Table of Contents

1. Need for Socialization ..................................................................................................................... 1

2. Education and Culture .................................................................................................................... 1
3. Importance of Education ................................................................................................................ 2
3.1. Adaptation to the natural environment ................................................................................. 2
3.2. Adaptation to the social environment .................................................................................... 2
3.3. Development of personality ................................................................................................... 2
3.4. Socialization ............................................................................................................................ 3
3.5. Social Development ................................................................................................................ 3
4. Impact of Culture on Educational Institutions ................................................................................ 3
4.1. Curriculum............................................................................................................................... 3
4.2. Way of Teaching...................................................................................................................... 3
4.3. Discipline ................................................................................................................................. 4
5. Influence of Technology on Learning .............................................................................................. 4
6. Problems in our Education System ................................................................................................. 5
6.1. Lack of Uniformity ................................................................................................................... 5
6.2. Lack of Direction ..................................................................................................................... 5
6.3. Lack of Training for Teachers .................................................................................................. 6
7. Suggestions ..................................................................................................................................... 6
8. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 7
9. References ...................................................................................................................................... 8
1. Need for Socialization
Humans are social animals; we have always been in desperate need of socialization to survive
our spans of life. Socialization not only enables us to develop a pattern of living as a whole
but also is the reason of the evolution of mankind. Setting up social values and defining
cultures is what human have been doing since the beginning of life. Culture in simple words
is a system of norms and standards that a society develops over a course of many generations
and which profoundly influences the everyday behavior of people in the society. It is that
complete whole that includes the customs, beliefs, laws, traditions, knowledge, morals etc.
acquired by humans as member of society. Socialization is what allows individuals in a
community to develop similar values, norms, and beliefs and all together a pattern of living
(O’Neil, 2009).

Humans have different mindsets that are very unique in their own way. Each individual living
in the society has his own view depending upon the social, religious and natural environment
of his existence. Individual view point differs even in the most homogeneous cultures. This
comes in handy when a group of diverse mindsets if formed or when a cultural diversity takes
place. No matter the level of knowledge people in that specific group have, when interaction
takes place everyone gets a peace of it. “It's not about how rich you are or how much you are
educated..... It's about how much humanity, values and morals you carry with you. It’s about
what you carry with your soul and how many have you helped. It’s about having a qualitative
life", A.D. Williams.

2. Education and Culture

Education is a technique while culture is a value. Education will lead towards a more
creative, enhanced, perpetuated values i.e. culture. We cannot consider vocation part of
education to achieve culture. Vocation is the utilitarian pursuit of education. This is
considered as a material socialization. The thing that matters more is the non-material aspects
of the socialization. Right education should maintain a balance between the material and non-
material aspects of the socialization. Our educational system includes cultural values and
thereby plays an important role in shaping other social, economic, and political institutions,
but simultaneously it is shaped by them. The current state of education is a case in point. All
agree that school systems could and should do a better job. The question is: how? Some argue
that the answer is to spend more—for instance, to improve teachers’ pay and to provide
schools with the latest technological equipment. But the main thing is that cultural mindsets
and the way people socialize in an environment have a great impact on educational institutes
and the learning of students. Teachers and students have different attitudes, ideas and
viewpoints and all are individual views. In the process of socialization (education in this
case), all views are brought into contact with each other and this leads to a new, more or less
successfully integrated synthesis or a form of collectivism (even if its limited to the room
only). The interaction of economics, politics, and social institutions can be illustrated in the
setting of teaching standards. The concepts of setting standards, certifying competence, and
mandating the teaching of certain basic subjects are admirable, but all are liable to abuse.
Teachers are divided in their view on certification. Teachers who have been teaching for

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years feel it is unfair for their competency suddenly to be questioned and tested. New
teachers feel that their own recent education qualify them in the latest methods and believe
that if the older teachers had nothing to fear, they would not protest competency tests.

3. Importance of Education
Education as a part of socialization has the twin functions of conservation and modification
or renewal of the social norms. Education is conceived as a systematic effort to maintain the
culture of the society. In its technical sense education is the process by which society,
through schools, colleges, universities and other institutions, deliberately transmit its cultural
heritage, its accumulated knowledge, values and skills from one generation to another.
Education is an instrument of change; it can impart knowledge, training and skills as well as
inculcate new ideas and attitudes among the young. It is the social system in which education
germinates and flowers. It is the people upon which education exerts, in turn, a nourishing
influence. The intimate relationship between society and education is evident from the fact
the one of the major aim of education is to impart to the child cultural heritage and social
heritage. Every individual is born into a particular society which provides him with definite
patterns of behavior and values which guide his/her conduct in different walks of life. To
understand the nature of its importance, it will be easy to understand how education of
various elements of culture can help a person and a society as a whole. It can be seen in the
following manner:

3.1. Adaptation to the natural environment

Everywhere man lives in a definite natural environment to which they adapt themselves.
Without adaptation he/she cannot survive. All the inventions and experiments that he/she
make in the process of this adaptation form an important part of the life. Differences in the
natural environment of different communities pave the way for differences in their way of
living.

