UNIT III

Education and Social Development

EDUCATION AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - SOCIAL

MOBILITY, SOCIAL REFORMS AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Social development is equality of social opportunities”- Amartya Sen, 1995

Education has multiple aims, and the way in which education is provided – educational
governance, educational institutions, educators, curriculum, and pedagogy – all matter a great
deal.
Social development is about improving the well-being of every individual in society so
they can reach their full potential. The success of society is linked to the well-being of each
and every citizen. Social development means investing in people. This development influences
a child's self-confidence, empathy, the ability to develop meaningful and lasting friendships
and partnerships, and a sense of importance and value to those around him/her.
In India the term ‘Social development’ was first used in Indian Council of Social
Welfare in the year 1973.
Social development can be described as the process of increasing:
• The assets and capabilities of individuals to improve their wellbeing,
• The capacity of social groups to exercise agency, transform their relationships with
other groups, and participate in development processes,
• The ability of society to reconcile the interests of its constituent elements, govern
itself peacefully, and manage change.
Indicators of Social development
Some generally accepted major indicators of social Development are:
• Positive change in the levels of living
• Elimination of poverty
• Expansion of education
• Increasing in the level of employment
• Social justice- that is equal distribution of development fruits.
• Upliftment of weaker members of the society

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 • Well organized and reliable provisions for security against various contingencies of
life.
• Improvement of social welfare measures
• Reduction of regional and sectoral inequalities
• Protection and improvement of health.
• Increased popular participation in the developmental
• programmes.
• Improved mechanisms for environment protection
• Good governance
Characteristics

• Social welfare of all people is the ultimate goal of social development

• Social development is also productive as it adds positively to economic development
of society.
• Social development is universal in its outlook as its goal is to promote well-being of all
people and it is directed towards eliminating hindrances that prevent participation of all
people in the development process.
• Social development complements economic development
• Social development is not a simple process, given the fact that it aims to transform
various facets of society.

Objectives
• Equity and social justice
• Social inclusion
• Sustainable livelihoods
• Gender equity

Education and Social Development

• Education develops productive skills, and this is valuable for the individual, to advance
in the labor market and for society, to improve and maintain prosperity and compete in
a globalized economy.
• Education develops civic skills, and this is valuable for the individual, to allow for
meaningful participation in civil society and political life, and for society, to benefit
from an informed and engaged citizenship.

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 • Education develops human talents and interests, and this is valuable for the individual,
allowing for personal flourishing, and for society, since the expansion of knowledge
and human achievement are valuable for their own sake.
• Education can be a vehicle for equity and greater social inclusion, or when absent,
poorly delivered or unfairly distributed, a vehicle for injustice and greater social
exclusion.
• Education today is a prerequisite for development and also an effective means for both
taking knowledge-based decisions and improving democracy.
• Education improves and strengthens the developmental capacities of individuals,
communities, groups, institutions, and countries.

SOCIAL MOBILITY

It is a change in social status relative to one's current social location within a given
society. Social mobility refers to the shift in an individual's social status from one status to
another. The shift can either be higher, lower, inter-generational, or intra-generational, and it
cannot necessarily be determined if the change is for good or bad.
According to Mills, Social Mobility is the ability of the individuals or groups to move
upward or downward in status based on wealth, occupation, education, or some other social
variable.
Types of Social Mobility
Social mobility can take different forms, and people can experience different types of
mobility in different stages of their lives. The types of mobilities are independent of one another
and can often overlap.
1. Horizontal Mobility
This occurs when a person changes their occupation but their overall social standing
remains unchanged. It involves moving within the same status category. For example, if a
teacher leaves one college to take same position at another college for the convenience of
journey.
Sorokin describes horizontal mobility as a change in religious, territorial, political, or
other horizontal shifts with no change in the vertical position.
2. Vertical Mobility

