Education in the largest sense is any act or experience that has a formative effect on mind, character, or physical ability of an individual. In its technical sense, education is the process by which society intentionally transmits its accumulated knowledge, skills, and values from one generation to another. Education is derived from a Latin word called, educare, which means ‘bring up’. The word educare is related to a word educare, which means ‘bring out’ or “bring forth what is within”.
Teachers in educational institutions direct the education of students and might draw on many subjects that include reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history. This process is sometimes called schooling when referring to the education of teaching only a certain subject, usually as professors at institutions of higher learning. There is also education in field for those who want special vocational skills, such as those required to be a pilot. In addition, there is a collection of education possible at the informal level, such as museums and libraries, with the internet and in life experience. Many nontraditional educational options are now available and continue to evolve. One of the most considerable uses in education is the use of technology. Classrooms of the 21st century have interactive white boards, iPods, iPads; laptops etc. teachers are encouraged to implant these technological devices in the program of study in order to enhance students learning and meet the needs of various types of learners.
Education is a process by which people learn:
1. Instructions refers to facilitating of learning, be a tutor or teacher.
2. Teaching refers to the actions of an instructor to impart learning to the students.
3. Learning refers to those who are taught, with a view towards preparing them with specific knowledge, skills, abilities etc. that can be applied upon completion.
The system of education has following parts:
1. Preschool
2. Primary school
3. Secondary school
4. Higher school
5. Adult school
6. Alternative education
7. Indigenous education
Preschool education consists of 1-4 years of formal education. Primary education consists of the first 5- 7 years formal, structured education. In general, primary education consists of 6 to 8 years of schooling starting at the age of 5 or 6, although this varies between, and sometimes, within countries. Globally, around 89 % of primary age children are enrolled in primary education, and this proportion rising.
In most modern educational systems of the world, secondary education comprises the formal education that occurs during adolescence. It is characterized by transition from the typically compulsory, comprehensive primary education for minors, to the optional, selective tertiary, Post secondary, or higher education. Higher education, also called tertiary, third stage, or postsecondary education, is the non compulsory educational level that follows the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as high school, secondary school. Higher education is normally taken to include undergraduate and postgraduate as well as vocational education and training. Colleges and universities are the main institutions that provide tertiary education.
Adult education has become common in many countries. It takes on many forms, ranging from formal class based leaning to self-directed leaning and e-learning.