Quarter 2

Understanding Culture, Society &

Politics

Functions and Importance of

Education in the Society

Specific learning Objectives:

1. Define education;
2. Trace and describe the educational system of the Philippines;
3. Give the functions and importance of education in the society; and
4. Evaluate how education functions and affects society.
 Jumpstart

What I Know Assessment.

I. Read and analyze the concepts below. Write the word Correct if
the idea of the statement is true and write the word Incorrect if
otherwise. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. Education is also a form of socialization according to sociologists.

2. The American colonization in the Philippines lasted f o r f o r t y -
eight y e a r s and had brought a big influence in our education
system today.
3. The education during the Spanish time was open for all indios.
4. Formal education follows indefinite system of learning process.
5. Tertiary education is regulated by the Department of Education.
6. Elementary education is a formal type of education.
7. Elementary education in the country is compulsory thus all
Filipino children are enrolled in elementary school.
8. SPED school aims to develop the potentials of the child with
special needs.
9. High school has a total of six years under the new school
curriculum.
10. Education reflects a classless society.

II. Identification. Identify what is being asked.

11. He proposed the theory of hierarchy of needs.

12. What is the letter E in the acronym of UNESCO stands for?
13. What is the starting level under K to 12 the basic education?
14. Primary education is considered a human .
15. Type of education that enables a student to learn skills
and knowledge through structured learning experiences.

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 Discover

Definition of Education
Education is the social institution through which society
provides its members with important knowledge, including basic
facts, job skills, and cultural norms and values (Macionis, 2012).
Education is the acquisition of knowledge, habits, skills, and abilities
through instruction and training or through self-activity. It is
systematic training of the moral and intellectual faculties of the
mind. It is the process of transmitting to the young, the vital
cultural heritage of a group.

Education in the Philippines

Education in the Philippines is managed and regulated by the
Department of Education, commonly referred to as the DepEd. It
controls the Philippine educational system, including the creation
and implementation of the curriculum and the utilization of funds
allotted by the national government. It also manages the
construction of schools, acquisition of books and other school
materials, and the recruitment of teachers and staff.
Before the Philippines attained independence in 1946, the
country’s education system was patterned after the educational systems
of Spain and the United States. The Philippines, with exemption to other
parts of the country, were under Spanish rule for more than three
hundred years while the Americans stayed for twenty two years.
Spanish and the United States brought educational practices,
which reflected their culture and ideologies. During the Spanish
time, the function of education was inculcated moral and religious
values. Religion was the core curriculum, and the schools were used
to spread Christianity. It mainly served the upper classes; thus,
education symbolized “social standing and prestige.” The educated
class consisted mostly of ilustrados. When the Americans came,
education was focused on the development of new social patterns
that would prepare the nation for a self-governing democracy. Public
institution was institutionalized to give every person the education
needed to participate in a self- governing democracy. The medium of
instruction was English. However, after independence, the country’s
educational system changed radically.
Today, the government of the Philippines has been very active
in tapping the educational system for the country’s development
efforts. With the adaptation of the K to 12 programs, it is hoped that
Philippine Educational System is now responding to the demands of
the economy for national development.

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4
Types of Education
In general, there are three types of education, these are:
1. Formal education
This refers to the hierarchically structured,
chronologically graded educational system from primary
school to the university, including programs and institutions
for full time technical and vocational training. At the end of
each level, the learners must obtain certification in order to
enter or advance to the next level. Formal education shall
correspond to the following levels in basic education:

a. Elementary Education
Elementary education involves compulsory, formal
education primarily concerned with providing basic
education, and usually corresponds to a traditional six
grades or seven grades, and in addition, to preschool
programs. Such preschool education normally consists of
kindergarten schooling but may cover other preparatory
courses as well.
At the basic education level, the Department
of Education (DepEd) sets overall educational
standards and mandates standardized tests for the K to
12 basic education system, although private schools are
generally free to determine their own curriculum in
accordance with existing laws and Department
regulations.