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 This refers to a change in the occupational, political, or religious status of a person that
causes a change in their societal position. An individual moves from one social stratum to
another. Vertical mobility can be upward or downward.
a) Upward mobility
This is when a person moves from a lower position in society to a higher one. It can
also include people occupying higher positions in the same societal group.When a person
moves upward, they often need to leave behind familiar surroundings such as family and
places. They may also need to change their way of thinking and behavior. The individual will
need to adapt to the new environment as a result of their upward movement and adopt different
behaviors in the new society.
Eg: a Clerk in state service gets Civil Service position
b)Downward mobility
Downward mobility takes place when a person moves from a higher position in society
to a lower one. It can occur when someone is caught performing a wrongful act that can result
in the loss of the position they currently hold. Downward mobility can be extremely stressful
for people who face a rapid decline in their social status.
Dropping out of school, losing a job, or getting a divorce may result in a loss of income
or status and, therefore, downward social mobility.
3. Inter-generational mobility
Inter-generational mobility happens when the social position changes from one
generation to another. The change can be upward or downward. For example, a father worked
in a factory while his son received an education that allowed him to become a lawyer or a
doctor.
4. Intra-generational mobility
The intra-generational change in societal position occurs during the lifespan of a single
generation. It can also refer to a change in position between siblings. One way is when a person
climbs up the corporate ladder in their career. For example, an individual starts their career as
a clerk and through their life moves on to a senior position such as a director. One sibling may
also achieve a higher position in society than their brother or sister.
The following factors facilitate Social Mobility:
• Motivation: Each individual has a desire not only to have a better way of living but
also wants to improve upon his social stand. In open system it is possible to achieve
any status. This openness motivates people to work hard and improve upon the skills
so that one can attain higher social status.

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 • Achievements and Failures: Achievement here refers to extra ordinary, usually
unexpected performance, which attracts the attention of a wider public to the abilities
of a person. Not all achievements will result in social mobility. Achievements affect
status only if they are remarkable. For example, a poor man who has acquired wealth
or an unknown writer who has won a literary prize will improve his status.
Failures and misdeeds have a similar effect on downward mobility.
• Education: Education not only helps an individual to acquire knowledge but is also a
passport for occupational position for higher prestige. It is only after acquiring
minimum formal education that individual can aspire to occupy higher positions.
• Skills and Training: When people complete their training, they are entitled to high
positions, which are far better than those positions which they might have taken without
such training. Society not only assigns higher social status but also gives higher
economic rewards and other privileges to those persons who have these training. In
other words, skills and training facilitate in improvement of the position, this leading to
social mobility.
• Migration: Migration also facilitates social mobility. People migrate from one place to
another. A particular place may not have opportunities and facilities to improve upon.
Hence, people are forced to migrate to other places to earn their livelihood. At new
places, where they migrate, may have different openings and opportunities.
• Industrialization: In the industrial society, the statuses are achieved, whereas in the
traditional society like India, the statuses are ascribed according to birth. Hence
industrialization facilitates greater social mobility.
• Modernization: The process of modernization involves use of scientific knowledge
and modern technology. With the improvement in technology, people engaged in
occupations of low prestige like scavengers discard their traditional occupations and
take up occupations which are not dirty and have no polluting effects. In this way, they
change their position upward.
EDUCATION AND SOCIAL MOBILTY
Education can provide individuals with the knowledge, skills, and credentials necessary
to pursue better-paying jobs and higher levels of education, which can lead to improved social
and economic outcomes. Some ways in which education can contribute to social mobility are:

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 • Providing access to better job opportunities: Education can provide individuals with
the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue higher-paying jobs and careers that offer
greater opportunities for advancement.
• Increasing earning potential: Education can lead to higher earning potential, which
can help individuals move up the economic ladder and improve their standard of living.
• Improving social status: Education can improve an individual's social status and
prestige, which can provide greater access to social networks, resources, and
opportunities.
• Promoting upward mobility across generations: Education can also promote upward
mobility across generations by providing individuals with the knowledge and skills
necessary to support their children's education and career aspirations.

