CONCEPT AND TYPES OF EDUCATION

Meaning (Concept), Nature and Types of

SA)
Education :
CONCEPT
ucation is as old as the(MEANING) OF EDUCATION
inner growth and dcvelopment and human racc. It is a never ending process of
wrote Bducation, in real sense, is toits pcriod stretches from cradle to the
ressive, culturcd and civilized. It humanize humanity, and to
is very important for thc make life
individual and society. It is through cducation hat man devclops hís progress of
and reasoning, problem solving and creativity, thinking
intelligence and
positive sentiments and skills, good valucs and attitudes. It is throughaptitude,
tion that he is transformed into human, educa
social,
learns something everyday and every moment.moral and spiritual being. Man
His entire lifc is education.
Hence cducation is a continuous and dynamic process. It is concerned with
ever-growing man in an ever-growing society. Hence it is still in the process
of evolution.
Therc is great controversy in regard to the mcaning and dcfinition of
the term "Education". Divergent views have been cxpressed by different
thinkers, philosophers, psychologists, cducationists, tcachers, statesmen,
politicians and priests according to their own outlook on life. Let us discuss
some of the approaches to understand the meaning of cducation.
(1) Etymological or Derivative Approach
Etymologically, the term Education" has a number of derivations :
1. According to one view Education is derived from the Latin word
"educare" which means 'to bring up' or to nourish'. It means that the child is
to be brought up while keeping in vicw certain aims and ideals.
2. According to another vicw the term Education is derived from the Latin
word educere" which means to lead out' or to draw out.' Inother words it means
that education is to lcad out or to 'draw out' of the best in child and man.
from the
3. According to third view the term Education is derived
Latin word 'educatum' which means the act of teaching or training.'

1. Educare To bring up or to nourish

To lead out or to draw out
2. Educere
3. Educatum The act of tcaching or training

Synonyms of Education :
I. Pedagogy :Sometimes the word 'pedagogy' is used for cducation
which means to lead the pupil'. In other words pedagogy is a scicnce of
instruction for purposes of leading the pupils.
2. Shiksha :Similarly the word shiksha' is used for education. The
term 'shiksha' is derived from the Sanskrit verbalroot 'Shas which means »to
discipline', to control' to instruct' or to teach'.
3. Vidya :Sometimes the term 'vidya' is uscd for cducation. The term
vidya' is derived from the word (vid' which mcans to know'.
1
 EDUCATION IN EMERGING INDIAN SOCIETY.
(2) DifferentialApproach
In order to understand the meaning of education in a clearer and more
definite form education should be distinguished from instruction, training,
schooling, literacy, teaching and information.
1. Eduation andInstruction : In instruction we impart the
Kowiedge of aparticular subject to the student in systematic, planned and
logical way. We, of course, includethis knowledge in cducation, but we have
to look to something clsc. Aperson may be well informedbut hc may not be
an educated person. Educationis more thaninstruction as it implics acquisi
tion of knowledge and expericncc as wcll as the development of skills, habits,
and attitudes which hclp a person to lead a full and happy life. It is the
complete development of student's nersonality.
Note :
2. Education and Training : Training is given in a formal way as it
implies preparation under supervision and in a certain frame-work of rulcs
and regulations. Education can begiven ina formal as well as in an informal
way. Training is mercly a part of kind of education.
Note:
3. Education and Schooling: Nodoubt schooling is wider term than
instruction as it includes academic activities and programmes, other than
class-room instruction of comunicated information. Co-curricular activities
like educational trips, social service camps, community work and hobbies
form an important part of schooling but they are not included in the scope
of instruction. But education is still wider term than schooling. Schooling is
confined to the period for which a child remains on the rolls of an institution.
But education is a life-long process. It starts when the child is born and
continues upto the last moment of death.
Nte: I
4. Education and Literacy : Knowledge of reading and writing is
literacy. Literacy is only apart of education, Literacy, accordingto Gandhiji
"is not the end of education nor even the bginning. It is one of the means
whercby man and woman can be educated." Literacy in itself is no education.
A literate wife may be less educated than an illiterate wife and an illiterac
wife may be educated. Akbar did not know rcading and writing but all of us
know that he was the most educated person among the Mughals. He was an
able and efficient ruler. Kabir also confesses his iliteracy. He says, "I have
not touched the ink and paper and I have never taken a pen in my hand." But
we all know that saint pocts likc Kabir who are known for their wisdom,
devotion, understanding of life and the fullest development of their own
personality, are a rarc phenomenon. Beforc thc invention of the script there
was audio-education and the highest intellectual and spiritual development
took place in India before the invention of the script. Allthese examples
make the differcnce between education and literacy self-evident. Literacy
training in aschool lays more emphasis onthe subjects andtools rather than
on the personality of the educand, which is the main cancern of education.
