Education is a social institution that provides members of society with important knowledge, skills, and cultural norms and values. In the Philippines, education is managed by the Department of Education and has evolved over time from a focus on religion during Spanish colonization to spreading democracy under American rule to the current K-12 curriculum. There are three main types of education: formal education through the structured school system, non-formal education outside of schools, and informal lifelong learning from daily experiences. Education aims to produce productive citizens and allow for self-actualization, while its importance includes helping to create a better society, serving as the backbone, and encouraging innovation and creativity.

1. U N D E R S TA N D I N G C U LT U R E , S O C I E T Y, A N D P O L I T I C S
WEEK 8:
“Functions and Importance of
Education in the Society”
Competency:
* Examine the functions and importance of education in the society

2. EDUCATION
Education is the social institution through which
society provides its members with important
knowledge, including basic facts, job skills, and
cultural norms and values (Macionis, 2012).

3. EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
Education in the Philippines is managed and
regulated by the Department of Education,
commonly referred to as the DepEd.

4. EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
Spanish Period
- Religion was the core
curriculum, and the
schools were used to
spread Christianity.
- Education symbolized
“social standing and
prestige.”
- "Ilustrados"
American
Period
- Aim of education:
spread of self-governing
democracy
- The medium of
instruction was English.
Present Period
- ( New Curriculum )
Adaptation of the K to
12 programs

5. TYPES OF EDUCATION
Formal
Education
- This refers to the
hierarchically
structured,
chronologically graded
educational system
from primary school to
the university.
Non-Formal
Education
- t refers to any organized
educational activity
outside the established
formal system to
provide selected types
of learning to a segment
of the population.
Informal
Education
- It is a lifelong process
whereby every
individual acquires from
daily experiences,
attitudes, values, skills,
and knowledge from
resources in his or her
higher environment.

6. SPECIAL EDUCATION
It refers to the education of persons who are
physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, or
culturally different from so called “normal”
individuals, such that they require modification of
school practices to develop their potential.

7. FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATION
1. Productive Citizenry
- Education systems enable citizens to be productive members of a
society, as they are equipped with knowledge and skills that could contribute to
the development of their society’s systems and institutions.
2. Self-Actualization
- Education develops one’s sense of self. As a huge part of the discovery
process of oneself, education encourages having the vision to become self-
actualized.

9. IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION
Education helps creation of a better society
Education act as back bone of a society
Education encourages innovation and
creativity
Education can create better human being
Education gives ability to read and write
Understanding the responsibilities