A great American educationist, Dewey, commented that education is significant only when it aims at some vocation or employment. In the present age, some level of education is required for almost all jobs. As a result, extensive educational qualifications are important for good jobs that pay high salaries. Economic independence is essential in the present-day world; for this reason, parents are determined to educate their children so they can become economically independent. And there is no reason to deny this. In developing countries like India, technical and professional education is in great demand in their societies. If investments in education do not contribute to the country's economic advancement, such expenditure cannot be justified. Every young man is suffering for this bread. If his education does not prepare him for earning, there will be a question about such an education system. No educationist can ignore the vocational feature of education. In India, earning one’s livelihood is not just an economic requirement but a spiritual responsibility.
Advantages
It is clear from the above explanation that the vocational objective of education is an essential thing and has some advantages, such as
1. Solution of economic problems: India is today facing various problems, such as unemployment, poverty, famine, etc. Our economic problems are our greatest difficulties. On the other hand, many countries embrace the vocational aspect of education and are self-reliant and prosperous. They appreciate great respect and power in the world. Hence, technical and vocational training is of the greatest importance and can help solve the economic problems of any country.
2. Dynamism: It is the main activity that applies to the vocational goal of education. Dewey has commented that education imparted in his way makes use of the child’s tendencies and habits, pays attention to their interests, and awakens their minds. It examines the mind, stimulates intelligence, and ends tiredness and inactivity.
3. Moral, intellectual, and cultural development: As far as the vocational aspect of education is concerned, it is connected with earning money. As a result, one can expect a high level of morality, intellect, and culture from an educated scholar. If the educated individual fails to win economic independence, he tends to be immoral in his behavior, degenerate in his intellectuality, and indifferent to the arts and sciences.
Limitations
Because of these advantages of vocational objectives, most educationists in India are in favor of them. Efforts are underway to expand facilities for technical and professional education in the country. Though Mahatma Gandhi suggested that the aim of education is to make the individual financially independent. But if earning one’s bread is considered the sole aim of education, it leads to many difficulties. The major ones are the following:
1. Absence of liberal education: Liberal education plays an important part in the individual’s development since it is responsible for their intelligence and cultural development.
2. One-sided attitude: Although vocational guidance and professional training are based on economic independence. Additionally, it cannot be ignored that education must be responsible for an individual’s character development, spiritual development, and personality development. If educational objectives focus solely on professional ability, it denotes a one-sided approach.
3. Materialism: If education has job-related ability, it becomes materialistic, at the cost of religious, moral, and intellectual values. Materialism also leads to an increase in self-interest, violence, and cut-throat competition, which are detrimental to society and individuals alike.
It is clear from the foregoing discussion that the vocational objective of education is important. This type of education's sole aim is considered earning.
References: Sociology of Education by S.S. Chandra & R. K. Sharma
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