Question- “Education is a tri-polar process.” To what extent do you agree with this statement of John Dewey?

Answer -

Tripolar Aspect of Education

John Dewey has considered education as a tri-polar process. He considers society as a major element of education in addition to teacher and learner. According to him, education is a 'social process'. It helps in the reconstruction of society. Dewey has given utmost importance to the social element of education.

According to Dewey- "All education arises from the active activity of the individual in the social consciousness of the species."

Education is the Process of Development - The child is born with some innate powers. These powers are both physical and mental. In these powers, it receives mental powers from the environment. The kind of circumstances or environment he receives, in the same way his powers develop. With proper development of these powers, a person is able to adjust in the environment of intellectual, emotional and will power. As Horn said -

"Education is the continuous process of developing a physically and mentally developed, free and conscious mind towards God, which is expressed in the environment related to the intellectual, emotional and will power of man."

The real meaning of education is to grow from within. The inherent powers of the child are developed. This development takes place according to the social environment. According to Rousseau: "Education is the development from within and not accumulation from outside, that is through the action of natural instincts and interests and not as a response to external forces."

Education is a Conscious and Purposeful Process - The process of education is a conscious and purposeful process. The person does this process subconsciously. It is beneficial for this. It brings about a change in the behaviour of the person. These are the changes which are beneficial for the human being and the society, because by changing himself, man also changes the society. In the words of Brown - "Education is a consciously controlled process, through which changes are brought about in the behaviour of the individual." From the above discussion, education is actually a three-pronged process. It is completely based on the nature of education. On investigation, the statement of Jan Dewey proves to be true.

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