The document discusses the role and functions of the state in education. It argues that while education was historically handled by private agencies, the modern welfare state requires the state to take primary responsibility for education. The key functions of the state in education include establishing schools at all levels, making primary education compulsory and free, prescribing educational goals and curriculum, providing funding and qualified teachers, maintaining standards, and conducting research to improve the system. The overall aim is for the state to ensure citizens receive an education that meets both individual and societal needs.

1. Government/Stateas an Agency of
Education.
State
 A state is the largest political group organized to rule the people.
 The individuals are looked upon as the cells of the bodyof the state.
 The compulsory functions of the state are defense, maintenance of law
and order, and protection of people.
 Education comes under its special services.
Role of State in Education
 Now a days education has become the concern of voluntary
agencies like trusts, societies and associations.
 But Plato in his Republic suggested a state supported system of
education.
 In India, education was for a long time, in the hands of private
agencies.
 In the wake of concepts of secularism and welfare state,
education has become the responsibility of the state.
 Investment in education is the concern of the state. This is
because welfare of the state and the future of the citizens is
considered to depend upon the quality of education.
 Since education is an essentially social function, the state cannot
be indifferent to it.

2. Educational Functions of the State.
 The state must take into account the educational needs of the
people and establish schools for different levels such as primary,
secondary and higher secondary to meet the requirements.
 The State must take education Compulsory, free and universal at
least at the primary stage.
 The state must provide enough funds for education (in the form
of scholarships for financially deprived groups).
 The state must prescribe aims and goals of education. As private
agencies may have vested interests, this responsibility cannot be
assigned to them.
 The state must prescribe curriculum and textbooks for various
levels of education with the help of educationists.
 The state must take up the control of education and guidance of
individual institutions. It must make adequate arrangement for
direction and supervision.
 The state must take up the responsibility of providing qualified
and trained teachers. It must organize pre-service and in-service
training programmes for teachers, administrators and research
workers.
 The state must maintain educational standards. It must prescribe
a minimum standard on the basis of which examinations should
be conducted at all levels.
 The state must train young men and women in citizenship.

3.  The state must conduct research work with a view to solving
problems in the field of education. It must encourage
educational research and experimentation.
 Education in a welfare state must meet the needs of
individualism and collectivism.
The state is expected to aim at the welfare of the citizens and
hence it becomes the duty of the state to make provisions for the best
possible kind of education.