3.2. Adaptation to the social environment

Culture includes customs, traditions, beliefs etc. All of these help the individual to adapt to
his social environment. It must be kept in mind that all these elements undergo gradual
changes as the social environment changes. Culture determines the patterns of social control,
through which the individual is subjected to remain attached to that group. Hence, the
advantage in communicating the mindset of the group to the child through education is that
he/she is thereby acquainted with the traditions, customs, values and patterns of conduct
prevailing in his group. This knowledge enables him to adapt to social environment and thus
achieve his socialization.

3.3. Development of personality

The personality of the individual is manifested through his pattern of behavior. The behavior
is always influenced by the culture of his/her group. Culture influences the physical, mental,
moral, social, aesthetic and emotional aspects of individual. Thus, the behavior of the
individual is greatly influenced by the culture.

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3.4. Socialization
One must mix up with others to learn the habits etc., of the society to which he belongs. In
other words to socialize oneself one must learn the traditions or the living patterns of the
society. Moral learning in school and college must be continuous with moral training outside
through field trips, community activities and the like. Society needs its young generation not
to be in ignorance. It wants its learning to be transmitted to the next generation. Thus, society
started schools to educate its members.

3.5. Social Development

Without improvement the society will stagnate. Education is not only to reflect the social
conditions of the groups of past and present but also to improve them for the future. With the
advancement of science and technology ways of life are also undergoing tremendous change.
If a specific group usually does not cope with the present advancement it results in 'cultural
lag'. So education in terms of socialization must adapt itself to the changing conditions. But
as always happens some new things are not very desirable. It is through education that
students can prepare themselves to evaluate the past and understand the present and to be
prepared for future. Human beings are continuously making mistakes and the purpose of
education is to learn from them. In short the students should be taught to get inspiration from
the inspiring past, to live in the dynamic present and to face the challenging future. The
intention of education should not be to teach him/ her bigger things rather it should make
him/her understand the best lesson called 'life', he/ she should finally help our country or the
world or say our planet to prosper. In short, education is obviously reflection of the social,
cultural and political conditions prevailing outside. It reflects the society but it has within it
the seeds of dynamics of change and thus enables societies to keep up with the fast changing
world.

4. Impact of Culture on Educational Institutions

The aims and ideals of the educational institutions are influenced by the values and patterns
of the society. The curriculum, methods of teaching, let it be the reading material all depends
upon the society and its needs. Few such needs are explained in brief:

4.1. Curriculum
The curriculums are prepared according to the needs of societies or the best social practices
in the most influencing ones. The system of education tries to realize the cultural needs of
society through curriculum which conditions all educational activities and programs. There is
a waste explosion of knowledge and so the curriculum is keep upgrading to cater the needs of
the society. Curriculum is contained in the textbooks. Textbooks are written according to the
formulated or determined curriculum. Only those textbooks are welcomed which foster and
promote cultural values and ideas, which are learned from past societies, evaluated for the
present and in lines with need of future.

4.2. Way of Teaching

Culture and methods of teaching are intimately connected. The changing cultural patterns of a
society exert its influence upon the methods of teaching. Previously teaching was teacher

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centered where teacher used to give knowledge to the students. Now it has become student
oriented. The teacher considers the needs, interests, aptitude, attitude, inclinations, behavior
etc. before teaching. In this way education is a method of preparing students for the future for
effective living. In short we can say that cultural and social conditions generate the methods
and techniques of teaching in a powerful manner. Different ways of teaching to make
teaching more realistic is the new trend in the field of teaching.

4.3. Discipline
Cultural values influence the concept of discipline. The present cultural patterns of thinking
and living are directly linked to our concept of discipline where the democratic values are
accepted all over the world. A school is a miniature of a society. The total activities and
programs of a school are organized according to the cultural ideals and values of the society
which establishes and organize the school. Hence, school is the center of promoting, molding,
reforming, and developing the cultural pattern of the society.

5. Influence of Technology on Learning

With the information explosion media has made tremendous impact on the minds of the
learning ones. Today, social and technological changes are taking place with a rapid pace
throughout the world. Both qualitative and quantitative improvement of education is
facilitated and accelerated with the help of media. There is no denying the fact that modern
education has changed the concept of teaching from teachers’ centered to learners’ centered.
Similarly, teacher centered lecture based instruction is changing to students centered
interactive learning. Teachers’, thus, has to perform the role of facilitator for the active
learning by the pupils. Learning happens and knowledge is generated in an environment
where interaction between teachers, students and the content takes place in interactive ways.