b. Secondary Education
Secondary education, public schools and private
schools, is concerned primarily with continuing basic
education of the elementary level and expanding it to
include the learning of employable, gainful skills, usually
corresponding to four years of junior high school and
two years of senior high school.

c. Tertiary Education
Institutions of higher education may be classified
as either public or private college or university, and
public institutions of higher education may further be
subdivided into two types: state universities and colleges
and local colleges and universities.
Most institutions of higher learning are regulated
by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED).
Colleges typically offer 1 or more specialized programs
while universities must offer at least 8 or more different
undergraduate degree programs in a wide array of
subjects and at least 2 or more graduate programs.

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 Public universities are all non-sectarian and offer a
wide-range of programs, with English as medium of
instruction. Public universities are government funded,
with the largest, the University of the Philippines,
receiving a substantial amount from the annual budget.
There are also several private tertiary institutions,
sectarian or non-sectarian as well as for profit or not-
for-profit.

2. Non-formal education
It refers to any organized educational activity outside
the established formal system to provide selected types of
learning to a segment of the population.
As a concept, non-formal education emerged in
response to the world crisis in education identified by Philip
H. Coombs in 1967, who argued that the formal education
system have failed to address the changing dynamics of the
environment and the societies. The skills that are needed to
foster economic development are lacking due to untrained
labor force that is not able to access formal education. Non-
formal education enables a student to learn skills and
knowledge through structured learning experiences. A
student learns his/her values, principles, and beliefs and
undergoes lifelong learning.

Example: Vocational Education

Accredited private institutions offer technical and

vocational education. Programs offered vary in duration from a
few weeks to two years. On completion students may take
centrally-administered examinations to obtain their diploma
or certificate.
Vocational colleges do not usually require an entrance
examination. Only a record of high school educational and
an enrolment fee are required.

3. Informal education
It is a lifelong process whereby every individual
acquires from daily experiences, attitudes, values, facts,
skills, and knowledge or motor skill from resources in his
or her higher environment.
It offers alternative learning opportunities for the out of
school youth and adults specifically those who are 15 years
old and above and unable to avail themselves of the
educational services and programs of formal education. It
reaches out to citizens of varied interests, demographic
characteristics, and socioeconomic origins and status. Its

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 primary objective is to provide literacy programs to eradicate
illiteracy.

*Special Education
Special Education refers to the education of persons
who are physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, or
culturally different from so- called “normal” individuals,
such that they require modification of school practices to
develop their potential. Special education provides distinct
services, curricula, and instructional materials geared to
pupils or students who are significantly higher or lower
than the average or norm.
SPED aims to develop the maximums potential of the
child with the special needs to enable him/her to become self-
reliant and take advantage of the opportunities for a full and
happy life.

Functions of Education in the Society

As British sociologist Herbert Spencer explains, functions are
important to be performed as they make the society whole. If each
function is working well, society attains progress. He lays down the
functions of education as follows:

1. Productive Citizenry
Education systems enable citizens to be productive
members of a society, as they are equipped with knowledge
and skills that could contribute to the development of their
society’s systems and institutions. This highlights the
importance of formal and non-formal education in the
development of oneself and the society. Consequentially, it
is crucial for educational systems to adapt to the changing
demands of the environment to efficiently capacitate
individuals.
Being a productive citizen requires critical thinking.
One must have the ability to understand his or her duties
and be able to respond to them by making decisions.
Through education, individuals are introduced to concepts
concerning democracy, power, inequality, and the like. This
promotes greater awareness in his or her society. It
encourages vigilance and participation. Educational
attainment does not only contribute to the individual’s
success but also to the betterment of his or her
environment.