SOCIAL REFORMATION

Social reformation involves making incremental changes to existing systems and

structures to address specific social problems or issues. It involves working within the existing
social and political frameworks to bring about change, often through policy reforms or changes
to laws and regulations. Social reformation may involve addressing specific social issues such
as poverty, inequality, or discrimination, but it does not necessarily aim to fundamentally
transform society or its underlying structures.
A reform movement is a kind of social movement that aims to make gradual change ,
or change in certain aspects of society, rather than rapid or fundamental changes. Social reform
also means that a group of people with a common ideology who try together to achieve certain
general goals such as Bringing down crime rate, Bringing down poverty, Increasing
employment opportunities, Increasing the over all economical and financial standard, etc.
For example, social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Jyotirao Phule worked to
eliminate caste discrimination and promote education for women in the 19th century.

Notable national social reformers

• Swami Vivekananda

• Rabindranath Tagore
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Baba Amte
• Gopal Hari Deshmukh

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 • Narayana Guru
• BR Ambedkar
• Dayananda Saraswati
• Subhash Chandra Bose

Notable social reformers in Kerala

• Mannath Padmanabhan.

• Narayana Guru.

• Chattampi Swamikal.

• Ayyankali.

• Sahodaran Ayyappan.

• Dr. Padmanabhan Palpu.

• Kumaran Asan.

• Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan.

SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

Social transformation involves more radical and comprehensive changes to society's

structures, institutions, and values. It seeks to fundamentally transform the way society
functions, often through the creation of new systems and structures that prioritize social justice,
equity, and sustainability. Social transformation may involve addressing multiple social issues
simultaneously, such as economic inequality, environmental degradation, and social exclusion.
Social transformation is a somewhat ambiguous term that has two broad areas . The
first occurs with the individual, the second with the social system.

i. It is the process by which an individual alters the socially ascribed social status (born
into a status) of their parents into socially achieved status ( acquired based on merit,
skills, abilities, etc) for themselves.
ii. Large scale social change as in cultural reforms or transformations (societal
transformation). It leads to large scale social change.

India's independence from British colonial rule in 1947 was a social transformation that
led to the establishment of a democratic political system, as well as major economic and social
reforms. The Green Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s was another social transformation that

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significantly increased food production and reduced poverty in rural areas. The Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) launched in 2014 is a social transformation effort aimed at
improving sanitation and hygiene practices in the country.

Social Reformation V/S Social transformation

While social reformation seeks to improve existing social systems, social
transformation seeks to fundamentally change them. Social transformation often requires a
broader vision and a more radical approach than social reformation, and it may involve
challenging existing power structures and creating new ones. Social reformation involves
making incremental changes to address specific social issues within existing systems, while
social transformation seeks to fundamentally transform society's structures, institutions, and
values to create a more just and equitable society.

EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Education is a crucial factor in promoting economic development as it helps individuals

acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the workforce and become productive
members of society. At the same time, economic development provides resources and
opportunities that can enable individuals to access quality education.
Economic Development is the positive changes and advancements in various economic
indicators and factors that contribute to the overall prosperity of the economy. It helps in the
development of human capital, productivity, creativity, poverty reduction, encourages
entrepreneurship, technological advancements, women empowerment, social development,
health awareness, and other areas where economic development can be boosted.
Aspects:
• Growth in GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
• Job Creation: Generating employment opportunities.
• Infrastructure Improvement: Investments in transportation, communication, energy,
etc.
• Investment in Education: Developing a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.
• Healthcare Advancements
• Technological Advancements
• Poverty Reduction

