Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through
which the aims and habits of a group of people sustain from one
generation to the next.[1]
Generally, it occurs through any experience
that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts.
School children line, in Kerala, India
Systems of schooling involve institutionalized teaching and learning
in relation to a curriculum, which itself is established according to a
predetermined purpose of the schools in the system.
In formal education, a curriculum
is the set of courses and their content offered at a school or university.
As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word
for race course, referring to the course
of deeds and experiences through which children
grow to become mature adults. A curriculum is prescriptive, and is based on a
more general syllabus which merely specifies what topics must be
understood and to what level to achieve a particular grade or standard.
An academic discipline is a branch of knowledge which is formally taught, either at the university–or via some other such method. Each discipline usually has several sub-disciplines or branches, and distinguishing lines are often both arbitrary and ambiguous. Examples of broad areas of academic disciplines include the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, social sciences, humanities and applied sciences.[5]
Educational institutions may incorporate fine arts as part of K-12 grade curriculums or within majors at colleges and universities as electives. The various types of fine arts are music, dance, and theater.[6]
Preschool education is important because it can give a child the edge in a competitive world and education climate.[citation needed] While children who do not receive the fundamentals during their preschool years will be taught the alphabet, counting, shapes and colors and designs when they begin their formal education they will be behind the children who already possess that knowledge. The true purpose behind kindergarten is “to provide a child-centered, preschool curriculum for three to seven year old children that aimed at unfolding the child’s physical, intellectual, and moral nature with balanced emphasis on each of them.” [7]
Primary school in open air. Teacher (priest) with class from the
outskirts of Bucharest, around 1842.
Primary (or elementary) education consists of the first 5–7 years of
formal, structured education. In general, primary education consists of
six or eight years of schooling starting at the age of five or six,
although this varies between, and sometimes within, countries. Globally,
around 89% of primary-age children are enrolled in primary education,
and this proportion is rising.[8]
Under the Education For All programs driven by UNESCO,
most countries have committed to achieving universal enrollment in
primary education by 2015, and in many countries, it is compulsory for
children to receive primary education. The division between primary and secondary education is somewhat
arbitrary, but it generally occurs at about eleven or twelve years of
age. Some education systems have separate middle
schools, with the transition to the final stage of secondary
education taking place at around the age of fourteen. Schools that
provide primary education, are mostly referred to as primary schools.
Primary schools in these countries are often subdivided into infant
schools and junior school.
In India,school education spans over twelve years, out of which children receive elementary education for 8 years. Elementary schooling consists of five years of primary schooling and 3 years of upper primary schooling. Various states in the republic of India provide 12 years of compulsory school education based on national curriculum framework designed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training.
Etymology
Etymologically, the word "education" is derived from the Latin ēducātiō (“A breeding, a bringing up, a rearing") from ēdūcō (“I educate, I train”) which is related to the homonym ēdūcō (“I lead forth, I take out; I raise up, I erect”) from ē- (“from, out of”) and dūcō (“I lead, I conduct”).[2][edit] Political legislation
A right to education has been created and recognized by some jurisdictions: Since 1952, Article 2 of the first Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights obliges all signatory parties to guarantee the right to education. At the global level, the United Nations' International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 guarantees this right under its Article 13.[edit] Systems of schooling
[edit] Purpose of schools
Main article: Education theory#Normative theories of
education
Individuals purposes for pursuing education can vary greatly. However
in early age the focus is generally around developing basic Interpersonal communication and literacy
skills in order to further ability to learn more complex skills and
subjects. After acquiring these basic abilities education is commonly
focused towards individuals gaining necessary knowledge and skills to
improve ability to create value and a livelihood
for themselves.[3]
Satisfying personal curiosities (Education for the sake of itself) and
desire for Personal development, to "better
oneself" without career based reasons for doing so are also common
reasons why people pursue education and use schools.[4][edit] Curriculum
An academic discipline is a branch of knowledge which is formally taught, either at the university–or via some other such method. Each discipline usually has several sub-disciplines or branches, and distinguishing lines are often both arbitrary and ambiguous. Examples of broad areas of academic disciplines include the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, social sciences, humanities and applied sciences.[5]
Educational institutions may incorporate fine arts as part of K-12 grade curriculums or within majors at colleges and universities as electives. The various types of fine arts are music, dance, and theater.[6]
[edit] Preschools
Main article: Preschool education
The term preschool refers to a school for children who are not old
enough to attend kindergarten. It is a nursery school.Preschool education is important because it can give a child the edge in a competitive world and education climate.[citation needed] While children who do not receive the fundamentals during their preschool years will be taught the alphabet, counting, shapes and colors and designs when they begin their formal education they will be behind the children who already possess that knowledge. The true purpose behind kindergarten is “to provide a child-centered, preschool curriculum for three to seven year old children that aimed at unfolding the child’s physical, intellectual, and moral nature with balanced emphasis on each of them.” [7]
[edit] Primary schools
Main article: Primary education
In India,school education spans over twelve years, out of which children receive elementary education for 8 years. Elementary schooling consists of five years of primary schooling and 3 years of upper primary schooling. Various states in the republic of India provide 12 years of compulsory school education based on national curriculum framework designed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training.
