What are the goals of Education? To keep society functioning smoothly, it must perform a function. To this end, it sorts people for placement in the labor market. Those with the greatest level of achievement will be trained for the most important jobs, thereby achieving the highest level of income. In contrast, those with lower levels of achievement will be trained for the least important jobs, but with the lowest income. This is what is commonly known as “selection by merit.”
Throughout the educational process, these three elements of development continue. Different ages approach these in different ways. Children learn social skills and basic language and math skills. They also develop creativity and personal thinking skills through arts and crafts. Later, a greater emphasis is placed on esoteric lessons and cognitive skills. The concept of education is very old. It dates back to ancient China. In this period, the imperial examination was a standardized test that was used to select able candidates for government positions.
Education is an essential component of society and should help students acquire the instruments of knowledge that they will need to succeed in life. Education should help students acquire essential tools for learning, including oral and written expression, literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, and critical thinking. It should develop a student’s full potential, including their mind, character, and physical capabilities. It should also promote a healthy lifestyle, encourage independence, and help them realise their potential.
Early civilizations started education as a natural reaction to their culture’s needs. Adults trained the young in skills they had acquired. This practice of transmitting knowledge has been a crucial part of culture’s evolution. In pre-literate societies, information was passed on through imitation. In the course of time, this practice evolved to the use of written symbols and letters. The process of knowledge transfer has continued throughout history. In the past few hundred years, the evolution of education has been accompanied by a shift in the human mind.
Since the first century, the number of children attending school has increased dramatically. Previously, only a minority of boys attended school. Today, 91 percent of children in developing countries attended school. Yet, despite the progress in education, there remains a global learning crisis. According to a recent World Bank study, 53 percent of children in low-income countries cannot read a simple story. Education is the most important way to achieve equality of opportunity.
While some cultures have no formal educational system, others do. As societies grow, the amount of knowledge available to pass on increases. As a result, there is no longer enough time for one individual to learn all there is to know. In such a case, selective methods of cultural transmission are developed. This process is known as enculturation. The process of enculturation helps children to learn more about the culture they come from. Educational practices of primitive societies reveal prehistoric education.
Technology is increasingly influencing education. Computers and mobile phones have become ubiquitous in developed nations. New technologies allow educators to use these technologies to create innovative learning environments. Distance education, online learning, and blogging are examples of new ways of education delivery. And, these developments are only the tip of the iceberg. Education has never been so important. It will continue to change as the world grows. The possibilities for learning are nearly limitless. So, how do we continue to provide the best education possible for every person?