Western Mindanao State University

College of Teacher Education

Integrated Laboratory School
High School Department
City of Zamboanga

Name: Aming, Michaer S.

Grade and Section: 11-HUMSS Collado
PLEASE RETURN PAGES 1, 3, 13 and 14 ONLY!

Understanding
Society, Culture and
Politics

FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY! NOT FOR SALE

EDUCATION, RELIGION & BELIEF SYSTEM

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 Lesson 7

Introduction

Lesson 7 will present topics on education and its functions, productive citizenry, self-
actualization and primary education as a human right. It will also discuss religion and belief
systems, animism, polytheism, monotheism, institutionalized religions, and the concept of
separation of church and state.

Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Explain the role and importance of education to society;

2. Enumerate and explain the different religions and belief systems; and

3. Appreciate the importance of the concept of separation of church and state.

Topic Outline

1. Education
A. Functions of education in society (formal & non-formal)
B. Productive citizenry
C. Self-Actualization
D. Primary education as a human right

2. Religion & Belief Systems

A. Animism
B. Polytheism
C. Monotheism
D. Institutionalized Religions
E. Separation of Church and State

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 Try this!

Directions: On Table 1 list down at least three the differences between formal and non-formal
education.

On Table 2 list down at least three (3) religions that you know and write at least two
(2) to three (3) characteristics of the religion that you have listed.

Table 1
Formal Education Non-Formal Education
Boy Scouts
classroom instruction
Sport or fitness program
Seminars
Self-study
Webinars

Table 2
Religion Charateristics
1. Islamic 1. Only one God (Allah)
2. Beliefs in Prophet
3. We believe that Prophet Isa (Jesus) is a messenger of Allah
2. Christianity 1. The Day of Judgement and salvation of the faithful.
2. God as the creator.
3. The holiness of the Church and the communion of saints.
3. Hinduism 1. Rebirth
2. Temple is a residence of God
3. Freedom from the cycle of death

Questions:

1. What is education and why is it important?

Education is very important because it is the only asset we have, our knowledge. It gives us
more knowledge and to prefer us for the future. Without it, the world now would be filled with
people doing things they never knew was right and wrong. The human beings would have never
evolved and be like monkeys going with the flow of nature.

2. What is religion and why is it important?

Why is religion very crucial to us, because if there are no religion our ideology and beliefs would
no longer matter. It also helps us in creating ethical framework and regulator for values in day to
day life as well. Our religion acts as an agency of socialization. Thus, religion helps in building
values like love, respect, and empathy.

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 Think ahead!

Directions: Write the definition of the following terms:

1. Education

Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values,
beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include storytelling, discussion, teaching, training, and
directed research

2. Formal Education

Formal education is classroom-based, meaning everything a student learns comes books and
other educational materials with the sole purpose of educating students.

3. Non-Formal Education

Informal education means education which we get from outside the classrooms which cultivates
learning in us. It may be anywhere like in a church or even at home too.

4. Animism

Animism is the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence.
Potentially, animism perceives all things like animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather systems,
human handiwork, and perhaps even words as animated and alive.

5. Monotheism

Monotheism is the belief in one god. A narrower definition of monotheism is the belief in the
existence of only one god that created the world, is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, and
intervenes in the world.

6. Polytheism

Polytheism is the worship of or belief in multiple deities, which are usually assembled into a
pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with their own religions and rituals.

7. Atheism

Atheism is in the broadest sense an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly,
atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist. In an even narrower sense, atheism is
specifically the position that there are no deities.

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 Read and Ponder

Education is the social institution responsible for the systematic transmission of knowledge,
skills, and cultural values within a formally organized structure (Kendall, 2016).

It is a gradual process which brings positive changes in human life and behavior. It can also be
defined as “a process of acquiring knowledge through study or imparting the knowledge by way
of instructions or some other practical procedure” (Passion in Education - At the Heart of
Teaching, 2019).

The main thing that encourages us to distinguish between right and wrong because in the absence
of education, we can’t do what we need or we can’t achieve our goal (Passion in Education - At
the Heart of Teaching, 2019).

Functions of Education

1. Develop a Productive Citizenry. A student is politically socialized through a curriculum

designed by the state and implemented by schools (Santarita & Madrid, 2016). Citizens are
taught to develop positive outlooks toward concepts like liberty, democracy and to view the
government as an institution of authority (Magstadt, 2013) (Santarita & Madrid, 2016).

2. Promote Self-Actualization. The objective of teachers is to allow students to discover

personal meanings and develop their own perceptions about themselves and their environment
(Santarita & Madrid, 2016).

Manifest Functions of Education

1. Socialization. From kindergarten through college, schools teach students the student role,
specific academic subjects, and political socialization. In primary and secondary schools,
students are taught specific subject matter appropriate to their age, skill level, and previous

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educational experience. At the college level, students focus on more-detailed knowledge of
subjects that they
have previously studied while also being exposed to new areas of study and research (Kendall,
2016).

2. Transmission of Culture. Schools transmit cultural norms and values to each new generation
and play an active part in the process of assimilation, whereby recent immigrants learn dominant
cultural values, attitudes, and behavior so that they can be productive members of society
(Kendall, 2016).

3. Social Control. Schools are responsible for teaching values such as discipline, respect,
obedience, punctuality, and perseverance. Schools teach conformity by encouraging young
people to be good students, conscientious future workers, and law-abiding citizens (Kendall,
2016).

4. Social Placement. Schools are responsible for identifying the most qualified people to fill
available positions in society. As a result, students are channeled into programs based on
individual
ability and academic achievement. Graduates receive the appropriate credentials for entry into
the paid labor force (Kendall, 2016).

