1.1.4 EDUCATION COMPREHENSIVE DEFINITION
Comprehensive definition of education:
Redden's definition of education is quite comprehensive. It reads like this;
"Education is the deliberate and systematic influence exerted by the mature person upon the immature, through instruction, discipline and harmonious development of physical, intellectual, aesthetic, social and spiritual powers of the human being, according to individual and social needs and directed towards the union of the educand with his creator as the final end".
An analysis of Redden's definition of education will show that----
1.Education is deliberate and systematic.
2. Influence exerted by a mature person upon the immature one.
3. Education leads to harmonious development.
4. Individual and social needs.
5. The union of the created with his creator.
1. Education is deliberate and systematic.
Education is a deliberate process. It is a conscious process. It involves care and guidance. It is not a haphazard activity. It is carefully planned, hence, it is systematic.
2. Influence exerted by a mature person upon the immature one.
Education involves one who knows and the one who does not know. Mature persons which include parents, teachers and other elders influence the young one - the learners.
3. Education leads to harmonious development.
Education is a complex process. Its aim is harmonious development of the learner's personality. This means, through the process of education all aspects of the child's personality -physical, intellectual, aesthetic, social and spiritual should develop together in perfect harmony.
4. Individual and social needs.
The development should be according to individual needs. But the social needs are not to be ignored. Development of individuality must be in conformity with the needs of the society.
5. The union of the created with his creator.
Education is a means to the final end. It is through education that the individual is to meet his creator and attain salvation.
In short, education is a continuous, life-long process.