Individual aims of education with examples
Answers
Narrow meaning of Individual aim:
In its narrow sense, individual aim is known as self-expression, all round development of the child and natural development also. It is based on the philosophy of ‘naturalism’ according to which education should develop individuality of a child in accordance with his instincts. It was Rousseau who first of all advocated this aim through his insistence on education in the lap of nature according to the nature of the child, but his successor some other educationists also emphasized the importance of this aim.
Wider meaning of Individual Aim:
In its wider sense individual aim is known as self-realization. Psychology corroborates the wider aspect of the development of individuality because psychological research has clearly established the fact that each individual is born with his own peculiar and distinct innate tendencies and capabilities. Hence, it is prime function of education to develop each individual fully and completely according to his or her interests, inclinations, aptitudes and capacities in such a way that he or she becomes an able and capable person’ In this words, education of the individual should be planned with a view to individual good as well as the good of the society of which he is an integral part. Early Childhood Education Program has also reinforced this argument by saying- “Education help the child to make his original contribution to the variegated whole of human life as full and as truly characteristic as his nature permits.”
Arguments in Favour of Individual Aim
The following arguments by Preschool Teacher Training are generally advanced in favour of Individual aim of education:
Support by psychologists:
Each child has distinct instincts and inherent tendencies. If he is not allowed to behave according to his nature and contrary to this, social ideals together with social forms of behaviour are forced upon him, he will become a mental patient. In other words, Great tension, stains and mental conflicts will develop in him, with the result that he will become a diseased sick and maladjusted individual. This is quite Unpsychological. Now psychological researches have establish the fact that interests, inclinations, aptitudes, capacities and needs of each child are distinct from the other.
Support by Scientists:
Biological science asserts that each child has an individuality of his own. His innate nature cannot be changed by any means. As each child is a distinct entity, a new organisation and a new experiment of life, the aim of education can be nothing else but to develop his unique individuality naturally and distinctly. History places on record the fact that as and when natural development of individuality has been suppressed, evil consequence have occurred. The first and second world wars and their evil consequences are the glaring example of such a repressionistic philosophy.
Support by progressivists:
For his own good, the individual creates society to preserve, purify and transmit its culture to the rising generation so that social progress goes on continually. This clarifies the issue that the development of individuals will naturally lead to the development of society. Hence, the aim of education should be the autonomous development of individuality.
Support by educationist:
Eminent educationists like Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Froebel, Nun and many other support the individual aim of education.