Education is an all-round harmonious devclopment of all the aspects of
human personality- body, mind and spirit.
Note :
CONCEPT AND TYPES OF EDUCATION 3
5. Education and Teaching: Education is not teaching. Education
and teaching are not one and the same thing. We may not educate children
even if we teach them a particular subject. Teaching is only one factor in
education. In teaching we impart knowledge of a particular subject to the
students.We, of course, include this knowledge in cducation, but education
cannot be confined to teaching only. In fact, it is the all-rounddevelopment
of the student's personality and the teachers should be prepared to
contribute to this type of developmcnt of personality instead of onlyimpart
ing knowledge of a subject to children.
6. (Education and InformationyEducation is anot amere collection
of informatiön. Ihförmation may be hlpful in the coursc of education, but it
can never take the place of education. Whitehead has remarked "A merely
well informed person is the most useless bore on God's carth." Sometímes
we learn many absurd things in the name of knowledge and we are in a hurry
to impart these meaningless things to our students. Much of our knowledge
is informational. For example, 'China is our neighbouring country'-is mere
information.We impart many pieces of information in the name of History.
For example, my father is the son of S, Bhagat Singh and was born in the last
decade of ninteenth century'-this is a kind of information. Ashoka, the son
of Bindusara, was born before Christ- this also is a similar kind of informa
tion. We get many types of information in History. Perhaps the information
of neighbour country and Bindusara may not be as interesting to a child as
we think. In confusionwe think information to be education.It is confusing
to say that one has received cducation ín History. Education is something
which covers a wider canvas than History.
Thus education cannot be cquated with instruction, training, schooling,
literacy, tcaching and information. It is planned as well as unplanned,
organised as well as unorganised, formal as well as informal. Instruction,
training, schooling, literacy, teaching and information are confined to
planned, organised and formal enterprises.
Indian Concept(Approach) of Education.
Some of the important views regard1ng education given by Indians are:
1. Rig Veda: According to Rig Veda, Education is that "which makes
a man self-relíant and selfless."
2. Upnishads : According to Upnishads, "Education is that whose
end product is salvation."
3, Yajnavalka's view: According to Yajnavalka, Education is that
which makes a man of good character and useful for the world."
4. Panini's view : The famous Indian
Human education means thctraining which oneGrammarian gets
Panini says,
from nature."
5. Kautilya's view: The famous Indian
"Education means training for the country and love Economist Kautilya savs.
6. Vivekananda's view : for the nation,"
manifestation Vivekananda remarks "Education is the
of divine perfection alrcady
want that education by which character is existing in man."He further says, We
the intellect is expanded and by formed, strength of mind is increased,
which one can stand on one's own feet."
4
EDUCATION IN EMERGING INDIAN SOCIETY
7.
of Vedantic view: According to Vedantic point of vicw, the essence
man is spirituality."We need an education that t quickens, that vivifies, that
kindles the urge of spirituality
8./Shankracharya's inherent
view) in every mind."
Indian philosopher Shankracharya says,
"Education is realisation of the self."
9. Aurobindo's view : In the words of Aurobindo
1s "helping the growing soul to draw Ghosh, education
out that is in itself."
10
mind to findTagore's view :Tagore opines, "Education means enabling the
out that ultimate truth
of the dust and gives us the wealth,which emancipates us from the bondage
not of things but of inner light,
power but of love, making the truth its own and giving exxpression to not it."
of
In
other words, to Tagore cducation is that which makes one's life in harmony
with all existence."
l1. Gandhi's view : According to Mahatma Gandhi By education I mcan
an allround drawing out of the best in child and
12. Zakir Hussain's view :According toman-body,Dr. Zakir
mind and spirit."
Hussain, "Educa
tion is the work of the whole life. It begins from the
time of birth and continues
till last moment of death."3
13. University Education Commission Report : In the words of
University Education Commission Report, "Education according to the
Indian traditions, is not merely a means of earning a living;
nursery of thought or a school for citizenship. It is initiation nor
into ittheis only
life ofa
spirit, a training of human souls in the pursuit of truth and the practice of
virtue. It isa second birth, divitiyam janma."
4) Western Concept (Approach). of Education
Some of the mostpopular views of western education thinkers are as
follows :
1Plato's view : Plato remarks "Education is the capacity to feel
pleasurc and pain at the right moment. It develops in the body and in the soul
of the pupil all the beauty and all the perfection of which he is capable of."
