SOURCES OF EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Objectives play vital role in the process of education. No activity or educational program is
practicable without its clear cut objectives. Objectives are the foundation of educational
process. Curriculum is developed on the basis of objectives and teaching methods are also
devised with a view to attain educational objectives. Teaching aids and learning material are
also developed to fulfill the objectives.

Now, the question is wherefrom these objectives are formed and what are their sources.
Educationists have different opinion about the sources of objectives. Some focus on students’
interests, their problems and needs; while others believe that society and needs of the country
are more important to keep in view the formulation of objectives. Some focus on values and
the others give importance to ideology to determine the objectives. In fact, not a single source
but all are very important and play a significant role in formulation of the objectives.

Following are the major sources of objectives of education:

Ideology:

Ideology gives us knowledge of life and its realities. Every educational system is based on the
ideology of life. Every nation has its ideology and develops its social and civilization structure
based on its ideology. Ideology determines what types of individuals are required from a
society and what will be philosophical foundation of a particular system of education.

Prof. Whitehead says that establishment of a successful democratic society is impossible

without a philosophical foundation of its general education. Life is ever-changing; hence
objectives of education are also subjected to change. Philosophy of life not only provide us
objectives of education but also directs us to change them according to time and needsof
society.

Social Values:

Every society needs to preserve its values. Values and social system develops in the light of
philosophy of life; so values of a society are very important in education and training of its
individuals. In the beginning of an educational process, it is decided how the values and culture
will be transmitted to the next generation. Every society focuses on eradication of social evils
and progress of good social values so that their existence is ensured. Eternal values and good
customs of a society such as justice, equality, honest, generosity, bravery, brotherhood,
sympathy and many more are tried to inculcate through education to the individuals.

Social Needs:

Social needs are a very wide field. Every society wants to keep pace with the other nations of
the world in the race of progress and development. It is need of the day that all natural
resources should be utilized full so that a society may progress. This can be done by use of
science and technology. Social life is many faceted such as customs, values, philosophy, needs,
institutions, life style, hygiene, happiness, worries, arts and crafts that fill colures to life of
people of a society. Educational institutions are expected to train and educate the younger
generations in such a way that they are well adjusted in the society and practical life. This will
make them useful for their country and nation.

Plato considers education as a process to establish a healthy society. That is why the
educational planners first of all keep in view the needs of society.

Basic Human Needs:

Society is the group of people. If individuals are able and of good character, society will
automatically make progress and prosper. Modern concept of education focuses on
individuality. Learner is the centre of all teaching learning process. To fulfill the needs of the
learners is basic function of education. Man strives for satisfaction of his needs. Psychologists
have listed basic human needs. These needs are different in different stages of his
development. Physical health, Rights and obligations, status, cooperation, information, skills,
games and sports, aesthetics, freedom of expression are the major human needs that are
satisfied through education. So, these human needs must be considered while formulating
aims, objectives and goals of education.

Prof. A. R. Somroo
Department of Education
Govt. Emerson College, Multan