FUNCTIONS AND

IMPORTANCE
OF EDUCATION
Sit Dolor Amet
Education may have a different connotation depending on
how individuals look at it. For example, a teacher and a
student may have a different view on education. In the
flower chart below, write your own ideas or concepts
about education.
What’s New: What’s the Difference?
Write down the distinction between the formal and
nonformal education.
Process Question:
1. How formal and nonformal education differ?

2. Which type of education are you in, the formal or

the nonformal? Why?
3. Give example/s of formal and nonformal
education.

4. Why do you think they are important in

the society?
 THE MEANING OF
EDUCATION, TYPES,
FUNCTIONS AND ITS
IMPORTANCE
 The Meaning of Education

◦ Education {ej-oo-key-shuhn], the act or process of

imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing
the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of
preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life
(https://www.dictionary.com/browse/education).
 The Meaning of Education

◦Dr. William Little (2014) held that education

is a social institution through which a
society’s children are taught basic
academic knowledge, learning skills, and
cultural norms.
◦ Furthermore, the word education is derived from the Latin
word “educare” which means “to train”, “to rear or bring-
up (a child)”. Hence, it plays a significant role in
transferring culture and social norms among members of
society, in the process of training and various modalities of
educating. It enables individual to flourish their personality
to withstand the culture and social systems. It will always
remain as an essential support pillar in our society.
◦ Hence, Alvin Toffler, an American writer and futurist,
is popularly quoted for having said “The illiterate of
the twenty-first century will not be those who cannot
read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn
and relearn.” This marks the highlights of the
extensive journey that occurs in the field of
education.
 THE SYSTEM OF
EDUCATION IN THE
PHILIPPINES
There are two types of education in the Philippines: the
formal and the nonformal. Formal education refers to the
standardized method of hierarchically structured and
progressive schooling that corresponds to the general notion
of elementary and secondary and tertiary level of education.
Yet, only the primary and secondary level is compulsory to
the students.
◦ In the educational system of the Philippines, the elementary and
secondary level is administered and supervised by the Department
of Education. Elementary level is composed of kindergarten and six
(6) years of primary education. Whereas, the secondary contains
four (4) years of junior high school and two (2) years of senior high
school. Furthermore, the tertiary level is administered and
supervised by the Commission on Higher Education. The actual
years spent in this level depends on the curriculum of each course.
Nonetheless, the nonformal education refers to an educational
activity carried outside the structure of a formal education.
According to UNESCO, non-formal education can cover
programmes contributing to adult and youth literacy and
education for out-of-school children, as well as programmes on
life skills, work skills, and social or cultural development. Thus,
this type of education is basically flexible, learner-centered,
contextualized and requires learners to participate in every
activity. Also, the age of learners in this category is not a
necessity.
One example is the Alternative Learning System or ALS
overseen by the Department of Education. ALS Non-formal
Education happens outside the classroom, community-based,
usually conducted at community learning centers, barangay
multi-purpose hall, libraries or at home, managed by ALS
learning facilitators, such as mobile teachers, district ALS
Coordinators, instructional managers at an agreed schedule and
venue between the learners and facilitators. (
https://www.deped.gov.ph/k-to-12/inclusive-education/about-
alternative-learning-system/)
THE FUNCTIONS OF
EDUCATION AND ITS
IMPORTANCE
◦ Whether formal or nonformal, education addresses various
needs of this society. Education also provides a
“productive citizenry”, and makes the “self-actualization”
possible. Productive citizens are necessary for the
improvement of the community. However, self-
actualization refers to the desire for self-fulfillment or the
tendency of human to become actualized in what he is
potentially. Again, education takes a vital part to achieve
the self-actualization.
Education has different functions. This
consists of socialization, transmission of
culture, social integration social placement,
and social and cultural innovation and/or
preservation.
a) Socialization

◦ Socialization is an essential ingredient in creating a

society. Since school is an agent of socialization, thus,
education helps transform human in becoming literate and
recognize its function in the society. Through education as
a means of socialization, we also learn social norms,
values and culture that are fortified by our teachers, our
textbooks, and our classmates as well.
b) Transmission of Culture.

Through socialization in school (teachers to

learners, and learner to learner), the transmission of
culture is at the highest possible. Through
education, human learn the values, beliefs, and
social norms of
their culture.
c) Social Integration

As the saying goes “nations are built because of

education”, this is because education portrays
an important role to unify individuals by
teaching the common values and social norms.
d) Social Placement

◦ It could be a cliché that “all other professions rooted

from teachers” though, it is indeed the reality.
Education provides a social placement for everyone.
It prepares us for the later station of our lives, and,
to buy the necessities of life. Now, this makes sense
to “productive citizenry” and “self- actualization”
◦ Nonetheless, it is not a secret that education can
change one’s life. “Having education in an area
helps people think, feel, and behave in a way that
contributes to their success, and improves not only
their personal satisfaction but also their community”
(cited from Al-Shuaibi, Abdulghani, The Importance
of Education, 2014).
 LEGAL PROVISIONS OF
EDUCATION: EDUCATION
AS A HUMAN RIGHT
Article 26
◦ (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at
least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary
education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional
education shall be made generally available and higher education
shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
Article 26
◦ (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of
the human personality and to the strengthening of respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship
among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall
further the activities of the United Nations for the
maintenance of peace.
Article 26

◦(3) Parents have a prior right to choose

the kind of education that shall be
given to their children.
Article 26
◦ (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at
least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary
education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional
education shall be made generally available and higher education
shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
IN THE 1987 PHILIPPINE
CONSTITUTION,
ARTICLE 14:
Section 1:
◦The State shall protect and promote the
right of all citizens to quality education at
all levels, and shall take appropriate steps
to make such education accessible to all.
Section 2, Paragraph 2:

◦ The state shall establish and maintain a system of

free public education in the elementary and high
school levels. Without limiting the natural right of
parents to rear their children, elementary education
is compulsory for all children of school age;
◦ The right to education is fundamental. It is non-
discriminatory. Everyone has the right to education
regardless of race, ethnicity, social origin, gender,
political preferences or disability. It is also a vital
human right in exercising all the other human rights.
◦ Furthermore, it stimulates independence and concession to
produce significant development benefits for the country.
It is a powerful instrument for economically and socially
marginalized individuals away from poverty to become
productive citizen of the country. Since education is a
human right, every individual has an equal opportunity to
participate in an education system.