2 Aristotle's view : Aristotle, the disciple of Plato said, Education
develops man's faculty especially his mind so that he may be able
the contemplation of supreme truth, goodness and beauty in whichtoperfect enjoy
happiness essentially consists." He bricfly
tion of a sound mind in a sound body." explained education as the crea
3. Comenius' view : Comenius characterised
education as a true
forging place," i.c., cducation gives a new shape to man.
4. Pestalozzi's view : Pestalozzi speaks of
harmonious education as Natural,
and progressive development of man's innate
5. Froebel's view:In the words of Froebel powers."
«Education
ment of what is already enfolded in the germ. Itis the process is the unfold
the child makes internal external." through which
A 6,Milton's view : Milton says, "I call,
therefore, a complete and
generous education that which fits a man to perform
magnanimously all the offices, both private and public, ofjustly,
peace
skilfully and
and war."
7. Adam's view : Adam, a modern English
education as a conscious and deliberate process in which cducationist defines
acts upon an other in order to modify the onc personality
communication and development of the other by the
manipulation knowledge."
of
.CONCEPT AND TYPES OF
sympathy and kindness are
EDUCATION
development of heart. related to heart. Modern 13

3. education helps in
Hand:Education
educand in the
development
Own feet and earn his
in the broader sense
of manual skills so(modern edcation) helps the
4. Health livelihood when needed. that he may stand on one's
:Education
emotional and social also
health of thehelps in development of
physical, mental,
(B) educand.
Analytical NATURE OF EDUCATION
Meaning
1. Education of Education or Salient Features of
is a process
itself make education. : Any single
experience or act
Education)
has an Education is not a mere serial aggrcgatedoes
intrinsic continuity.
not by
of facts. It
2. Education is an integrating process : The function of
to create integrated human
beings. Only such human blings areeducation
and capable of solving individual
is
intelligent
and collective problems.
Teacher
Education)
Pupil
3. Educationa tripolar process :Education is a tri-polar process.
It involves interaction between the pupil (educand), the teacher (educator)
and the social environment (social forces). The teacher tries to develop the
personality of the pupil in the light of the needs of the society.
4. Education a purpseful process: Education isapurposeful process.
Both the pupil and the teacher make eforts for achievingpurpose or destination.
5. Education a continuous and life long process : Education is not
limited to knowledge imparted in schools, It is a continuous and life long
process. It starts when the child is born and continues upto the last moment
of death.
6. Education-a process of individual development: Education is a
process of individual development. By individual development we mean
physical, intellectual, aesthetic, moral, social and spiritual development of
individual.
7. Education-a process of individual adjustment : Education is a
process of individual adjustment. Education helps the individual in making
adjustment with his own self, with parents, relatives, friends, teachers or
members of the socicty at large.
8. Education -a dynamic process : Education is a dynamic and
progressive process. It reconstructs a new and better social pattern accord
ing to the changing needs of time, place and society. Education in a sense is
related9. to time, place and social change.
Education theoretical aswell as practical in nature: Education
is theoretical as well as practical in nature. Theorctical and practical
knowledge of education broadens the intellectual horizon of the child,
 14
EDUCATION IN EMERGING INDIAN SOCIETY
decpens his insight, enhances his efficiency and helps him in solving educa
tional problems.
10. Education-a science as well as an art : Education is both a
SCiencé as well as an art. It is a science because of the following reasons :
) t undertakes systematic and methodical study of certain factets.
tation. Itemploys the scientific method of observatíon and experimen
(i) It discovers, cstablishes and formulates a number of generaliza
Lions about its methodology, learning, memory, attention, intercst, motiva
tion, curriculum construction, methods of tcaching and evaluation.
Education is an art because of the following rcasons :
@,.Educationist
the child isjust like an artist who moulds the raw material of
into a better, pure and noble person.
(i1) Educationist is inspired by practical end. It has practical end to
attain i.e., to help the child in acquisition of knowledge, integrated growth,
social and vocation al efficiency, and continuous reconstruction and
reorganization of expericnces.
Education can bec classified in different types on the basis of different
grounds :
(1) On the basis of subject-matter : On the basis of subject-matter
there are two types of cducation. 1. General Education and 2. Specific
Education.
1. General Education : General cducation is the minimal cducation
required by an individual to satisfy his various necds. This education does
not prepare the child for some specificjob. It aims at developing the general
qualities of child, so that his personality can devclop and he can adjust to his
environment. It enables him to behave properly in accordance with his age.
2. Specific Education : Spccific cducation trains the child for some
specific job or profession. Education for medical profcssion, engincering,
teaching ctc. are some specific forms of education.
Some of the points of diffcrence betwccn general and specific educa
tion are as under:
(i) General cducation is more liberal while spccific education is
comparativcly narrow. Specific cducation is not closely connected with the
devclopment of person's gencral personality and character. This is the task
of general education.
