Chapter 15

Education

Education

is defined as a preparation for effective participation in social relations

How do sociologists view education?

Sociologically speaking, education is the consciously controlled process whereby changes in behavior are produced in the person and through the person in the group. Its ultimate goal is the effective participation of the individual in social relations.

Educational structures

Education may be formal or informal. A. Informal Education

Consists of learning through interaction with others in the group.

Ideas and facts are acquired through suggestion, observation, example, imitation, and inculcation from the family, play group, neighborhood, or occupational group.

Books, newspapers, magazines, radio, movies, and television are important instruments through which information and attitudes are acquired or learned.

B. Formal Education

Synonymous with school Sets definite objectives and goals

reached through systematized, formal instruction and methods

It is divided into the pre-school level, the elementary level, the secondary level, and the tertiary or university level

Schools may be run by the state, by private individuals or corporations, or by religious groups

C. Non-formal Education

Consists of sets of definite learning goals and objectives, generally making use of a more flexible curriculum, less rigid admission procedures, and more participative teaching methods.

It is not covered by traditional school system

Runs in short durations and seeks only to teach the student a special skill

Mass Media

A very powerful instrument of education Covers television, radio, newspaper, and

other information industries whose workings affect our very lives, changing our lifestyles and outlook

Access and Equity

By sector, government and private, the delivery of basic education is clearly a massive government effort with 95 percent of the elementary schools and 62 percent of the secondary schools in the country being run by the government. 

Of the 65 children who reach Grade VI, 54 get to be high school freshmen, but only 41 reach fourth year high school. Only 11 get to pursue a college education.

The problem of inequities and disparities in access to basic education is less a reflection of the child’s inability to cope with the demands of schooling than of the government’s inability to commit its fullest resources to education.

Education in Early Societies

Education in simple societies is given by the family, assisted by some elder members of the community who are called specialists, namely magicians, witchdoctors, shamans or priests

The widespread establishment of the school system was made possible with the invention of the printing press in the mid-15th century. The printing press became an instrument in the mass production of reading materials which were then prepared for different stages of education

The Functions of Education

The functions of education are:

1. To transmit the culture heritage; The transmission of the culture heritage

remains the traditional function of education. Culture heritage includes the knowledge, language, mathematics, and science, subjects which are familiar to most students. It also includes the attitudes, values, and norms of the society.

Imitation - there is a minimum of verbal instruction

- imitative learning has become a pleasant and effective process

Inculcation - refers to the process whereby the learner is led to change his or her behavior through social pressure, propaganda, or other media of instruction

2. To help individuals select social roles and to train them for the roles they have chosen;

Education is also aimed at developing

new social patterns that will bring about different specialties. This means that the school provides not only new experiences for individual but also offers them alternatives and a wider selection of social roles.

3. To integrate into the cultural mainstream the various subcultures and identities;

Emphasis on this educational function calls for the teaching of a common language which makes for free and extensive communication.

4. To serve as a source of social and cultural innovation

Schools function as such when activities are geared towards the development of curiosity and initiative, with students learning to conduct their own investigations, arrive at conclusions, and make new discoveries.

 

Education in the Philippines

What were the features of education during the Spanish regime?

The objective of education under Spain was to teach moral and religious subjects through the medium of the Spanish language

Religion was the core of the curriculum and the schools were used mainly to spread Christianity

Pupils were required to go to church

Higher education at that time placed great emphasis on rearing the youth in virtue and letters

Higher education primarily served the upper classes, a degree being a status symbol, a “badge of social standing and prestige”

The Educational Decree of 1863 provided for the establishment of a complete system of education

What were the features of education during the American regime?

The emphasis on the spread of Christianity and the transmission of the Spanish culture shifted towards the development of new social patterns that would prepare the nation for a self-governing democracy

English was used as the medium of communication The Educational Act of 1901 organized the general

system of public instruction and also authorized the establishment of private schools.

The Philippine system is a bureaucratic structure under the supervision of the state. There are three coordinate branches: the Bureau of Elementary Education, the Bureau of Secondary Education and the Bureau of Higher Education

EDCOM Recommendations

The Joint Congressional Commission to Study and Review Philippine Education, or EDCOM, was created in 1991 with the mandate to carry out its task within 12 months

The EDCOM recommended more efficiency and more productivity from both our education budget and our education establishment

Elementary Education

In the 1980’s, the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) embarked on a massive program to improve the quality of education in the elementary level. The Program for Decentralized Educational Development, or PRODED, is a DECS program assisted with a $100 M loan from the World Bank.

Vocational and Technical Education

In recent years, technical and vocational education in the Philippines has gained momentum. The educational system of the country must continue to turn up graduates in these courses if it is to meet the demands of the job market, both local and overseas, and thus help in the government policy of attracting foreign investments.

Trends in Education The Department of Education,

Culture and Sports (DECS) has initiated a number of innovations as has been previously mentioned, like the in-school off-school approach, the opening of pre-school classes in poblacions in rural areas; and a year-round school calendar. It has geared education to national development and is trying to upgrade the quality of education.

Bilingualism aims to develop competence in the use of both English and Filipino.

In 1972, on the onset of martial law, reforms in education were keyed towards national development goals.

The EDSA revolution of 1986 gave Philippine education a new impetus towards broadening its curriculum, especially in the areas of values and peace education.

Of the different values promoted and inculcated by the Philippine educational system, peace is worthy a special mention

Aside from peace education, the concept education for all is another theme of a global effort.

The Philippine delegation to that conference has come out with a framework for a Philippine Plan of Action for the period 1990-2000, and in this plan, they recognize the need for Philippine education to give stress to scientific literacy.

End :)