AN INSIGHT INTO THE ROLE OF EDUCATION FOR SOCIAL CHANGE AND MODERNISATION

Abstract

Change is the law of life, and changes in society are always taking place. Changes may be slow, so slow that people may not even perceive them; there are times when they are so rapid and drastic. In all spheres of life things are changing in the economic sphere, in the political fields, in the sphere of education and so on. Social changes to a great extent are brought about through the process of education.

Modernization is the most overwhelming feature of the contemporary human society. It is a process of change in social, economic, educational and political systems drawn especially from the societies of Western Europe. It may be described as ‘social change involving the elements of science and technology and their far-reaching effects on social values, social behaviour and practices’.

It involves change based on rationality. It has varied facets and dimensions which cannot be encompassed in a few words. But here our purpose and understanding the process of modernization can be attributed to increasing levels of schooling and literacy, the development of mass media, increasing social and geographical mobility, the development of a very high level of technology, systems of transportation and communication, more and more urbanization, change from agricultural occupations, growth in per capita income, increasing division of labour and specialized roles, declining extended family and so on.