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 • Sustainable Development: Growth without compromising the ability of future
generations.
• Global Trade and Integration: Engaging in international trade and economic
integration.
• Social and Institutional Development: Strengthening governance, rule of law, and
social cohesion.
• Inclusive Growth: Ensuring equitable distribution of benefits, reducing income
inequality.
Economic Aspects of Education
• Education as economic ‘good’: Material good (Physical and Tangible) and non
material good (service rendered that satisfies human wants) are two types of economic
good. Education is a non material economic good.
• Education as Producers and Consumers Good: Producer’s good is a good used in
the process of producing other goods. Consumer’s good is a good used by a consumer
to satisfy his wants. Education is both producer’s good and Consumer’s good
• Education as Industry: Education is indeed a growth industry which provides
employment and services needed by the total economy as any other industry contributes
to the gross national product of the country.
• Education as Human Capital: Human capital is a perspective that sees education as
an investment in individuals, equipping them with skills, knowledge, and capabilities
that contribute to their economic productivity and overall well-being.
Relation between Education and Economic Development
• Education raises the manpower needed by the economy
• There is a certain cost to run and benefit from the education service (training cost).
• Education has a relationship with productivity.
• Education is often seen as a key driver of economic growth because it increases
productivity, innovation, and technological advancements.
• Education helps to create a skilled workforce, which is essential for the growth of
industries and businesses.
• Economic development can help to improve access to education by providing resources
for educational institutions, such as funding for schools, scholarships, and other
educational programs.

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 • Economic development also promotes infrastructure development, including the
construction of schools and educational facilities, which can increase access to
education in underserved communities.
• Education enhances people’s access to current and scientific concepts.
• It improves people’s efficiency and capacity to absorb new technologies.
• It raises knowledge of potential possibilities and labor mobility.
• Education helps people obtain information, skills, and attitudes that will allow them to
grasp societal changes and scientific advances.
• Education investment is one of the primary sources of human capital that enables
inventions and discoveries.
• A country’s ability to adopt sophisticated technologies is aided by a well-educated labor
population.
Ways for bringing about economic development:
• Training and developing skills required for efficient and more production.
• Training for vocations (career education or technical education).
• Inculcating values, beliefs and modes of behaviour required for fulfilling one’s role in
the country’s development.
• Application of knowledge.

EDUCATION AS AN INVESTMENT

Saving money means storing it safely so that it is available when we need it and it has
a low risk of losing value. Investment comes with risk, but also the potential for higher returns.
Investment is the act of allocating resources, such as money, time, or effort, with the
expectation of generating a return or profit in the future. In the context of education, investment
can refer to the allocation of resources towards educational programs, institutions, and
individuals with the expectation of generating long-term benefits.
Investing in education can take many forms, such as funding for schools and
universities, scholarships and grants for students, teacher training and development programs,
and educational research and innovation.
Education is an investment in human capital, which can yield significant economic and
social returns. The term human capital refers to the economic value of a worker's experience
and skills. The concept of human capital recognizes that not all labor is equal. But employers
can improve the quality of that capital by investing in employees. This can be done through

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the education, experience, and abilities of employees. Human capital formation is important
because the productive capacity of a country depends not only on its endowment of industrial
plants, machine tools and natural resources, but also on the level and types of education and
training embodied in its labour force.
Some reasons why education is considered an investment:
• It is an investment in Human Capital
o Human capital is said to include qualities like an employee's experience and
skills
o Like any other asset, human capital has the ability to depreciate through long
periods of unemployment, and the inability to keep up with technology and
innovation.
• Improved earnings potential: Education can lead to higher earnings potential and
better job opportunities. Individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to
be employed and earn higher salaries than those with lower levels of education. This
can lead to increased economic prosperity for individuals and their families.
• Improved health and wellbeing: Education is also associated with improved health
and wellbeing. Educated individuals are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors,
have better access to healthcare, and live longer than those with lower levels of
education.
• Increased innovation and creativity: Education can foster innovation and creativity,
leading to new ideas, products, and services that can drive economic growth and
development. Educated individuals are more likely to be entrepreneurial and start their
own businesses, creating new job opportunities and economic value.
• Social and cultural benefits: Education can also contribute to social and cultural
development by promoting diversity, tolerance, and understanding. Education can help
individuals develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and a sense of social
responsibility, leading to a more cohesive and equitable society.
• Removes Poverty
• Produces skilled labour
• Creates right attitude to work
In summary, education is an investment in human capital that can lead to improved
economic, social, and cultural outcomes. Investing in education can yield significant long-term
returns and contribute to the growth and development of individuals, communities, and nations

