1.

A stable and democratic society is impossible without widespread acceptance

of some common set of values and without a minimum degree of literacy and
knowledge on the part of most citizens. Education contributes to both. In
consequence, the gain from the education of a child accrues not only to the
child or to his parents but to other members of the society; the education of
my child contributes to other people’s welfare by promoting a stable and
democratic society. Education is today largely paid for and almost entirely
administered by governmental bodies or non-profit institutions. This situation
has developed gradually and is now taken so much for granted that little
explicit attention is any longer directed to the reasons for the special
treatment of education even in countries that are predominantly free
enterprise in organization and philosophy. The result has been an
indiscriminate extension of governmental responsibility. Explain this
statement “Education in this country is a state function”.

Answer:
The institution of state came into being when people organized themselves to
live a disciplined life. The purpose was to hand over some of the important
functions of society to a mega organization or association which would be
invested with the powers to streamline the functions of various splinter social
groups for the benefit of society at large. With the passage of time, state has
come to be defined in clear cut terms and its functions have come too stated
in a comprehensive manner. The institution of State has come to be defined
by experts. According to Garner, “State is a community of persons, more or
less numerous, permanently occupying a definite portion of a territory,
independent and so of a foreign control and possessing an organized
government to which the inhabitants render a habitual obedience.”Kandel
defines State “as an organized political community with government
recognized by people.”

In other words, a very well-organized society assumes the shape of a State.

Territory, people, government and sovereignty are the essential elements of a
State. A State exists for the sake of good life. Education is one of the most
important functions of a welfare State. In olden times, it was not so. With the
coming in of democracy, this idea gained strength that education of all
citizens must become the primary responsibility of the State. This does not
mean that state will usurp the right of the family. Raymont has rightly said:
“The function of the state is to protect and promote, not to absorb or take the
place of family and the individual. In the sphere of education, it is the state’s
right, and even duty to protect the interior right of the family and the church.
… The national state can rightfully demand and ensure that the citizens have
a proper knowledge of their civil and national duties and attain a certain
standard of intellectual and moral culture.”