FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATION WITH REGARD TO CULTURE

 FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATION WITH REGARD TO CULTURE

Education and culture are closely related. Education is one of the most important means through which culture is learned, preserved, transmitted and modified.

Culture includes the:

• language
• customs
• traditions
• beliefs
• values
• morals
• art
• literature
• music
• knowledge
• skills
• social practices
• ways of life

of a particular society.

Education helps individuals understand their culture and become active members of society.

At the same time, education does not merely preserve everything that exists in culture. It also examines existing practices and helps society modify outdated practices and develop new cultural patterns.

Therefore, the major functions of education with regard to culture are:

1. Cultural Transmission

2. Cultural Preservation

3. Cultural Transformation

These three functions are closely interconnected.

Meaning of Culture

Culture is the total way of life of a group or society.

It includes both:

Material culture

Things created and used by people, such as:

• buildings
• tools
• clothing
• technology
• art objects
• agricultural implements

Non-material culture

Ideas and patterns of social life, such as:

deas and patterns of social life, such as:

• language
• beliefs
• values
• customs
• traditions
• morals
• social norms
• knowledge

Culture is not biologically inherited.

It is learned and socially transmitted.

This is why education has an important role in culture.

Relationship Between Education and Culture

The relationship between education and culture is reciprocal.

Culture influences education

Culture influences:

• educational aims
• curriculum
• teaching methods
• school practices
• values
• language of instruction
• educational expectations

Education influences culture

Education:

• transmits culture
• preserves culture
• develops cultural awareness
• modifies outdated practices
• creates new cultural patterns
• promotes cultural integration

Therefore:

Culture ↔ Education

Three Major Functions of Education Regarding Culture

The three major functions are:

A. Transmission

Passing culture from one generation to another

B. Preservation

Protecting and maintaining valuable cultural heritage

C. Transformation

Changing, modifying and enriching culture according to new needs

A simple formula is:

Culture → Transmit → Preserve → Transform → Enrich Culture

 

CULTURAL TRANSMISSION

Meaning of Cultural Transmission

Cultural transmission means the process by which the knowledge, values, beliefs, customs, language, traditions and ways of life of one generation are communicated to and learned by the next generation.

Education is one of the most important agencies of cultural transmission.

For example, children learn:

• their mother tongue
• traditional stories
• social manners
• festivals
• moral values
• history
• customs

through family, school and society.

How Does Education Transmit Culture?

Education transmits culture through:

1. Curriculum

Subjects such as:

• history
• literature
• language
• social science
• art

carry cultural knowledge.

2. Language

Language is one of the most powerful carriers of culture.

Through language, learners receive:

• stories
• literature
• ideas
• history
• traditions
• collective memories

3. Stories and Literature

Folk tales, poems, epics and literature transmit:

• moral values
• traditions
• social experiences
• cultural identity

4. School Activities

Schools transmit culture through:

• celebrations
• cultural programmes
• songs
• dance
• drama
• assemblies
• exhibitions

5. Social Interaction

Students learn cultural behaviour through interaction with:

• teachers
• classmates
• family
• community

Example of Cultural Transmission

Suppose a teacher teaches students about Onam.

Students learn:

• the cultural significance of Onam
• traditional songs
• Pookkalam
• Onam games
• traditional food
• stories associated with the festival
• values of sharing and community

The teacher is helping transmit cultural knowledge from the older generation to the younger generation.

This is Cultural Transmission.

Another Example – Mother Tongue

A child learns Malayalam through:

• family
• school
• literature
• conversation
• stories
• songs

The language carries the cultural knowledge of the community.

Therefore:

Language → Cultural knowledge → Next generation

Education helps this transmission take place systematically.

Importance of Cultural Transmission

Cultural transmission helps:

• maintain cultural continuity
• develop cultural identity
• preserve collective memory
• transmit values
• promote socialization
• connect generations
• develop a sense of belonging
• maintain social cohesion

Without cultural transmission, much of the accumulated knowledge and experience of society may be lost.

CULTURAL PRESERVATION

Meaning of Cultural Preservation

Cultural preservation means protecting, maintaining and conserving valuable cultural knowledge, traditions, values, language, heritage and practices so that they are not lost over time.

Transmission and preservation are closely related but not identical.

Transmission

means:

Passing culture to the next generation.

Preservation

means:

Ensuring that valuable cultural elements are protected and continue to exist. 

Why is Cultural Preservation Necessary?

Culture may face threats from:

• rapid modernization
• globalization
• technological change
• migration
• changing lifestyles
• commercialization
• loss of traditional knowledge
• declining use of local languages

Education can help protect important cultural heritage while still allowing society to progress.

How Does Education Preserve Culture?

1 Preservation of Language

Schools can promote:

• mother tongue
• regional languages
• literature
• local writings

This helps prevent the loss of linguistic heritage.

Example

Teaching Malayalam literature, poetry and folk literature helps preserve Kerala's linguistic heritage.

