Education and Formal Agencies

Education is a process to develop the intellectual faculties of the man. It makes the civilized, refined, cultured and educated. For a civilized and socialized society, education is the only means. It makes a man perfect. It is systematic process through which a child or a man acquires knowledge, experience, skill and sound attitude.
Every society gives importance to education because it is a panacea for all evils. It is the key to solve all problems of life.
Derivative Meaning of Education:
The word ‘Education’ has been derived from different words. Latin word ‘E’ and ‘Duco’ means to draw out of the inner qualities of the child. Similarly, ‘educare’ means to nurture and to bring up while ‘educare’ means to draw out the qualities of a child to make a complete man.
Various educationists have given their views on education. Some important definitions are:
Gandhi – “By education I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in man – body, mind and spirit.”
Tagore - “Education makes one’s life in harmony with all existence.”
Dr. Zakir Husain – “Education is the process of the individual mind, getting to its full possible development.”
Aristotle- “Education is the creation of sound mind in a sound body.”
Rousseau- “Education is the child’s development from within.”
Spencer- “Education is complete living.”
It can be estimated that education is a comprehensive term and it reflects one’s day-to-day life and an essential aspect for perfect balanced personality development.
On other hand, the meaning of education can be understood from the narrower and broader point of view. Narrower meaning implies education is limited in educational institutions and broader meaning refers to life-long comprehensive process of education.
Nature of Education:
As the meaning of education, so its nature which is very complex. The natures of education are:
(a) Education is life-long process- Education is life long process because every stage of life of an individual is important from educational point.
(b) Education is a systematic process- It refers to transact its activities through a systematic institution and regulation.
(c) Education is development of individual and the society- It is called a force for social development, which brings improvement in every aspect in the society.
(d) Education is modification of behavior- Human behavior is modified and improved through educational process.
(e) Education is a training- Human senses, mind, behavior, activities; skills are trained in a constructive and socially desirable way.
(f) Education is instruction and direction- It directs and instructs an individual to fulfill his desires and needs for exaltation of his whole personality.
(g) Education is life- Life without education is meaningless and like the life of a beast. Every aspect and incident needs education for its sound development.
(h) Education is continuous reconstruction of our experiences- As per the definition of John Dewey education reconstructs and remodels our experiences towards socially desirable way.
(i) Education is a power and treasure in human being through which he is entitled as the supreme master on the earth.
Therefore, the role of education is countless for a perfect society and man. It is necessary for every society and nation to bring holistic happiness and prosperity to its individuals.

Educational agencies are the means to achieve some goal. The role and goal of agencies of education are the impart different types of education. An individual acquires knowledge and experiences through different ways. So these sources and ways of learning take place in different institution which exercise an educational influence on the child. So the agencies of education are called the chief communicating agents between individual and the goal of education.
According, to the role, educational agencies are two types- Active and Passive and according to their form they are of three types i.e. formal, informal and non-formal. These types of agencies are explained in the following ways.
(1) Active Agencies:
Active agencies are those where both educator and educed are active participants. The action and reactions are entertained. The school, home, family are considered as the active agencies of education. Learning is a two-way process. Interaction is lively.
(2) Passive agencies:
Passive agencies are those which influence the learners but they are not influenced in return. The teaching-learning process is one way. These create public opinion and public control. If the leaner is interested he may learn. Radio, TV, press, Library are the examples of passive agencies.
(3) Formal agencies:
Formal agencies are more or less deliberately set up by the society. It has specific objectives, curriculum, examination system, etc. These are formal because they are pre-planned. The place and time are fixed. School, college, university are the examples of formal agencies of education.
(4) Informal agencies:
There are agencies which grow up spontaneously and also dissolve in the same way. They observe no formalities. They indirectly impart education. If one is interested one can learn. They include family, society, playground, professional organizations, youth activity groups, etc.
(5) Non-formal agencies:
It is the recent concept used in India. It helps the formal agencies of education. Those who are not getting chance in formal agencies of education like schools, colleges and universities may go through the non-formal agencies of education. The programmes are meant for out of school youths, adults, and women. Correspondence course, Open University and adult education include in the non-formal agencies of education.