How Does Education Contribute To Community Development Essay
INTRODUCTION
Right since ancient times, quality of life, values at social and individual levels, and spiritual and material progress has been direct products of education. Of course, the form and the methodology of education have been undergoing transformation constantly and consistently with changing times. In ancient times, education was very intimately connected to religion and the social values of the day. But, during the recent centuries, the scope of education has increased enormously to include much more than what it did previously.
Human beings are to educate and to be educated. The primary aim of education is to sustain individual and societal improvement. This process contains both tangible and moral dimensions. Educational programs and policies play a pivotal role in this social and individual progress. Social progress clearly indicates a general development in the community in terms of economic, social, and cultural aspects. In sociological terminology, social development is used as a concept displaying all positive developments in the social construct.
How Does Education Contribute To Community Development Essay
To put it differently, this is to state a society that is considered to be progressing and changing from a fairly less decent situation to favorably better conditions with respect to economic, social, and political issues. The main difference between the living and the non-living is that the former always renews itself. One of the mechanisms which provide and maintain this renewal is education. Thus, the comprehension and explanation of the role of education in this social development are of paramount importance so as to understand the previously stated progress and change.
THE ROLE OF EDUCATION ON SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT
- EDUCATION AND SOCIETY
Societal and natural conditions determine the role and function of education. Within the relationship between education and society, the most salient feature of education is its communal side. The social context is imperative for education to function well. Society and education complete each other. Society cannot carry on without education and vice versa. Education affects not only the person being educated but also the whole community starting from his/her family. In other words, raising a sufficient number of efficient people for a more prosperous society is the duty of education and educational institutions which have certain functions in the community.
Each educational institution establishes relationships through mutual interactions. Education, as a phenomenon, is both a social foundation and a process occurring in society. If established a prior and hierarchical sequence, society can be regarded as the objective, and education can be considered as the indispensable means of this objective. In this respect, research into the functional relationship between education and society and its other institutions is of great importance for community development.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
Community development is overall development. In this respect, the educational system and economy are two closely related social institutions. Schools are an important component of the educational system and provide instruction and personality formation which enables economic progress and community development. Community development and change are particularly related to the education and instruction that which social problems are identified and citizens are informed about these matters in a democratic way. Educational facilities are important due to two reasons:
First, it is to prevent people from falling behind under changing social and economic conditions. Second, it is to develop and change the community by restraining these conditions. The main duty of institutions in almost every community is to sustain the existence and maintenance by regulating the relations. While determining the educational objectives, it is crucial to pay attention to individual and socio-cultural aspects and to take social efficiency criteria into consideration. The coordination of all actions having already been proceeded or to have proceeded are imperative for development.
How Does Education Contribute To Community Development Essay
To actualize community development, it is necessary to organize shared educational activities in order to familiarize the society with working in groups. In this respect, the importance of educational institutions should not be disregarded. It does not seem to be possible to become successful for a community producing projects contributing to community development and change without knowing the relational and value system of the community and the groups. In cases where socio-cultural elements are neglected in development and change, failure will be inevitable. For instance, prior to initiating an action for development in a lazy and impassive social structure, it is somewhat essential to infuse the instinct of promise into the members of this society. As stated by Frank Tyger (1929-2011), development cannot be provided by self-satisfied people.
How Does Education Contribute To Community Development Essay
Development and change start with awakening the sense of capability. Undoubtedly, in this process, composing and infusing this sense and coordinating every detail will be the most important role of educational institutions. Community development is human development, as well. The pattern of human qualifications is attributed firmly to action plans and programs of developed and developing countries in the world. From a sociological perspective, it is assumed that there is a great relationship between educational policies and social expectations and ideals. If the idea that a community cannot improve its well-fare degree without raising its mental level is a sociological fact, in accordance with this fact, mental improvement should be directed from traditional and local ideas toward a modern fashion.
How Does Education Contribute To Community Development Essay
The only way to accomplish this fact is through education. As revealed by Paul Valery (1871-1945), today’s problem is that the future is not as it is before. This implies that it is crucial to establish an educational system that does not stay opposed to the spirit of today in order to have a voice in such a future that will never become as it is before. Otherwise, generations that never contribute to community development despite having a continuous education will be inevitably raised.
the role of education in community development
- It promotes equality
With the introduction of education, all the members of the community will have a sense of equality when it comes to development. The equal opportunities that come with it help in the elimination of the differences that normally exist in terms of social classes and different genders. In other words, it helps in women empowerment.’
- It makes members of the community get a sense of self-dependence and confidence
For anyone to be able to live without necessarily having to depend on others financially, they need a good education. Self-dependence definitely contributes to community development as it makes people wiser and they can also make their own decisions. A good education will make it easier for you to express your views and your opinions and improves your chances of being heard and taken seriously.
- It promotes peace and security
With a good education, members of the community are in a better position to understand the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of doing what is considered wrong, Because of that, they are less likely to get into crime or situations known to bring dispute. In addition to that, it helps people know more about their rights and responsibilities as well as the law in general.
- It spares you from exploitation
In a country that has rights and freedom for its citizens, there is a number who still want to infringe on their neighbor’s rights. Some want to fool others and the illiterate often fall victim to this. They may be duped into entering illegal businesses and signing false documents among others because they do not possess the right education to avoid it.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the most important contribution of education is not only to upgrade the living standards of citizens but also to enable them to become better citizens. In addition to being a human right, education today is a prerequisite for development and also an effective means for both taking knowledge-based decisions and improving democracy. Education improves and strengthens the developmental capacities of individuals, communities, groups, institutions, and countries.
However, as Roosevelt’s saying ‘trying to educate a person mentally without educating morally is to bring a menace into the society’ indicated, this is possible via educating people to become supporters of each other but not enemies at all. In this vein, education can create a safer, healthier, and more prosperous world and enhance living standards by changing the visions and perspectives of individuals.
REFERENCS
Webster, A. (1991). Sociology of Development, Macmillan Press, London.
Marshall, G.. (1994). Dictionary of Sociology. Oxford Press, Oxford.
Musgrave, P. W. (1983). The Sociology of Education, Methuen Press, New York, USA.
Daniel, B. (1974) The Coming of Post Industrial Society, Heinemann, London.
Mimar, T.(2012), The Role Of Education In The Societal Development, Antalya, TURKEY.