1. CONCEPT OF EDUCATION BY SHARMISTHA MUKHERJEE

2. CONCEPT OF EDUCATION  INTRODUCTION: In exploring the concept of education a territory is being entered where there are few signposts. To use Ryle’s phrase, the ‘logical geography’ of concepts in the area of education has not yet been mapped. This feature of the field of education was vividly brought home to me in the autumn of 1963 when I was working on my Inaugural Lecture on Education as Initiation, and was unable to unearth any previous explicit attempt to demarcate the concept of ‘education’. It is not surprising, therefore, that in presenting at the start what amounts to a bird’s eye view of the contours of this territory, I have to rely mainly on my own previous attempt to map it.

3.  Etymological Meaning of Education: Etymologically, the term ‘education’ is derived from different Latin words; ‘Educare’ means ‘to bring up’, ‘to raise’, ‘to nourish’. Another Latin origin, ‘educere’ means ‘to lead’, ‘to draw out’, ‘to bring forth’. Another tern ‘educatun’ that means ‘act of teaching’, ‘act of instruction. Some people are of opinion that education comes from ‘E+duco’ where ‘E’ means ‘out of’ and ‘duco’ means to lead. There fore, E+duco means making internal abilities external.

4.  Importance of Education: There is no iota of doubt that education is summum bonum of human life.  Synonyms of Education: a)Shikshya: Shikshya is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Shash’ which means ‘to instruct’, ‘to teach’, ‘to control’, ‘to discipline’, ‘to order’, ‘to rule’. b)Vidya: It is derived from the Sanskrit verbal root ‘Vid’ which means ‘to know’. It implies knowledge.

5. c)Pedagogy: It is a Greek word used for education. Pedagogy means to lead the boy. It is the science of instruction to pupils. d)Andragogy: It is the art and science of teaching the adult learners. e)Mathetics: The concept is given by Thomas and Gilbert. It comes from the Greek word ‘mathein’ which means ‘to learn’.

6.  Western Concept of Education : Plato: “Education is the capacity to feel pleasure and pain at the right moment.” Aristotle: “Education is the creation of a sound mind in a sound body.” Rousseau: “Education is the child’s development from within,” Spencer: “Education is complete living.” Dewey: “Education is a continuous reconstruction of experience.”

7.  Eastern Concept of Education : Rigveda: “Education makes man selfs-reliant and selfless.” The Upanishad: “Education is that whose end- product is salvation.” Vivekananda: “Education is the manifestation of Divine perfection already existing in man. Man is endowed with quality of perfection.” Aurobindo: “Education is helping the growing soul to draw out that is in itself.”  Eastern Concept of Education : Rigveda: “Education makes man selfs-reliant and selfless.” The Upanishad: “Education is that whose end- product is salvation.” Vivekananda: “Education is the manifestation of Divine perfection already existing in man. Man is endowed with quality of perfection.” Aurobindo: “Education is helping the growing soul to draw out that is in itself.”

8. Gandhi: “By education, I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in child and man-body, mind and spirit.” Nehru: “Education is one that enables the individual to be a producer as well as a good citizen.” The Education Commission (1964-66): “Education ought to be related to the life, needs and aspiration of the people so as to be a powerful instrument of social, economic and cultural transformation.”

9.  Analysis of Definitions : After an analysis of definitions of Education given by the indian and the western philosophers, we can categorize them mostly in three major heads, namely (a) Spiritual emancipation of human soul, (b) Development, enhancement and realisation of individuals inherent potentialities, and (c) Development of socialization and Civic awareness.

10.  Education is both a Science and an Art : In the present perplexed world, education is nothing but development of competence. In other words, information, knowledge, skill, etc. are to be provided to man through education. Such education is true which is geared towards wellbeing of the individual as a person development community, nation and the human race at large.

11.  Education as and Art : There has been a bone of contention whether education is and art of science. Some say it is purely and art. And art is learnt directly by continuous practice, education needs constant and continuous practice. Art refers to work, activity and development of skills.  Education as an Science : Some people consider education a science. Science is a system of truth in which a search is made for finding out truth for its own sake through a definite language and terminology.

12.  Narrower Meaning of Education : In narrower sense of the term, education is equaled with instruction given in formal educational institutions, namely schools, colleges and universities.  Broader or Wider Meaning of Education : Education is a life long process, it is continuous. It starts from the mother’s womb and ends in the tomb.

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