Etymological Meaning of Education

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

 

Today in the modern complex world every individual is faced with serious social, economic & political problems. These problems need systematic, intelligent and Practical solutions. Problem solving requires the accumulation of new knowledge or experience. This knowledge is only possible with the help of education. To understand an abstract concept like education, one is required to explicate its meaning, nature, scope and functions .But there is another sense also in which people see education as an instrument by application of which certain individual or social changes are brought about. 

Education is the most important and powerful instrument invented by mankind to shape and mould himself in a desirable manner. Any modification brought about in the behaviour of an individual, as a result of his interaction with the environment, constitutes learning. The history of the world proves that education has been the root cause for any changes which takes place in the social, cultural, spiritual, political and economic aspects of human life.

It is education which not only transforms the human animal into rational human being but also prepares and develops him to survive and adjust with surroundings so as to lead his personal as well as social life successfully. Therefore we may say that education is anything which the individual acquired through formal or non-formal organisations in the form of certificate or training by which his personality is prepared and developed to undertake any sort of task and adjust himself with varying environments in order to fulfill his basic necessities and objectives of life.

We talk of educating children, teaching or instructing them; socializing or developing or converting them into good citizens or good human beings. In all these expressions definitely something that we call education is involved. But what exactly is that, a process or a product is not very clear.

 

·         If it is a process, how does it occur or what are its conditions?

·         And if it is a product, what does it look like? How can one define that product?

There are such and many more questions, which occur to us when we talk of understanding education.

Meaning of Education:

Education means the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, intelligence, conscience, wisdom etc. Common people think it is the process which takes place in schools and colleges and the person who has acquired certificate from these institutions can only be termed as educated. But in real sense, it is not limited only to schooling. There is no limit of time, place and age for the acquisition of education. People can acquire education everywhere, in every moment of their life without the bound of age. They can get education from every source such as schools, parents, society, colleagues, mass media etc.

Education is a lifelong, continuous and multiple process the aim of which aim is all round development of the child. All round development means physical development, intellectual development, emotional development, cultural development, spiritual development, vocational development, aesthetic development, moral development, language development, social development, religious development, recreational development. We will discuss broadly about this definition of education later. Now we have to discuss an etymological meaning of the term 'EDUCATION.

 Etymological meaning of education:

Latin: Educare          (To bring up, to raise, to nourish to educate)

The term education has been derived from the Latin word 'educare'. The term 'educare' means 'to bring up', 'to rise', and 'to nourish'. The child has to bring up like a plant in the garden by the teacher. His potentialities should be developed with proper care and nourishment.

Latin: Educcere         (To lead out, to draw out)

The term education has been derived from the Latin word 'educere'. The term 'educere' means 'to lead out', 'to draw out' and 'to bring from'. Each and every child has the innate powers. The innate powers of the child should be properly cared, given scope to develop. It should be located and proper education to be developed.

Latin: Educatum                   (To train, act of teaching)

The term education has been derived from the Latin word 'educatum'. The term ‘educatum’ means 'act of teaching' or 'training'. Education is something which is imposed from outside. It is external growth through activities and experience. The teacher, through education provides instructions and gives direction to mould his abilities.

Latin: E+duco                       (movement from inward to outward)

The term education has been derived from the Latin word 'E+duco. The term 'E' means 'out of' and 'duco' means 'to lead. The child has inherited potentialities. It is inborn. It should be developed, but how and by whom? It is possible through education and by the active co-operation of the teacher.

Sanskrit: Shas                        (Disciplined)

The term education has been derived from the Sanskrit word Shas. The term “Shas” means “Disciplined”. The child should receive education in a disciplined manner because education need to be systematic and disciplined in order to achieve the objectives of education.

Sanskrit: Shikh                      (to know) 

Knowledge and experience is required to cope up with any situations. So education helps individual to keep balance with every situation of life by combining knowledge with experiences.

Sanskrit: Vid                         (to study)

Education in this sense means the amount of knowledge and what type of knowledge the student can gain and remember. Only bookish knowledge is not enough. That individual can get success who can apply this knowledge in everyday life situations.

Greek: Pedagogy                   (to develop)

The term education has been derived from the Greek word ‘Pedagogy’. The term  Pedagogy is a combination of  ‘Paides+ a-gein’, “paides” means Boy and “a-gein: means to lead the boy.