preparing the child for his adult role. Within the family the status of child is ascribed by birth. Parents treat their children as their particular child rather than judging him in terms of a standard yardstick which can be applied to every individual. In advanced industrial society the status in adult life is largely achieved for example Occupational Status. The schools prepare the child for this transition.

 

Parsons sees the Education an important mechanism for the selection of individual for their future role in society.

“It functions to allocate these human resources within role structure of the adult society”.

                                                                                                                                                                                       - Parson

Again, the Society is dynamic and keeps changing and advancing and in order to be a part of it growing chid has to acquire latest knowledge prevailing in the society which can be formally obtained through Education.  

 

4.1.3 Change in Cultural heritage

Society Undergoes changes due to many reasons: political, economic, technological and philosophical. For example, more women are now entering the workforce, reduction in child marriages, marriage through internet etc.  Education always plays a part in its propagation. These changes mentioned above changes the cultural heritage of the society. They alter social norms and values.

Now we have to decide that which part of culture should be altered, which cultural practice should we eliminate or replace. The insight to take these decisions is developed through education.  Education helps us to know about the cultures and encourages us to question the validity of our cultural practices.

Acculturation: The Process by which individuals learns the new or emerging customs and values is called Acculturation.