Role in society


Highly specialized professionals, such as medical researchers, often undergo
extensive education to master their fields and make significant contributions to
society.
Education serves various roles in society, spanning social, economic, and personal
domains. Socially, education establishes and maintains a stable society by
imparting fundamental skills necessary for interacting with the environment and
fulfilling individual needs and aspirations. In contemporary society, these skills
encompass speaking, reading, writing, arithmetic, and proficiency in information
and communications technology. Additionally, education facilitates socialization by
instilling awareness of dominant social and cultural norms, shaping appropriate
behavior across diverse contexts. It fosters social cohesion, stability, and peace,
fostering productive engagement in daily activities. While socialization occurs
throughout life, early childhood education holds particular significance. Moreover,
education plays a pivotal role in democracies by enhancing civic participation
through voting and organizing, while also promoting equal opportunities for all.
[74]
On an economic level, individuals become productive members of society through
education, acquiring the technical and analytical skills necessary for their
professions, as well as for producing goods and providing services to others. In
early societies, there was minimal specialization, with children typically learning
a broad range of skills essential for community functioning. However, modern
societies are increasingly complex, with many professions requiring specialized
training alongside general education. Consequently, only a relatively small number
of individuals master certain professions. Additionally, skills and tendencies
acquired for societal functioning may sometimes conflict, with their value
dependent on context. For instance, fostering curiosity and questioning established
teachings promotes critical thinking and innovation, while at times, obedience to
authority is necessary to maintain social stability.[75]
By facilitating individuals' integration into society, education fosters economic
growth and diminishes poverty. It enables workers to enhance their skills, thereby
improving the quality of goods and services produced, which ultimately fosters
prosperity and enhances competitiveness.[76] Public education is widely regarded as
a long-term investment that benefits society as a whole, with primary education
showing particularly high rates of return.[77] Additionally, besides bolstering
economic prosperity, education contributes to technological and scientific
advancements, reduces unemployment, and promotes social equity.[78] Moreover,
increased education is associated with lower birth rates, partly due to heightened
awareness of family planning, expanded opportunities for women, and delayed
marriage.[79]
Education plays a pivotal role in equipping a country to adapt to changes and
effectively confront new challenges. It raises awareness and contributes to
addressing contemporary global issues, including climate change, sustainability,
and the widening disparities between the rich and the poor.[80] By instilling in
students an understanding of how their lives and actions impact others, education
can inspire individuals to strive towards realizing a more sustainable and
equitable world.[81] Thus, education not only serves to maintain societal norms but
also acts as a catalyst for social development.[82] This extends to evolving
economic circumstances, where technological advancements, notably increased
automation, impose new demands on the workforce that education can help meet.[83]
As circumstances evolve, skills and knowledge taught may become outdated,
necessitating curriculum adjustments to include subjects like digital literacy, and
promote proficiency in handling new technologies.[84] Moreover, education can
embrace innovative forms such as massive open online courses to prepare individuals
for emerging challenges and opportunities.[85]
On a more individual level, education fosters personal development, encompassing
learning new skills, honing talents, nurturing creativity, enhancing self-
knowledge, and refining problem-solving and decision-making abilities.[86]
Moreover, education contributes positively to health and well-being. Educated
individuals are often better informed about health issues and adjust their behavior
accordingly, benefit from stronger social support networks and coping strategies,
and enjoy higher incomes, granting them access to superior healthcare services.[87]
The social significance of education is underscored by the annual International Day
of Education on January 24, established by the United Nations, which designated
1970 as the International Education Year.[88]
Role of institutions

Governmental institutions such as the Chinese Ministry of Education influence
numerous aspects of public education.
Organized institutions play a pivotal role in multiple facets of education.
Entities such as schools, universities, teacher training institutions, and
ministries of education comprise the education sector. They interact not only with
one another but also with various stakeholders, including parents, local
communities, religious groups, non-governmental organizations, healthcare
professionals, law enforcement agencies, media platforms, and political leaders.
Numerous individuals are directly engaged in the education sector, such as
students, teachers, school principals, as well as school nurses and curriculum
developers.[89]
Various aspects of formal education are regulated by the policies of governmental
institutions. These policies determine at what age children need to attend school
and at what times classes are held, as well as issues pertaining to the school
environment, such as infrastructure. Regulations also cover the exact
qualifications and requirements that teachers need to fulfill. An important aspect
of education policy concerns the curriculum used for teaching at schools, colleges,
and universities. A curriculum is a plan of instruction or a program of learning
that guides students to achieve their educational goals. The topics are usually
selected based on their importance and depend on the type of school. The goals of
public school curricula are usually to offer a comprehensive and well-rounded
education, while vocational training focuses more on specific practical skills
within a field. The curricula also cover various aspects besides the topic to be
discussed, such as the teaching method, the objectives to be reached, and the
standards for assessing progress. By determining the curricula, governmental
institutions have a strong impact on what knowledge and skills are transmitted to
the students.[90] Examples of governmental institutions include the Ministry of
Education in India,[91] the Department of Basic Education in South Africa,[92] and
the Secretariat of Public Education in Mexico.[93]