Knowledge is communicated to us through the communication. This fact is of great

importance because, when the information is communicated on a printed page or over the
telephone, by radio or television it appears different and has entirely a different effect on
minds. There is a famous proverb that I hear...I forget; I see... I remember; I do... I
understand. This means that if a teacher teaches without the help of supportive aids there is
much possibility that students will forget the things being taught to them where as the active
utilization of more than one sense increases the possibility of understanding among the
students and hence empowering them. In the classroom teaching-learning context media
improves the teaching-learning processes. Its main purpose is to benefit more students with
fewer teachers or to obtain quality education. Children are the conscious being. They do not
learn only from the books rather from the whole surroundings. Children today are more
exposed to media both print and non-print. They learn from media in more concrete way than
only through verbal communication in the class. Media and other forms of art aid in acquiring
knowledge in different manners. Media is available at finger tips. Students get motivated and
learn faster when more than one sense work. Internet has made our planet a very small place.
We can connect to any part of the world and exchange information. The entire world is at
doorsteps with one click of button. Media concretes the concept that we are learning. Media
continuously helps in keeping the thinking process. Radio for instance, was used mainly to
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broadcast events to far and wide places of the world. It acted as the medium of mass
communication for many decades. It was an important source of entertainment as well.
Students used to listen to various talks, discussions, and debates from radio which meant to
be extremely important and useful for them. Many programs were broadcasted over radio for
the purpose of teaching. Thus radio acted as a great recreational and educational force. These
days the use of radio has declined to a lot extend.

6. Problems in our Education System

However the existing system of education in Pakistan has not evolved from its own culture.
There is a need that education should be related to our own culture. It has been rightly said.
The existing system of education is largely based on the ideals of spreading western science
and literature and way of life among a small minority of the population and of training
persons for services under the government. It is still academic and book-centered and fails to
promote social, cultural, economic or political development on proper lines. A foreign system
of education was introduced in Pakistan without taking into account the cultural heritage of
the nation. It is cut off from our cultural traditions and is alien to masses. People around the
world are learning the hidden knowledge of our own country where as there is lag in our
curriculum, there should be more of connectivity with our land.

6.1. Lack of Uniformity

The system of education in Pakistan is not based on uniform principles. Different systems of
education are simultaneously working in the country. The curriculum is also not uniformed
which has given birth to different schools of thoughts. For example there is a world of
difference between the attitudes of students coming out from the public educational
institutions, Deeni Madaris and the few private elite institutions. This trend has accelerated
the pace of polarization in the society. This is the result of divisive Pakistani education
system, which has created a huge gap among the nation and even has deeply penetrated into
the cultural veins of the nation. The recent wave of terrorism and the increasing sectarian
division are the logical consequences of this divided system of education. As a result of this
current polarized system of education there has occurred a great social division in the society
on political, social and economic grounds rather than unity among the people which is cutting
knee deep the ideological and social foundation of the nation leading towards further
divisions on linguistic and regional grounds which is potentially damaging the social
cohesion of the society.

6.2. Lack of Direction

A sound education system is essential for every nation of the world. Every nation develops its
generation on the basis of vigorous training and education on social, political, economic and
ideological grounds. Pakistani education system due being directionless and weak has not
been able to develop and guide its people on sound political and social grounds. There is lack
of cohesion in the system and it is more prone towards general education which does not
bring any skilled manpower to the market. Resulting there is increasing unemployment. This
situation may promote sense of deprivation among the social system. Due to this there is
cultural and political unrest in the society. Besides, there is lack of educational opportunities
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for science and technology. In this way the development of thinking, reasoning and creativity
of students is not being polished.

6.3. Lack of Training for Teachers

Training is essential for quality performance. Teaching is a challenging job. There is lack of
training opportunities for teachers in Pakistan. Although there are various teacher training
institutes in the country. These institutes are either not well resourced or being poor run due
to lack of fund and trained human resource such trainers and administrators. There are no
proper training standards in the available training institutes around the country. Most of the
training institutes have been closed down due to lack of funds. The courses being run in the
teacher education intuitions are outdated and very traditional which does not enhance the
skills, motivation and quality of teachers.