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 EDUCATION FOR NATION BUILDING

Nation-building involves building strong political, social, economic, and cultural

institutions that can support the development and growth of a nation. It involves building
strong political, social, economic, and cultural institutions that can support the development
and growth of the nation.
Here are some key components of nation-building:
• Developing strong political institutions: Nation-building requires the development of
strong political institutions that can effectively govern and represent the interests of the
people. This includes establishing a transparent and accountable government,
promoting democratic principles, and upholding the rule of law.
• Building a strong economy: A strong economy is essential for nation-building. It
provides the resources necessary to support social programs, infrastructure
development, and other initiatives that promote economic growth and prosperity.
• Promoting social cohesion and inclusion: Nation-building also requires promoting
social cohesion and inclusion by addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and
discrimination. This includes promoting education, healthcare, and social programs that
support the well-being of all citizens.
• Building a strong cultural identity: A strong cultural identity is essential for nation-
building. This includes promoting cultural traditions, art, and language that are unique
to the nation and contribute to its identity and sense of unity.
• Engaging in international cooperation: Nation-building also involves engaging in
international cooperation to promote peace, security, and economic development. This
includes establishing diplomatic relations with other nations, participating in
international organizations, and contributing to global development initiatives.
Here are some ways education can contribute to nation-building:
• Developing a skilled and productive workforce: Education can help individuals
develop the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the workforce and become
productive members of society. A skilled and productive workforce is essential for
driving economic growth and development, creating job opportunities, and increasing
the overall prosperity of a nation.
• Fostering social cohesion and inclusion: Education can help promote social cohesion
and inclusion by providing individuals with a common set of values, knowledge, and

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 skills. Education can also promote diversity, tolerance, and understanding, leading to a
more cohesive and equitable society.
• Building a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship: Education can foster a
culture of innovation and entrepreneurship by providing individuals with the skills and
knowledge necessary to develop new ideas and start their own businesses. This can
create new job opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and contribute to the
development of new industries and technologies.
Promoting good governance and democracy: Education can also promote good governance and
democracy by fostering critical thinking skills and a sense of civic responsibility. Educated
individuals are more likely to participate in the democratic process, hold their leaders
accountable, and contribute to the development of a just and democratic society.

SOCIAL CHANGE

Social means concerning society and change means deviation from existing pattern.
Social change refers to the alteration, transformation, or evolution of social structures,
institutions, behaviors, and norms over time. Social change can occur in many different areas
of society, such as politics, economics, culture, technology, and the environment. It is the
alteration or modification in the case of the existing social order, social pattern, social
relationships and social interactions.
Sociologists define social change as changes in human interactions and relationships
that transform cultural and social institutions. These changes occur over time and often have
profound and long-term consequences for society.

Social change can occur at different levels, including

• Individual, Group, organizational, and societal levels.
• Intentional or unintentional
• National or International
• Gradual or sudden
o Revolutionary/ Rapid change: due to Pandemic, Flood, etc
o Evolutionary/ Slow Change: Due to religion, etc
• Positive or negative

There are many factors that can contribute to social change, including:

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 • Technological advancements: Technological advancements can create new
opportunities for social change, such as new forms of communication, transportation,
and production that can alter the way people interact and live.
• Economic changes: Changes in the economy, such as the rise of new industries, the
emergence of new markets, or changes in the global economy, can create new
opportunities for social change.
• Political factors: Political factors, such as changes in government policies or political
movements, can drive social change by altering the way power is distributed in society.
• Demographic changes: Changes in demographics, such as shifts in population size,
age, and composition, can drive social change by altering the social and cultural
landscape.
• Environmental factors: Environmental factors, such as climate change, natural
disasters, or ecological degradation, can drive social change by creating new challenges
and opportunities for sustainability and conservation.
• Cultural factors: Changes in cultural norms, values, and attitudes can drive social
change by altering the way people perceive and interact with each other.
• Scientific discoveries: Scientific discoveries can drive social change by creating new
knowledge and understanding of the world, leading to new technologies, medical
treatments, and other innovations.
• Globalization: Globalization can drive social change by connecting people and
cultures across borders, leading to the spread of new ideas, products, and practices.
• Education

AGENCIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE

• Family: Family can be an agency of social change by instilling values and beliefs in
their children that promote positive social change, such as respect for diversity,
empathy, and environmental stewardship.
• School: School can be agency of social change by educating students about social
issues and promoting values and behaviors that support positive social change. They
can also provide opportunities for students to engage in service-learning projects,
participate in social justice clubs, or attend conferences and workshops focused on
social change.

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 • Community: Community can be an agency of social change by organizing collective
action to address social issues, such as organizing protests or rallies, advocating for
policy change, or establishing community-based programs to address social problems.
• Science and Technology: Technology can be an agency of social change by facilitating
communication and the sharing of information, which can help to raise awareness about
social issues and mobilize action. Social media platforms, for example, have been used
to organize protests and campaigns for social change, as well as to raise awareness
about issues such as climate change and human rights violations.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs): These are organizations that are
independent of the government and work towards social change in areas such as human
rights, environmental protection, poverty reduction, and health care.
• Activist groups: These are groups of people who come together to campaign for a
particular cause, such as climate change, racial justice, gender equality, or LGBTQ+
rights.
• Media and journalism: These are important agents of social change that can bring
awareness to important issues, uncover corruption and wrongdoing, and influence
public opinion.
• Government: Government and its organizations work to bring about change through
legislation, policy-making, and regulation.

EDUCATION AS AN AGENT OF SOCIAL CHANGE

Education can be a powerful agent of social change, as it has the potential to transform
the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of individuals and societies.
• Knowledge dissemination on social issues: Education provides individuals with
knowledge about social issues and problems, helping them to understand the causes of
social inequality, injustice, and discrimination.
• Develops critical thinking skills: Education can also develop critical thinking skills,
which enable individuals to analyze and evaluate information, and to question
the existing state of affairs. Critical thinking skills can empower individuals to
challenge social norms and structures, and to advocate for social justice and equality.
• Promotes Individual Empowerment: Education can also empower individuals and
communities by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources to create
change in their own lives and communities.

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 • Increases cultural awareness: Education can promote cultural awareness and
understanding, helping individuals to appreciate diversity and to value different
perspectives and experiences. This can lead to greater tolerance and acceptance of
different cultures, and can help to reduce social conflict and discrimination.
• Social mobility: Education can provide individuals with the skills and knowledge
needed to succeed in the workforce, increasing their earning potential and improving
their social and economic status.
• Promotes capacity to accept social change
• Helps in Transmission of culture
• Maintains Human and Social Relation

REFERENCES

Pathak, S.(1987). Social Development. In Encyclopaedia of Social Work in India (vol 3, pp

53-63). New Delhi, India: Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of India.
United Nations, “Social Policy and Planning in National Development”,

International Social Development Review, No. 3, 1971, p. 15.

United Nations, Report of the Meeting of Experts on Social Policy and

Social Planning, International Social Development Review, No. 3, 1971, p. 4.

M.S. Gore, Some Aspects of Social Development, Department of Social Work, University of
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1973, p. 10.

United Nations, “Highlights of the Symposium on Social Policy and Planning”, International
Social Development Review, No. 3, 1971, p. 17.

J.F.K. Paiva, “A Conception of Social Development” Social Service Review, Vol.’51, No. 2,
1977, pp. 332-33.

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