2. Self-actualization
Education develops one’s sense of self. As a huge part

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of the discovery process of oneself, education encourages
having the vision to become self-actualized. Moreover, it
enables one to see your strengths and maintain them. It
enables one to determine weakness and adjust to them.
This helps one reach full potential and establish oneself as
a whole.
According to Abraham Maslow, self-actualization is the
highest form of human need. It was defined as “to become
more and more what one is, to become everything that one
is capable of becoming.”
The concept of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is once that
level is fulfilled the next level up is what motivates us, and
so on.

Figure 1: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

1. Physiological needs - these are biological requirements

for human survival, e.g. air, food, drink, shelter,
clothing, warmth, sex, sleep. If these needs are not
satisfied the human body cannot function optimally.
2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order,
law, stability, freedom from fear.
3. Love and belongingness needs -the need for
interpersonal relationships motivates behaviour
Examples include friendship, intimacy, trust, and
acceptance, receiving and giving affection and love.
Affiliating, being part of a group (family, friends, work).
4. Esteem needs - which Maslow classified into two
categories: (i) esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement,
mastery, and independence) and (ii) the desire for
reputation or respect from others (e.g., status, prestige).
Maslow indicated that the need for respect or reputation
is most important for children and adolescents and
precedes real self- esteem or dignity.
5. Self-actualization needs - realizing personal potential,
self- fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak

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 experiences.

However, through education, humans are empowered to

experience and learn their true capacities that lead to self-
actualization. Humans also tend to find boundless enthusiasm in
learning outside the classroom, which is basically through
experience. With this, it becomes easier for them to socialize, to
identify a career path, to create self-identity, and the like. They will
tend to have the ability to analyze, evaluate, and decide on their
own.
To others, education takes place both in and outside schools. It
functions to preserve and transmit the culture. It is, as Durkheim
wrote: “the means by which society perpetually recreates the
conditions of its very existence.” Defined in the most general sense,
education can occur anywhere, in any setting, through any experience.
Thus broadly conceived, education has the same meaning as
socialization, the internalization of culture, and learning human
behavior.
Whether it takes place in or outside of the school system,
education is of two kinds, formal and informal. Formal education is
imparted by direct instruction. Informal education comes about
indirectly, the learner often unaware that he is having a learning
experience.
The primary function of education is the socialization of the new
members of the society. The late president Ramon Magsaysay aptly
observed that “education is the greatest equalizer of opportunities” for
everybody. Other most important objectives of education are:
1) Teaching basic skills, such as reading, writing, and arithmetic.
2) Helping children develop skills in abstracting thinking and
problem solving.
3) Transmitting the cultural heritage, from which individual
may develop an appreciation of their society.
4) Communicating to children the basic value of the society.
5) Teaching the special aspects of the culture, such as art,
music, literature, drama, science, technology, and sports.
6) Teaching vocational skills that help individuals enter the job
market.
7) Training citizens for life within the political system of their
society.
8) Preparing children to live long and form meaningful
relationship with other human beings.

Primary Education as a Human Right

Primary education is essential in the early stages of human
life. Humans need education to enable them to adapt to the dictates
of their society. The United Nations Educational Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declare that education is a

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fundamental human right and essential for the exercise of all other
human rights. It promotes individual freedom and empowerment and
yields important development benefits. Yet millions of children and
adults remain deprived of educational opportunities, many as a
result of poverty.”

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 Normative instruments of the United Nations and UNESCO
lay down international legal obligations for the right to education.
These instruments promote and develop the right of every person to
enjoy access to education of good quality, without discrimination or
exclusion. These instruments bear witness to the great importance
that Member States and the international community attach to
normative action for realizing the right to education. It is for
government to fulfil their obligations both legal and political in regard
to providing education for all of good quality and to implement and
monitor more effectively strategies.
Education is a powerful tool by which economically and socially
marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and
participate fully as citizens.
Although the UN is such powerful global actor that can
mandate its member to follow its structure, education deprivation
still persists in most societies. This exclusion is socially constructed
in unequal settings.
Formal education suggests studying in a school or university
where everything is systematic. A teacher or professor explains,
while a student listens and understands. For that, the student pays
the teacher. The last relates primarily to the struggles between social
classes. Formal education, in particular tries to keep pace with the
changes in the economy, as can be observed in the constant tuition
fee increases in institutions of higher learning.
The issue on education taps economical aspect of the society,
as classism stands as a barrier to the social development of humans.
This also digs on the impact of social inequality, as a systematic
oppression lies especially on the lower class. They experience
discrepancies in educational opportunities due to financial problems.

