Is Education Necessary for Social Change?

Social change is defined as is the way human interaction and relationships modify cultural and social institutions leaving a profound effect on society as a whole. Sociologists explain the social change to have a significant effect on societal values, culture, and norms thus changing these institutions for the better. This change occurs slowly with time and has long term consequences on society.

The major examples of social change are civil and women's rights movements, bringing a drastic change in the relationships between the institutions and social values and norms.

Role of Education in Social Change:

Education plays a crucial role to bring social revolution and among all the instruments for change education is known as the most valuable one. Education for all, at all levels, and all ages of children is the only way to bring about the desired social change. Education is believed to be one of the most authentic and powerful means of socialization.

When does social change occur?

Social Change occurs when:

●   When the general masses want change

●   When the current social system fails to meet the present needs of society

●   When the market has more innovative ideas to meet the needs of society and human needs.

Social change takes place as a response to many types of changes that take place in the social and non-social environment. Education promotes social change by bringing about change in the viewpoints and attitudes of man.

Education as a Necessary Condition of Social Change:-

Historical evidence of modern countries has shown that to bring about social change, education is the prerequisite. Countries with a low education ratio remain content with their existing state and feel quite comfortable with the idea that they are destined to be where they are.

Old Vs New Educational Institutions:

There was a time when the educational institutions and teachers were there to promote and transmit values and norms to the students. But at that time the educational institutions were present for societal control rather than for social change. On the contrary, modern institutions are more inclined towards promoting social change through education rather than sticking to a static society that does not accept rapid social changes. They also have to teach students how to effectively study at home and also be productive.

Education as a Social Change Agent?

Education can also play a vital role in bringing social change in society and the role of education as being a social change agent is globally recognized. Social Change is driven by the social masses when they are willing to bring about change. The need for such change is triggered by the failure of the existing social system when the system is unable to meet the needs of the social masses.

Education can empower an individual but an individual solely cannot bring about change as it can only be done through the collective transformation of the general masses. Education enables the people to actively participate in the progressive development of society to play a positive contribution part.

Education paved a way for Problem-solving which plays a key role in managing social change. It is a social agent that changes the traditional approach towards varied socio-economic problems. It polishes the skills of the individuals so they can contribute to gain maximum positive outcome in terms of social transformation and change. It not only preserves the societal norms, values, and traditions but also tickles it down to the next generation. Moreover, it persuades the individuals to look up for new innovative ideas and follow a futuristic and dynamic approach towards social change, thus playing a novel role in promoting such change.

Conclusion:

Education is playing a major role in initiating social change as it aims to transmit factual knowledge. Traditional education was meant to convey the traditional norms, values, and ideas and was mainly associated with religious backgrounds. However, it has become more secular now leaving any such influence behind and making it an independent institution. According to a renowned writer, Francis J. Brown ‘Education is a process which brings about change in the behavior of the society’. Thus it enables the masses to actively participate in developmental activities to bring about a positive social change in society.