The schools not only contribute towards the education of an individual but it goes far than that in building students for the future lives. Usually, the first part is categorized as main purpose of education but the latter part is more important in today’s world. The sole purpose of education is seen as increasing human skills only which are often called as job specific skills. One of the economics professor at George Mason University, states that at least 30% of the function of institutions is to only provide education and 70% shall be focused on personality development. Whereas, the research suggests that almost 80% of the attention is being paid to 30% of the function.
In other words, it could be said that the purpose of education is to serve public purpose rather than serving own self-centered concerns as they are centers of social change. One of the researchers had identified the purpose as it is not merely to understand the concepts but it is to challenge those concepts with in-depth understanding. Whereas, education in current landscape has become contradictory to all such views because there is hardly any room for improvisation to students. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that current educational system encages the students rather than facilitating them in liberating themselves. All the societies have different perceptions of educational system, however, one point on which all agree is that it is place where teaching, research and co-curricular activities are accommodated in an organized manner. Education was available only for high social classes prior to World War II.
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Education in developed countries has taken a complete transformation and that is the only reason of their educational systems being one of the best. The basis purposes of educational system can be divided into following four broad categories:
1. Wisdom and Knowledge
Education is not primarily for enhancing the intellectual level but it is equally important for the training of souls. Institutes of high quality pay equal attention towards morality which helps in not only acquiring knowledge but increases the wisdom of people.
2. Aims of the social order
The educational institutes have a responsibility of enlightening the individuals with the modernized and required concepts of today’s world. Leading educational systems find its guiding principle in the aims of the social order for which it prepares. The value of democracy, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity shall be taught to the individuals in order to preserve freedom and help societies in progressing.
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3. Love for higher values of life
Students are going to be responsible citizens of the country, therefore, they play a high role towards greatness and success of a country. It is often felt that greatness of a country depends on territory, wealth and communication but that is a false paradise. The greatness lies in love for higher values of life. These high values are taught by institutes including caring attitude for the poor and sufferers, respect for women, faith in brotherhood regardless of any race, caste, creed, color or religion.
4. Training for Leadership
One of the main functions is to train the youth of today in becoming leaders of tomorrow. Students studying in various institutes become an active part of the societies in future and therefore, leadership is needed in profession and public life. Thus, it is the function of higher education institutes in training male and female students for wise leadership positions to take in future.
By;
Daniyal Ahmad
The blogger hails from Lahore and has been writing content for various leading platforms since 2015. Education, Current Affairs, Sports and Social Issues are the expertise of blogger. The blogger can be contacted using his email address daniyal.ahmad71@gmail.com