Education As Instrument Of Social Change

Education as an instrument of social change: One of the most formidable and potent tool of social change is Education. The society can bring about pertinent and much sought after desirable changes through education and modernize itself. By creating the right kind of ambience and by providing ample opportunities and experiences, education can enable an individual to cultivate and groom himself for adjustment with the emerging needs and philosophy of the changing society and aid in the can transformation of society as a whole. A sound social progress needs careful and meticulous planning bearing in mind every dimension of life, be it political, economic, social and cultural. Education must be tailored to suit the needs

This is basic to every programme of social and economic betterment of which India stands in need. The functions of education in the sphere of social change are outlined as under :

Assistance in changing attitudes: Education drives the people to embrace those attitudes which are in tune with the modern ways of life along with making them foster attitudes which can fight traditional beliefs, superstitions and prejudices,. It can bring about a change in attitudes of people in favour of small family towards rising above orthodox values and socio-cultural barriers of caste and class and towards religion and secularism. Education interacts with the process of social development which is another name of social change. It can thrust upon the people an outlook which will really enable them to shed their orthodox values, socio-cultural obstacles of Caste and class and parochial notions related to religion and secularism. It can bring about their perceptions regarding the imperativeness of small family. Education heralds in the process of social development which is synonymous with social

It brings to lime light the persisting social evils like drinking, dowry, gambling, begging, bonded labour etc. and makes the people aware and creates in them an urge to fight and uproot such pernicious social evils. Education makes under-privileged, down-trodden and backward people aware of their deprived lot and instils a strong and persisting desire in them to ameliorate their conditions and make better their living standards. Thus education creates an abiding passion for change.

Assistance in adopting social change: Whenever some social change occurs, while some people adopt it and get easily acclimatized to it, others find it to be a herculean task to adjust themselves to this change. It is the function of education to make the people to be ever ready to welcome, accept and adopt good changes for the well-being of the humankind.

Overcoming resistance to change: Certain factors along with the conservative nature of the people make them to be intolerant towards change and resist it. Education must help the people overcome such resistance.

Analysis in change: Education apart from sharpening the intellect of the people, invests the individuals with the capacity to use their intelligence, to discern right from wrong and to establish certain ideals. Education determines the values which act as a criterion