Question- Education develops wider range of personality of an individual in all the fields. Is it nature of education that makes the matter.

Or
Explain the meaning of "education" according to some Indian and western educator?
Or
What do you understand by wider meaning of education? Write in brief.

Answer -

Wider Meaning of term Education

In its wider sense, education is not the communication of information by the teacher of the acquisition of knowledge by the child. It is the total development of the personality. In this sense, education consists of all those experiences which affect the individual right from birth till death. Thus, education is that process by which an individual freely develops himself according to his nature in a free and uncontrolled environment. In this way, education is a life-long process of growth and development. Such education is not confined to the limits of time, place and individual. Some other eminent scholars interpret the wider concept of education in the following way:

1. "In the wider sense, it is a process that goes on throughout life, and is promoted by almost every experience in life." — S.S. Macherzi

2. "By education, I mean the allround drawing out of the best in child and man-body, mind and soul." — M.K. Gandhi

Analytical Meaning of Education: In the above discussion, we have thrown light on the etymological, narrow and wider meaning of education and its concept. In the following lines, we are trying to make the meaning of education more clear by explaining its constituent factors in greater details:

1. Not Limited to Knowledge Imparted in Schools: Education cannot be confined to the processes of giving knowledge of children in schools only. Its programme goes on from birth till death.

2. Education as the Development of Child’s Innate Power: While explaining the etymological meaning of education, we have made it clear that education is developing the native endowments of a child rather than something forced into the mind from outside. Addison has rightly remarked - "Education when it works upon noble mind, draws out to view every latent virtue and perfection which without such help are never able to make their appearance."

3. Education as a Dynamic Process: Education is not static but a dynamic process which develops the child according to changing situation and times. According to some educationists, education is a purposive activity always pursuing some aims of life to which an individual devotes himself fully.

4. Education as a Bipolar Process: Adams in his book "Evolution of Educational Theory" has advocated education as a bipolar process in which one personality acts upon another in order to modify the development of the other.

5. Education as a Tripolar Process: John Dewey, like Adams, also regards education a process of development. The difference of approach between the two is that while accepting the psychological view, Adams emphasizes the importance of teacher and the child, John Dewey emphasizes the sociological view point. Hence, according to John Dewey, education has two aspects - (1) Psychological and (2) Sociological. Thus, it is the society which will determine the aims, contents and methods of teaching. In this way, the process of education contains three poles, namely -

Real Meaning of Education: We have discussed above the meaning of education in its narrow, wider and analytical sense, but none of them is the true meaning of education. In its narrow sense, education is a formal conservative process mainly confined to school campus. This formal process neglects and forces down predetermined tidbits of knowledge through set methods. Thus, it does not promote the natural development of the child. In its wider sense, education becomes a vague and informal process aiming at nothing but allowing the child uncontrolled freedom for arbitrary activities. Through such a process, it is not possible to inculcate social, moral and spiritual values in the children.

The real concept of education is a synthesis of these two processes. This synthesis will develop the child to the full according to his inherent tendencies with emphasis on concurrent development of society, of which he is an integral part. Such concept of education will develop both the child and the society of higher and higher positions of glory and cultural eminence.

Definitions of Education: The true meaning of education is a process of growth and development. However, to make this concept more clear, the following definitions are being given:

(A) Education as a Process of Drawing out the Innate Powers

1. "Education means the bringing out of the ideas of universal validity which are latent in the mind of every man."
   — Socrates
2. "Education is the manifestation of perfection already reached in man."
   — Vivekanand

(B) Education as a Process of Development of Individuality

1. "Education means to enable the child to find out ultimate truth... making truth its own and giving expression to it."
   — R.N. Tagore

(C) Education as a Process of Producing Change in the Group

1. "The purpose of education is to develop in each individual the knowledge, interests, ideals, habits and powers whereby he will find his place and use that place to shape both himself and society towards nobler ends."
   — Report of the Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary School, U.S.A.

(D) Education as a Process of Adjustment of Environment

1. "Education is gradual adjustment of the individual to the spiritual possession of the race."
   — Butler

From the above discussion, it is now clear that since the times of Plato to the modern times of John Dewey and Gandhi, various educationists have defined education in various ways. Speaking frankly, the field of education is so vast and varied that to give a specific definition of education about which all educationists agree is very difficult, if not impossible. This is because of the facts that different philosophers have different attitudes towards life. Hence, the definition of education ought to be a very comprehensive and all-inclusive one.

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