LESSON 1: TOPIC ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE UNIT AND DEFINITION OF

TERMS

1.1 Introduction
You are welcome to this unit in History of Education, which covers part of the course in
Professional Education Studies for teacher trainees. History of Education is of fundamental
importance to a professional teacher. The study deals primarily with the past events and
developments in education. However, this should not be looked at in isolation. This is because the
past is closely linked to the present and the later influences the future. When you study the past,
you are able to understand the process of education and how it evolved up to the present. In this
way, the present not only becomes clear but also helps to illuminate the future. Note that the
education arena is a broad one, It encompasses philosophical, sociological, comparative,
administrative, curricular and other issues. Each of these may have a historical dimension or
perspective.
As you will notice right away, the title of our course, history of education is made up of two terms;
To understand the meaning of History of education, you need to know the key words, History and
Education. History and Education. It is important to define these two terms separately before
combining them.

1.2 Lesson learning outcomes

By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to
1.2.1 Define history
1.2.2 Define history of education
1.2.3 Explain the scope of history of education
1.2.4 Explain the reasons for studying history of education to a student teacher

1.2.1 Definition of History

Perhaps you are aware that History is a study of past events and developments some of which may
have occurred many years of ago or might have taken place in the recent times. Historians as have
defined history as the record of all past human experience, showing how groups of people are and
how they came to be. It is concerned with political, social, economic, scientific and technological
factors and events, which have shaped the growth and development of mankind. History is the
record of all past human experience.

History shows how a group of people are, where it came from, and how it came to be what it is
today. History deals with; social, economic, political, scientific, and technological events that have
shaped and given rise to humanity. History is an evaluation of what human beings have gone
through in retrospect, what they have come to be today, and what they propose to be in future. The
study focuses on the challenges, problems, aspirations, successes, and failures of human beings.

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Definition of education
Education has been defined by some educationists as the total process by which human abilities
and behaviour is developed; or the organized and continuous instruction aimed at imparting
knowledge, skills, attitudes and understanding necessary for full participation in life. Education is
also seen as a social process through which a member of a society achieves individual growth and
development and social competence, carried out in selected and well-defined institutional settings.
Education can be defined as a process of teaching and learning. Note that the education arena is a
broad one. It encompasses philosophical, sociological, comparative, administrative, curricular and
other issues.

1.2.2 Definition of History of education

From the foregoing, history of Education could be defined as the study of the past development of
educational systems, theories, practices and institutions within the general historical framework of
political, social, economic, scientific, technological and cultural changes that different societies
have gone through over time. History of education is therefore a study of the past that focuses on
educational issues. These include education systems, institutions, theories, themes and other
related phenomena.

We have noted that the study deals primarily with the past events and developments in education.
However, this should not be looked at in isolation. This is because the past is closely linked to the
present and the later influences the future.

History of Education is of fundamental importance to a professional teacher. When you study the
past, you are able to understand the process of education and how it evolved up to the present. In
this way, the present not only becomes clear but also helps to illuminate the future.
It is important to note that there are many definitions of the above terms. There is no single
definition of any one of them that is universally accepted by all. You can also come up with
definitions in your own words.

History of Education is a study of the past development of educational systems, theories and
institutions within the general historical context of social, economic, political, cultural, scientific
and technological change. Since education serves society, the teacher should understand the things
that make up that society. Education foundations will be based on the important things of this
society. The history of education theory and practice is a study of the present education
theories, institutions, policies and practices in the perspective of their historical evolution or
progress.

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1.2.3 Scope of History of education
History of Education, in this context, is therefore the study of :-
• Our past and present educational Institutions
• Educational theories
• Educational Policies and practices and their historical evolution.
• Substance and direction of current education systems
• Successes and failures of various education systems over the years
• The relation between education theory and practice.

1.2 4 Reasons for studying history of education to teacher trainees

Having defined what we mean by History of Education, let us now find out the importance of this
subject to teachers or teachers-to-be. History of Education is studied for the following reasons:

1. It enables educators examine in a historical context issues and problems that perplex us
today and have perplexed other educators in the past. This examination leads to better
understanding and hence possible solutions. The teacher can also use possible solutions in
the past to make work easier.
2. History of education helps teachers develop a personal point of view of education
e.g. helps the teacher answer some questions e.g. what should be the aims of education?
What are the guiding principles of curriculum development? What is the nature of
the learner? What is the nature of the mind? What is the nature of the education process?
What are the objectives of the various levels of instruction?
3. History of education helps study past successes and failures in succession (in a systematic,
logical historical manner). This provides opportunity for comparison and contrast in
evaluating the worth of conflicting educational theories and practice. This implies that
a. By knowing the past failures, we can reduce the possibilities of repeating them
b. By knowing tested education values, we can improve our own system.
4. History of education leads to better understanding of the relationship between theory and
practice. This will help the teacher in applying theoretical education ideas to practical
situations in the professions.
5. In history of education the teacher is acquainted with great teachers and educators
of the past e.g. Buddha, Plato, Quintilian, Aristotle, St. Augustine, Comenius, Rousseau,
Montessori etc. and this inspires them.
6. History of education strengthens the teacher’s personal and professional competence
by encouraging them to;
a. Examine, evaluate, accept or modify the cultural inheritance
b. Become an educational critic and agent responsible for cultural transmission and
change rather than blindly accepting the status quo or unchallenged claims.

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NB In this respect, teachers are helped to look critically at contemporary theories and
practices when they know the past. This in turn helps them plan for the future. It helps them connect
the past, the present and the future which in return enhances decision making and policy
formulation.
7. Examination of educational theories and practices in their historical context may
encourage teachers to take a critical look at contemporary theories and practices. It is
said that the past illuminates the present. It is also said that without history, one
might learn what a thing is but not where it came from, not why it is here, not what it
is for and not what it is going to become. History of education makes contemporary
issues alive. History of education helps one to make comparisons i.e. different ideas with
one group or one idea with different groups. This helps teachers in understanding
development of a popular theory or practice.
8. Understanding the context of historical events creates the spirit of realism. This
reduces possible frustration caused by ignorance of the limits set to human power by
particular context,( will show you what is possible and what is not_ that you are not aiming
at what is impossible).
9. Studying of history of education as a discipline develops the power of thinking. It
does this by exciting curiosity, developing enquiry, developing reasoning and
encouraging the art of self expression and communication. It also helps develop
critical and skeptical thinking because our knowledge of the past is based on written
documents. These must be looked at critically and skeptically bearing in mind that they
were written by ordinary human beings who had to choose what to and what not to write.
10. History of education is drawn upon by practically all other fields of study. All other
disciplines e.g. sciences and humanities depend on history to provide the raw record of
what happen in their areas. Students of history of education cannot fully understand
the discipline unless they get some acquaintance with other social science. Fields such as
sociology and psychology can be used in analyzing educational ideas. This means
therefore that history of education exposes people to other disciplines.

1.3 Assessment questions

i. What do you understand by the term history of education?
ii. Having read how others have defined history, education and history of education, try to
come up with a definition of each using your own words.
iii. In your own words, explain the importance of studying history of Education to a teacher
trainee
1.4 References
Bogonko, S.N & Sifuna, D.N (1986). A history of education in Kenya. Nairobi, Publishing and
Book Marketing co. Ltd.

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Lowe R. (2005). History of Education. Taylor & Francis, ISBN-13: 9780415140461

Murphy M. (2005). The History and Philosophy of Education: Voices of Educational

Pioneers, Pearson; ISBN-10: 013095550, ISBN-13: 978-0130955500