7. Suggestions
There should be quality institutions for the professional development of teachers form
primary to higher levels. For this purpose the existing system of teacher education institutions
must be provided with funds qualified human resources to run programme of training for
teachers on periodical basis. The system of accountability must be strengthened and all the
professionals associated with the system of education should be educated to own their
responsibilities on individual and collective basis. This help in creating a sense of ownership
of the system and its functions. Curriculum should be evaluated on annual basis. In this
regard a vast survey could be conducted to seek opinions of teachers, parents and community
regarding their expectations and observations. In this light of this and the expert
recommendations of the educations researchers the curriculum goals should be redefined and
such curriculum should be prepared which caters to the psyche and needs of the society and
the country without any discrimination of cast, color and creed. There should be as less
political interference as possible. This will allow the system to function smoothly and without
any discrimination. Frequent political intervention creates gaps in the system which has led to
corruption and other evils. Polices should be implemented without any delay of time and
resources. There should be a strong political will on the part of the government to implement
polices without any delay. Poor policy implementation has led to creation of gaps and trust
deficit on the part of the public and government agencies. Examination system should be
made free form the mafia of unfair means, corruption and illegal gratifications. For this
purpose the system of supervision and inspection could be improved both physically and
theoretically. The government should enhance the salaries and the education professionals so
that their tendencies are not diverted towards evil means of getting favors and support. The
culture of research should be promoted within educational institutions. For this purpose the
pace of research oriented programs in teaching and learning should be accelerated in
educational institutions around the country especially at higher levels. Government should
increase the volume of funding to higher education commission for this purpose.

The development in science and technology has brought wide aspects and the knowledge
explosion has resulted in lot many changes. The need for changes in our system is because of
the culture change. Culture and education goes parallel hand in hand with each other. The
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cultural change these days have resulted in devastating and erosion of basic values. Our
Education system and the running schools and colleges must work on bringing changes in our
system by teaching the children the morals, values which makes our country Pakistan special.

8. Conclusion
Education plays a very important role in the transmission of culture from generation to
generation. Wherever or whenever there were humans group there were cultures, man-made
part of environments and learned patterns of behavior. People follow established customs
which limit and focus the range of their individual choice of dressing, eating, valuing,
believing etc. Education and culture cannot be separated or divorced for each other as they
are very much dependent on each other and one influence the other. Cultures are diffused and
transmitted to succeeding generations by education. Since human beings live in groups and
societies, it can be said that where ever they are socialization will stay, and so education is
both first and second meaning of the term. When it comes to schooling, it is narrow (third)
sense; it is limited to literate. Schooling helps in and emphasizes on transmission of a part of
socialization; through systematized knowledge.

Can we combine the progress of science and technology with the progress of the mind and
spirit also? We cannot be untrue to science because that represents the basic fact of life today.
Still less can we be untrue to those essential principles for which Pakistan has stood in the
past throughout the ages. Let us then pursue our path to industrial progress with all our
strength and vigor and at the same time, remember that material riches without toleration and
compassion and wisdom may well turn to dust and ashes. Education should transmit the best
cultural practices to the new generation and transform the outlook of the young towards life
in the light of the past; in the context of cross-cultural influences and in the light of the future
requirements of the individual and the society.

The purpose of education is twofold to transmit the cultural heritage and to improve the
society. (Unknown)

We all are kind of implicitly moral in so far as we are socialized, but that is kind of
procedural built into us. But the view I am talking about is becoming conscious of it, and
expanding out our personality in different social zones. (Jordan Peterson)

We should focus more on learning than on succeeding. Life is an unanswerable question and
learning stops when egos' make people pretend to be more knowledge than they are.
Generations after generations went by and not a single one left all knowing. (Unknown)

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9. References
 Zaki W. M., “Evaluation of Education Plans and Projects”, Islamabad, National Book
Foundation, 1989.
 Save the Children & UNICEF “Disciplining The Child Practices and Impacts”, NWFP:
School & Lietarcy Department, 2005.
 Rehman H. and Khan N., “The flaws in Pakistan’s Education System”, Abasyn Journal of
Social Sciences, vol/issue: 4(1), 2011.
 Louis D. H., “The crises of Education in Pakistan”, Lahore, Vanguard Book Ltd., 1987.
 Iqbal M., “Education in Pakistan”, Lahore, Aziz publishers, 1981.
 Qurashi I. H., “Education in Pakistan”, Karachi, Ma,aref LTD, 1975.
 Sayan, Fida, & Hussain, “Pakistan existing education system”, 2008. Retrieved from
www.eric.articles/pak/edu on dated 2012, July 18.
 Naseem J. Q., “Problem of Education in Pakistan”, Karachi, Royal Book Company, 1990.
 Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Education. “National Assessment Findings”,
Islamabad, National Education System, 2006.
 SPARC, “State of Pakistan’s Children”. Islamabad: SPARC, 2005.
 UNICEF, “Coproal Punishment in Schools in South Asia, Committee on The Rights of
Child,” Regional Office for South Asia, 2001.
 Illahi M. K., “The Role of the Heads of the Secondary Schools, Unpublished thesis,
Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan, 1986.
 Mazhar H., “Good Supervision Key to Quality Education”, The Dawn, Karachi, pp. 23,
2011