Examining the Functions and
Importance of Education in
the Society
LESSON: 8
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS
Importance of Education for children
[Link]
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Based on the video you have
watched, can you tell the
importance of education to the
children?
Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the student is able to:
• Define education;
• Differentiate formal, non-formal
education and informal education in
the Philippines;
• Explain the functions and importance of
education in the society.
Education
It is a social institution through which society
provides its members with important knowledge,
including basic facts, job skills and cultural norms
and values. (Macionis 2012)
Education is the acquisition of knowledge, habits,
skills, and abilities through instruction and training
or through self-activity.
Education
It is the process of transmitting to the
young, the vital cultural heritage of the
group.
It is the systematic training of the moral
and intellectual faculties of the mind.
Education in the Philippines
Education in the Philippines is managed
and regulated by the Department of
Education commonly referred to as
DepEd.
TYPES OF EDUCATION
Types of Education
Formal Education: This refers to the hierarchically
structured, chronologically graded educational system from
primary school to the university. At the end of each level, the
learners must obtain certification in order to enter or advance
to the next level. Formal education shall correspond to the
following levels in basic education
A. Elementary Education – 6 grades and preschool
B. Secondary - 4 years Junior HS and 2 years Senior HS
C. Tertiary – classified as either public or private colleges and
universities regulated by CHED.
Types of Education
Non-Formal Education: It refers to any organized
educational activity outside the established formal
system to provide selected types of learning to a
segment of the population. Non-formal education
enables a student to learn skills and knowledge
through structured learning experiences.
Example: Vocational education
Programs offered vary in duration from a few
weeks to two years.
Non-Formal Education emerged in response to the
world crisis in education. The formal education
system have failed to address the changing
dynamics of the environment and the societies as
argued by Philip H. Coombs in 1967.
The skills that are needed to foster economic
development are lacking due to untrained labor
force that is not able to access formal
education.
Types of Education
Informal Education: It is a lifelong process of
learning by which every person acquires from daily
experiences, attitudes, values, facts, skills,
knowledge or motor skill from resources in his or her
higher environment. The learner’s involvement in
activities do not have a learning purpose in mind
because it is involuntary and incidental, and it is
an inescapable part of daily life and it is not
graded/assessed. e.g. Zumba/fitness class, sports,
educational videos, self-study, social media
interaction, YouTube etc.)
The Importance and Functions of Education
Knowledge Acquisition
Skills Development
Values Formation
Socialization
Life Preparation
Knowledge Acquisition - education institutions lay
down the foundations for structured learning and
providing students with a range of learning tools,
materials, and interactive learning experience.
Skills Development - education institutions bring out
from the students their hidden potentials, skills, and
talents that are developed through sport and training,
and participation in co-curricular and extracurricular
activities.
Values Formation - education institutions mold the
character of students by indulging in them the values
integrated in the courses or subjects that they take up,
as well as the core values that the school promotes
through discipline and habit.
Socialization - education institutions offer a new
environment, a second home, a second family with
peer groups, a second parent with teachers. The
student learns to establish rapport, relations, and
attains status recognition.
Life Preparation - education institutions prepare the
student for a life of independence, self- reliance, and
competence for an occupation or a job. Students
learn about task responsibilities and hardship in the
pursuit of goals.
Education systems enable citizens to be
productive members of a society, as they
are equipped with knowledge and skills
that could contribute to the development
of their society’s systems and institutions.
Educational attainment does not only
contribute to the individual’s success but
also to the betterment of his or her
environment.
Two-fold function of education
(Sociological Perspective)
1. Manifest function of education
2. Latent function of education
Manifest function of Education
Manifest functions are intended purposes of the school.
These functions include socialization, cultural transmission,
career selection, and rational thinking.
Emile Durkheim described schools as agents of
socialization that prepare children for their future
economic roles.
Children are taught not just economic subjects like
Mathematics and Science, but also how to fall in line, wait
for their turn, and share what they have. It also aids in
transmitting culture, skills, and values.
Latent function of education
Refers to the unintended functions that are brought
about by the school environment and can be found
through deep relationships students make.
Schools are venues for expanding people’s networks.
They are where you can possibly find a spouse, a
business partner, or friends whom you can keep for
life.
Identify the following image if Manifest
or Latent Function of Education
Activity: Make a short film/video clip (3 mins-5
mins) about the function and importance of
education (Performance Task)
The film should show the functions and
importance of education. Take note of
the manifest (consciously and deliberately
intended to produce beneficial
outcomes) and latent functions (neither
conscious nor deliberate but unintended).