2 Preservation of Literature

Schools and colleges introduce students to:

• classical literature
• folk literature
• poetry
• stories
• historical writings

This preserves intellectual and literary heritage.

3 Preservation of Art and Music

Education can preserve:

• traditional music
• folk songs
• classical dance
• traditional painting
• handicrafts

Example

Teaching students traditional art forms such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam-related artistic traditions and folk arts helps create awareness and continuity.

4 Preservation of Historical Heritage

Education creates awareness about:

• historical monuments
• archaeological sites
• museums
• historical events
• local heritage

Example

A school field visit to a historical monument can help students understand why heritage sites need protection.

Preservation of Traditional Knowledge

Education can document and teach valuable traditional knowledge related to:

• agriculture
• medicine
• food
• crafts
• architecture
• environmental practices

However, valuable traditional knowledge should be examined critically and taught responsibly rather than assuming that every traditional practice is scientifically valid.

Example of Cultural Preservation

Imagine that a local traditional craft is slowly disappearing because younger generations are no longer learning it.

A school can:

• invite a local craftsperson
• demonstrate the craft
• allow students to practise it
• document the process
• organize an exhibition

The school thereby helps ensure that the cultural practice is not lost.

Thus:

Traditional cultural element

🔜

Educational documentation and practice

🔜

Continued cultural existence

This is Cultural Preservation.

Importance of Cultural Preservation

It helps to:

• protect cultural heritage
• maintain cultural identity
• connect generations
• preserve language
• protect traditional knowledge
• strengthen social continuity
• develop respect for heritage
• promote cultural diversity

CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION

Meaning of Cultural Transformation

Cultural transformation means the modification, development or reconstruction of existing cultural beliefs, values, practices and patterns of behaviour in response to changing social, scientific, technological and human needs.

Education is not merely a transmitter of culture.

It can also become an agent of cultural change.

Why is Cultural Transformation Necessary?

Not every cultural practice is appropriate for all times.

Some practices may become:

• outdated
• discriminatory
• scientifically incorrect
• harmful
• incompatible with democratic values
• inconsistent with human rights

Education encourages learners to examine such practices critically.

Thus, education can help society move from:

Blind acceptance → Critical understanding → Positive change

How Does Education Transform Culture?

1 Promoting Scientific Temper

Education encourages people to examine beliefs through:

• evidence
• observation
• reasoning
• scientific thinking

This can reduce dependence on harmful superstition.

2 Promoting Gender Equality

Education can challenge traditional gender stereotypes.

For example, the belief that:

“Certain professions are only for men”

can be challenged through education.

Education can promote:

• equal opportunities
• women's education
• gender-sensitive attitudes
• shared responsibilities

Thus, education transforms cultural attitudes.

3 Promoting Social Equality

Education can challenge:

• discrimination
• social exclusion
• prejudice
• inequality

It promotes:

• equality
• dignity
• justice
• human rights

Thus, education contributes to cultural transformation.

4 Technological Transformation

Education introduces individuals to:

• digital technology
• artificial intelligence
• online communication
• new forms of work
• digital citizenship

This changes patterns of communication, learning and social interaction.

5 Environmental Transformation

Education can transform people's attitudes toward nature.

For example:

Traditional attitude:

“Nature is simply a resource to be used.”

Education can promote:

“Nature must be used sustainably and protected for future generations.”

This represents cultural transformation.

Example of Cultural Transformation – Gender Equality

Consider a traditional social belief that girls should have limited educational or career opportunities.

Education can introduce ideas of:

• equality
• human rights
• women's empowerment
• equal opportunity

Students develop new attitudes.

These attitudes influence families and communities.

Therefore:

Education

🔜

New knowledge and values

🔜

Changed attitudes

🔜

Changed behaviour

🔜

Cultural transformation

Example of Cultural Transformation – Scientific Thinking

Suppose a community accepts a particular superstition without questioning it.

Education introduces:

• scientific reasoning
• evidence
• observation
• critical thinking

Students begin to question unsupported claims.

They may communicate this understanding to their families and communities.

Thus:

Education → Scientific attitude → Changed beliefs → Cultural transformation

Example of Cultural Transformation – Environmental Culture

Suppose people traditionally dispose of household waste without segregation.

Environmental education introduces:

• waste segregation
• recycling
• composting
• reduction of plastic
• responsible consumption

Students practise these habits at school and carry them home.

The family's behaviour may change.

Eventually, community practices may also change.

Thus:

Education → New environmental values → New behaviour → Cultural transformation

Difference Between Transmission, Preservation and Transformation

Aspect	Transmission	Preservation	Transformation
Meaning	Passing culture	Protecting culture	Changing culture
Main purpose	Continuity	Conservation	Development
Focus	Generation to generation	Valuable heritage	Adaptation to new needs
Key question	“How do we pass it on?”	“How do we protect it?”	“How can we improve it?”
Role of education	Transmitter	Conservator	Agent of change
Example	Teaching folk stories	Documenting folk traditions	Modifying harmful social attitudes
Result	Cultural continuity	Cultural identity	Cultural development