Education 1
Module Code: HEEDX1A
Learning Unit 3:
The relationship between education
and society
CLASS: B ED
PRESENTER: S HAVENGA
TBA
www.vut.ac.za
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The relationship between education and society
Introduction
Society is defined as a group of individual people living together in a more or less
ordered community, or an organisation or club formed for a particular purpose or activity.
Education and society are interrelated or interdependent because both mutually
influence each other.
Education is a sub-system of society. It helps individuals to learn how to live, how to
behave, how to organise everything in their lives, etc. so it is an agent which brings
change in society.
Education helps people become better citizens, get a better-paid job, shows the
difference between good and bad. Education shows us the importance of hard work and,
at the same time, helps us grow and develop. Thus, we are able to shape a better society
to live in by knowing and respecting rights, laws, and regulations.
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The influence of society on education:
Society influences political conditions. A political leader comes from
a society, where they always followed set ideals like democracy and
equality and also has some political ideas such as responsibilities,
accountability, unity, integration of human being with values ideals
etc.
And with those ideals he/she governs a particular area or province
and as we know education is related to government. Being a part of
it, an individual affects the education system.
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The relationship between education and society
The influence of society on education:
Education, especially the teaching of history, provides a link between the individual
and society. If the history of his/her society is brought alive to a child, they come to
see that they are a part of something larger than themselves. Thus, they will
develop a sense of commitment to the social group. School prepares young people
to be adults and socialises them into the basic values of society. These values have
important functions in society as a whole.
Social norms are standards, rules, guides and expectations for actual behaviour,
whereas values are abstract conceptions of what is important and worthwhile.
For example, honesty is a general value; the expectation that students will not cheat
or use such material forbidden by the codes in the examinations is a norm.
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What are examples of norms and values?
Covering your mouth and nose when sneezing, shaking
hands when you meet someone, saying 'sorry' when you
bump into someone, not talking with your mouth full, etc.
are some examples of norms whereas honesty, integrity,
courage, kindness, fairness, and generosity are examples of
values.
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Supplementary reading (Literature)
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THANK YOU
An d r i es Po t g ie ter Bl v d . Va n d e rbij lpar k, 1 9 0 0 , So u t h Af r i c a | T 0 9 8 0 0 8 8 9 0 0
| E e n q uir ies@vu t.ac. za
www.vut.ac.za
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