International organizations, such as UNESCO, have wielded significant influence in
shaping educational standards and policies worldwide.
International organizations also play a pivotal role in education. For example,
UNESCO is an intergovernmental organization that promotes education through various
means. One of its activities is advocating for education policies, such as the
treaty Convention on the Rights of the Child, which declares education as a
fundamental human right for all children and young people. The Education for All
initiative aimed to provide basic education to all children, adolescents, and
adults by 2015, later succeeded by the Sustainable Development Goals initiative,
particularly goal 4.[94] Related policies include the Convention against
Discrimination in Education and the Futures of Education initiative.[95]
Some influential organizations are non-governmental rather than intergovernmental.
For instance, the International Association of Universities promotes collaboration
and knowledge exchange among colleges and universities worldwide, while the
International Baccalaureate offers international diploma programs.[96] Institutions
like the Erasmus Programme facilitate student exchanges between countries,[97]
while initiatives such as the Fulbright Program provide similar services for
teachers.[98]
Factors of educational success
Educational success, also referred to as student and academic achievement, pertains
to the extent to which educational objectives are met, such as the acquisition of
knowledge and skills by students. For practical purposes, it is often primarily
measured in terms of official exam scores, but numerous additional indicators
exist, including attendance rates, graduation rates, dropout rates, student
attitudes, and post-school indicators such as later income and incarceration rates.
[99] Several factors influence educational achievement, such as psychological
factors related to the individual student, and sociological factors associated with
the student's social environment. Additional factors encompass access to
educational technology, teacher quality, and parental involvement. Many of these
factors overlap and mutually influence each other.[100]
Psychological
On a psychological level, relevant factors include motivation, intelligence, and
personality.[101] Motivation is the internal force propelling people to engage in
learning.[102] Motivated students are more likely to interact with the content to
be learned by participating in classroom activities like discussions, resulting in
a deeper understanding of the subject. Motivation can also help students overcome
difficulties and setbacks. An important distinction lies between intrinsic and
extrinsic motivation. Intrinsically motivated students are driven by an interest in
the subject and the learning experience itself. Extrinsically motivated students
seek external rewards such as good grades and recognition from peers. Intrinsic
motivation tends to be more beneficial, leading to increased creativity,
engagement, and long-term commitment.[103] Educational psychologists aim to
discover methods to increase motivation, such as encouraging healthy competition
among students while maintaining a balance of positive and negative feedback
through praise and constructive criticism.[104]
Intelligence significantly influences individuals' responses to education. It is a
cognitive trait associated with the capacity to learn from experience, comprehend,
and apply knowledge and skills to solve problems. Individuals with higher scores in
intelligence metrics typically perform better academically and pursue higher levels
of education.[105] Intelligence is often closely associated with the concept of IQ,
a standardized numerical measure assessing intelligence based on mathematical-
logical and verbal abilities. However, it has been argued that intelligence
encompasses various types beyond IQ. Psychologist Howard Gardner posited distinct
forms of intelligence in domains such as mathematics, logic, spatial cognition,
language, and music. Additional types of intelligence influence interpersonal and
intrapersonal interactions. These intelligences are largely autonomous, meaning
that an individual may excel in one type while performing less well in another.
[106]
A closely related factor concerns learning styles, which denote preferred methods
of acquiring knowledge and skills. According to proponents of learning style
theory, students with an auditory learning style find it easy to comprehend spoken
lectures and discussions, while visual learners benefit from information presented
visually, such as in diagrams and videos. To facilitate efficient learning, it may
be advantageous to incorporate a wide variety of learning modalities.[107] The
learner's personality may also influence educational achievement. For instance,
characteristics such as conscientiousness and openness to experience, identified in
the Big Five personality traits, are associated with academic success.[108] Other
mental factors include self-efficacy, self-esteem, and metacognitive abilities.
[109]
Sociological
Sociological factors center not on the psychological attributes of learners but on
their environment and societal position. These factors encompass socioeconomic
status, ethnicity, cultural background, and gender, drawing significant interest
from researchers due to their association with inequality and discrimination.
Consequently, they play a pivotal role in policy-making endeavors aimed at
mitigating their impact.[110]
Socioeconomic status is influenced by factors beyond just income, including
financial security, social status, social class, and various attributes related to
quality of life. Low socioeconomic status impacts educational success in several
ways. It correlates with slower cognitive development in language and memory, as
well as higher dropout rates. Families with limited financial means may struggle to
meet their children's basic nutritional needs, hindering their development.
Additionally, they may lack resources to invest in educational materials such as
stimulating toys, books, and computers. Financial constraints may also prevent
attendance at prestigious schools, leading to enrollment in institutions located in
economically disadvantaged areas. Such schools often face challenges such as
teacher shortages and inadequate educational materials and facilities like
libraries, resulting in lower teaching standards. Moreover, parents may be unable
to afford private lessons for children falling behind academically. In some cases,
students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are compelled to drop out of
school to contribute to family income. Limited access to information about higher
education and challenges in securing and repaying student loans further exacerbate
the situation. Low socioeconomic status is also associated with poorer physical and
mental health, contributing to a cycle of social inequality that persists across
generations.[111]
Ethnic background correlates with cultural distinctions and language barriers,
which can pose challenges for students in adapting to the school environment and
comprehending classes. Moreover, explicit and implicit biases and discrimination
against ethnic minorities further compound these difficulties. Such biases can
impact students' self-esteem, motivation, and access to educational opportunities.
For instance, teachers may harbor stereotypical perceptions, albeit not overtly
racist, leading to differential grading of comparable performances based on a
child's ethnicity.[112]
Historically, gender has played a pivotal role in education as societal norms
dictated distinct roles for men and women. Education traditionally favored men, who
were tasked with providing for the family, while women were expected to manage
households and care for children, often limiting their access to education.
Although these disparities have improved in many modern societies, gender
differences persist in education. This includes biases and stereotypes related to
gender roles in various academic domains, notably in fields such as science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which are often portrayed as male-
dominated. Such perceptions can deter female students from pursuing these subjects.
[113] In various instances, discrimination based on gender and social factors
occurs openly as part of official educational policies, such as the severe
restrictions imposed on female education by the Taliban in Afghanistan,[114] and
the school segregation of migrants and locals in urban China under the hukou
system.