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 Explore

Enrichment Activity 1. Focusing on the roles or functions of

education in the national development, give at least 5 specific ways
on how education can provide quality life to an individual and to the
society as a whole.

INDIVIDUAL SOCIETY
1
2

Enrichment Activity 2. Give specific scenarios/examples/ways on

how education helps an individual to attain its need on each
hierarchy given below. You will be guided by answering the questions
below. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

How education
helps in
attaining self-
actualization?

How education helps in

establishing self-
esteem?

How education helps to feel

Love and belongingness?

How can education helps in

attaining
Safety and security?

How can education helps in sustaining

Physiological needs?
.
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 Deepen

From all your answers in the activities and your new acquired
knowledge about education, think on how education create barriers
or inequalities among the members of the society making it difficult
for the others to attain a quality state of living. From that, make a
slogan that promotes quality primary education for all. Use any
writing and coloring materials available.

RUBRIC for the

Slogan
Category 4 3 2 1
The slogan is The slogan is
The slogan is The slogan is
acceptably distractingly
exceptionally attractive in
attractive messy or very
Creativity attractive in terms of
though it poorly
terms of design, design, layout
may be a bit designed. It
layout, and and neatness.
messy. is not
neatness.
attractive.
3 accurate 2 accurate 1 accurate
Inaccurate
Content - reasons are reasons are reason is
reason(s) are
Accuracy displayed on displayed on displayed
used.
the slogan. the slogan. on the
poster.
Slogan's
Slogan is
meaning isn't
Slogan is Slogan is weak catchy but
clear and
catchy and but supports doesn't
doesn't
Slogan supports the the idea of the support the
support the
idea of the importance of idea of the
idea of the
importance of education. importance
importance of
education. of education.
our
education.

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 Gauge

A. Multiple Choice: Carefully read every question below and choose

the letter that corresponds to your answer. Write your answers in a
separate sheet of paper.

For items 1-4

A. Family B. Education C. Government D. Religion

1. The institution that administers the regulatory functions of law

and order, and maintains security in society.

2. The process of socialization, which begins informally at home

and then formally in educational institutions.

3. The most basic social institution and is a system of organized

relationship involving workable and dependable ways of
meeting basic social needs.

4. Constitutes a set of beliefs regarding the ultimate power in the

universe, the ideal and proper pattern of behavior, and ceremonial
ways to expressing these beliefs.

For Items 5-8

A. Formal Education C. Non-Formal Education
B. Informal Education D. Special Education

5. It provides distinct services, facilities, curricula, and

instructional materials geared to pupils or students who are
significantly higher or lower than the average or norm.

6. Refers to the systematic and deliberate process of

hierarchically structured and sequential learning.

7. They are organized systematic education that provides selected

types of learning to a segment of the population.

8. It is a lifelong process of learning. What other function or

purpose of education it is referring to?

For Items 9-12

A. Education is Self-Empowerment
B. Fosters Participant Democracy
C. Financial stability
D. To complete the socialization process

9. Education helps you gain sufficient academic qualification,

knowledge and skills to get a suitable employment with proper
remuneration or salary.
10.Literacy, which is the product of education, allows full

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 participation of the people in democratic process and effective
voting.

11.Receiving a good education helps empower you, thus making

you strong enough to look after yourself in any given situation
or conditions.

12.The main social objective of education which involves the

family and school as agents of socialization.

B. Define the following important terms.

1. School

2. Education

3. Self-actualization

4. Citizens

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Answer Key

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