Introduction:-

Education is not a new concept. It is as old as human race. Its importance and magnanimity have been keenly realised since the dawn of human civilisation. The biped animal human being is the best creation of God on earth. His life is pious and praiseworthy. God has unequally endowed man with certain rare qualities which are not found in other animal bodies. Man is amenable. He applies his reasoning power. He acts according to his rational thinking and judgement. Basically, man is the combination of characteristics of ape and angel, animality and divinity, and lower-self and higher-self. Rationality, divinity and higher-self of man make him superior and greater than others. In order to become a rational man, the lower-self and animality in man are to be transformed into higher-self and rational-self. Without transformation, man will no way better than an animal. This transformation can only be possible through education. But in this world man is the only animal who is capable of being educated. 

        Human life has two aspects. Biologically, the needs of man are not different from that of animals. The biological needs like food, shelter, rest and pleasure can easily be satisfied with external bodies. Besides that his cultural and social needs are to be satisfied. Man doesn't live on bread alone. He wants something more to be called a man-civilised, cultured and socialised. Hence, there is a necessity of education for the human beings. 

      Aristotle aptly remarks, “Educated men are as much superior to uneducated as living are to dead. ” Education is more respected than wealth even by the kings. According to a Sanskrit hymn, “An uneducated man is not more than a mere animal." This is a clear indication of the importance of education even in the past. Diogenes says, “Education is a controlling grace to the young, consolation to the old, wealth to the poor and amusement to the rich." It shows the path to happiness, sustains us in the misery and pains. It is ornament in the company of friends, it is an armour against the enemies. Goethe says, “Education is a social process." It socializes man for group life and democratic life. Dewey says that education is a dynamic force as dynamic as life itself. Thus, education and human life are inseparable. 

Meaning:- 

Etymologically, the term ‘education' is believed to have been derived from different Latin word such as:-

(I) Educare - to bring up, to raise, to          nourish, to train, to mould

(II) Educatum - the act of teaching or       instruction

(III) Educere - to lead, to draw out, to          bring forth

(IV) E+duco - ‘E’ means ‘out of’ and            ‘duco’ means ‘to lead’, i.e.                       movement from inward to                     outward for development or                 progress

To sum up, education is a means not only for the acquisition of information, knowledge and experiences but also for the development of skills, right habits, positive attitude, etc. The child should be trained through his various experiences of life to draw out the best in him.