Education - Indian Laws - General

Meaning of term Education The word education is derived from the Latin word educa which means bringing out a latent faculties. Education means 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 or mature life; the act or process of imparting or acquiring particular knowledge or skills. It is the result produced by instruction, training or study. An old Sanskrit adage states : That is Education which leads to liberation -- liberation from ignorance which shrouds the mind; liberation from superstition which paralyses effort, liberation from prejudices which blind the Vision of the Truth. Education is enlightenment . It is the one that lends dignity to a man as was rightly observed by Gajendragadkar, J. (as he then was) in University of Delhi v. Ram Nath Education seeks to build up the personality of the pupil by assisting his physical, intellectual, moral and emotional development. The importance of education was emphasised in the Lacthishatakam by Bhartruhari (First Century B.C.) in the following words : Translation: Education is the special manifestation of man; Education is the treasure which can be preserved without the fear of loss; Education secures material pleasure, happiness and fame; Education is the teacher of the teacher; Education is God incarnate; Education secures honour with hands of the State, not money. A man without education is equal to animal. PADMANAV DEHURY AND ORS. VERSUS STATE OF ORISSA AND ORS. - 1998 (11) TMI 693 - ORISSA HIGH COURT In Advanced Law Lexicon (P. Ramanatha Aiyar, 3rd Edition, 2005, Vol.2) education is defined in very wide terms. It is stated : Education is the bringing up; the process of developing and training the powers and capabilities of human beings. In its broadest sense the word comprehends not merely the instruction received at school, or college but the whole course of training moral, intellectual and physical; is not limited to the ordinary instruction of the child in the pursuits of literature. It also comprehends a proper attention to the moral and religious sentiments of the child. And it is sometimes used as synonymous with learning . In The Sole Trustee, Lok Shikshana Trust v. C.I.T., 1975 (8) TMI 1 - SUPREME COURT , the term education was held to mean - the systematic instruction, schooling or training given to the young in preparation for the work of life. It also connotes the whole course of scholastic instruction which a person has received. What education connotes is the process of training and developing the knowledge, skill, mind and character of students by formal schooling. In India - Vision 2020 published by Planning Commission of India, it is stated (at p.250) - Education is an important input both for the growth of the society as well as for the individual. Properly planned educational input can contribute to increase in the Gross National Products, cultural richness, build positive attitude towards technology and increase efficiency and effectiveness of the governance. Education opens new horizons for an individual, provides new aspirations and develops new values. It strengthens competencies and develops commitment. Education generates in an individual a critical outlook on social and political realities and sharpens the ability to self- examination, self-monitoring and self-criticism. Education is -continual growth of personality, steady development of character, and the qualitative improvement of life. A trained mind has the capacity to draw spiritual nourishment from every experience, be it defeat or victory, sorrow or joy. Education is training the mind and not stuffing the brain. (See Eternal Values for A Changing Society, Vol. III Education for Human Excellence, published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay, at p. 19) [PA INAMDAR AND OTHERS VERSUS STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS- 2005 (8) TMI 614 - SUPREME COURT]