(ii) Specific cducation is often morc expensive than gencral cducation.
It is often centred in spccialiscdinstitutions such as college of education, medical
colleges, cnginecring collcges, polytechnics, and technical institutes ete.
(iii) General education is within the rcach of most of the people. On
the other hand only afew people can afford the burden of sending their
children tomedical and engineering colleges.
(iv) General cducation does not requirc the possession of special
mental traits. On the contrary, specific education can be really profitable
only if the individual possesses mental and physical qualitics commensurate
with the profession.
(2) On the basis of contact and influence : On the basis of contact
and influence educatio can be divided into:1. Dircct Education and
2. Indircct Education.
CONCEPT AND TYPES OF EDUCATION
15
1. Direct Education : It is equivalent of formal cducation. In it the
teacher and the taught are in direct contact.
2. Indirect Education : In it, the tcacher uses certain means other
than his own personality. These means causc an indircct impact on the
personality of the child. Many universities have undertaken to conduct
correspondence courses, which arc a fine example of indirect education.
(3) On the basis of number : The third classification is on the basis
of number. On this basis there is 1. Individual Education and 2. Collective
Education.
1. Individual Education : It is provided individually. In this type of
education the teacher teaches in accordance with his abílitics, aptítudes,
developmental level and interests of the student. There is very clos contact
between the teacher and the student. Moreover, the student gets oppor
tunities for self-cxpression. It is the expensive kind of education.
2. Collective Education : It is provided to a group of individuals
collected at one place. Formal education is often collective cducation. It is
more economicalin time and money because a single educator can teach a
large number of educands. Coliective education is the practicable answer in
the need for universal education.
(4) On the basis of scope : On the basis of scope education is
divided into 1. Narrow and 2. Wider.
1. Narrow Education : It is limited to span of time.
2. Wider Education : It is life-long.
Note: For details read Narrow and Broader Meaning of Education.
(5) On the basis of organisation : On the basis of organisation
Informal
education is divided into thrce types:- 1. Formal Education, 2.important
Education and 3. Non- formal Education. This is he most
classification and all other classifications will be covered under these. We
discuss these types of cducation separately.EDUCATION:
(C) MAIN TYPES OF
FORMAL, INFORMAL AND NON-FORMAL
Therc are thrcc main types of educationFormal, Informal and Non
Formal.
(1) FormalEducation :
Formal cducation implies modification of behaviour through an
organised system of cducation which is spccifically established for the
purpose. There is particular end in view. Both the teacher and the tau'ht
èngage themsclves in the process of cducation with pre-dctermincd objec
tíves.Certain formalities of rules and regulations arc observed. Not only the.
Laught but the teachcr also becomes formal, Conscious, deliberate and
planncd effortsare made. The child is conscious that hc is learning and he
makes deliberateefforts. The teacher is conscious that hc is teaching and for
making his teaching effective hc makes conscious efforts, and uses a number
of illustrative devices. Hcnce the type of cducation being imparted in schools
and colleges is known as foxmal education. It should be pointcd out that
formalcducation is not mercly confined to class-rOOm activities but it also
includes those activities outside the class-roomn which arc consciously and
deliberately planned. Organised activities, curricular or co-curriculár fall
 16 EDUCATION IN EMERGING INDIAN SOCIETY
under the domain of formal education. According to another view formal
education is not mercly confined to 'schooling'. It alsoincludesvocational or
-general education.
(2) Informal Education
Informal education is thát modification of bchaviour which comes
about necessarily and spontaneously, without any conscious efforts for it. In
this type of education the deliberate and planned efforts are made. Here
neither the educand nor the educator is conscious of the process. No
formalities are observed. For Cxample one goes for shopping and meets a
man who is stranger to him, but tells him something uscful. He may be told
about the rules of walking on the road. Thus formal education is not pre
planned. It is incidental. It is gained through daily activities and experiences.
(3) \ Non-Formal Education
There are various connotation's of non-formal education such as adult
education, continuing education and on the job education.
Non-formal education offers a midway approach between formal and
informaleducation. It is partly formal, partly informal. It is semi-structured,
partly intentional, partly incidental. Its major thrust is on the out of school
population in matters like mass literacy, functional literacy, improving skills,
techniques and life styles. It is a life long process integrated with life and
prepares the individual
work. It is life-oriented and environment-based and
change for the future.
Non-formal education is meant for all ages and sections of society
children, adolescents, adults, working men and womcn, the unemployed and
those with leisure, literate and the illiterate people. Non-formal education is
a process in which there is maximum participation of the learner. Open
school, open university, open learning and the correspondence courses are
various examples of such a system of education. I1el