5. Change and Innovation. Schools are a source of change and innovation. As student
populations
change over time, new programs are introduced to meet societal needs; for example, sex
education, drug education, and multicultural studies have been implemented in some schools to
help students learn about pressing social issues. Innovation in the form of new knowledge is
required of colleges and universities. Faculty members are encouraged, and sometimes required,
to engage in research and to share the results with students, colleagues, and others (Kendall,
2016).

Latent Functions of Education

1. Restricting some Activities. Early in the twentieth century, all states passed mandatory
education laws that require children to attend school until they reach a specified age or until they
complete a minimum level of formal education. Out of these laws grew one latent function of
education, which is to keep students off the streets and out of the full-time job market for a
number of years, thus helping keep unemployment within reasonable bounds (Kendall, 2016).

2. Matchmaking and Production of Social Networks. Because schools bring together people
of similar ages, social class, and race/ethnicity, young people often meet future marriage partners
and develop social networks that may last for many years (Kendall, 2016).

3. Creating a Generation Gap. Students may learn information in school that contradicts
beliefs held by their parents or their religion. When education conflicts with parental attitudes
and beliefs, a generation gap is created if students embrace the newly acquired perspective
(Kendall, 2016).

Hidden Curriculum. The transmission of cultural values and attitudes, like conformity,
obedience to authority, through implied demands found in rules and routines and regulations of
schools (Kendall, 2016).

Types of Education

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1. Formal education or formal learning usually takes place in the premises of the school,
where a person may learn basic, academic, or trade skills. Small children often attend a nursery
or kindergarten but often formal education begins in elementary school and continues with
secondary school.

Post-secondary education (or higher education) is usually at a college or university which may
grant an academic degree. It is associated with a specific or stage and is provided under a certain
set of rules and regulations. 

The formal education is given by specially qualified teachers they are supposed to be efficient in
the art of instruction. It also observes strict discipline. The student and the teacher both are aware
of the facts and engage themselves in the process of education.

Examples of Formal Education

▪ Learning in a classroom
▪ School grading/certification, college,  and university degrees
▪ Planned education of different subjects having a proper syllabus acquired by attending
the institution.

Characteristics of formal education

▪ Formal education is structured hierarchically.

▪ It is planned and deliberate.
▪ Scheduled fees are paid regularly.
▪ It has a chronological grading system.
▪ It has a syllabus and subject-oriented. The syllabus has to be covered within a specific
time period.
▪ The child is taught by the teachers

Advantages of Formal education

▪ An organized educational model and up to date course contents.

▪ Students acquire knowledge from trained and professional teachers.
▪ Structured and systematic learning process.
▪ Intermediate and final assessments are ensured to advance students to the next learning
phase.
▪ Institutions are managerially and physically organized.
▪ Leads to a formally recognized certificate.
▪ Easy access to jobs.

Disadvantages of Formal education

        
▪ Sometimes, brilliant students are bored due to the long wait for the expiry of the
academic session to promote to the next stage
▪ Chance of bad habits’ adoption may be alarming due to the presence of both good and
bad students in the classroom
▪ Wastage of time as some lazy students may fail to learn properly in spite of motivation by
the professional trainers.
▪ Some unprofessional and non-standard education system may cause the wastage of time
and money of the students which leads to the disappointment from formal education and
argue them to go for non-formal education.
▪ Costly and rigid education as compare to other forms of learning

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2. Informal education may be a parent teaching a child how to prepare a meal or ride a bicycle.
People can also get an informal education by reading many books from a library or educational
websites.

Informal education is when you are not studying in a school and do not use any particular
learning method. In this type of education, conscious efforts are not involved. It is neither pre-
planned nor deliberate. It may be learned at some marketplace, hotel or at home.

Unlike formal education, informal education is not imparted by an institution such as school or

college. Informal education is not given according to any fixed timetable. There is no set
curriculum required. Informal education consists of experiences and actually living in the family
or community.

Examples of Informal Education

▪ Teaching the child some basics such as numeric characters.

▪ Someone learning his/her mother tongue
▪ A spontaneous type of learning, “if a person standing in a bank learns about opening and
maintaining the account at the bank from someone.”

Characteristics of Informal Education

▪ It is independent of boundary walls.

▪ It has no definite syllabus.
▪ It is not pre-planned and has no timetable.
▪ No fees are required as we get informal education through daily experience and by
learning new things.
▪ It is a lifelong process in a natural way.
▪ The certificates/degrees are not involved and one has no stress for learning the new
things.
▪ You can get from any source such as media, life experiences, friends, family etc.
Advantages of Informal Education

▪ More naturally learning process as you can learn at anywhere and at any time from your
daily experience.
▪ It involves activities like individual and personal research on a topic of interest for
themselves by utilizing books, libraries, social media, internet or getting assistance from
informal trainers.
▪ Utilizes a variety of techniques.
▪ No specific time span.
▪ Less costly and time-efficient learning process.
▪ No need to hire experts as most of the professionals may be willing to share their
precious knowledge with students/public through social media and the internet.
▪ Learners can be picked up the requisite information from books, TV, radio or
conversations with their friends/family members.

Disadvantages of Informal Education     

▪ Information acquired from the internet, social media, TV, radio or conversations with
friends/family members may lead to the disinformation.
▪ Utilized techniques may not be appropriate.
▪ No proper schedule/time span.
▪ Unpredictable results which simply the wastage of time.
▪ Lack of confidence in the learner.
▪ Absence of discipline, attitude and good habits.

3. Non-formal education includes adult basic education, adult literacy education or school

equivalency preparation.

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In non-formal education, someone (who is not in school) can learn literacy, other basic skills or
job skills.

Home education, individualized instruction (such as programmed learning), distance learning

and computer-assisted instruction are other possibilities. 

Non-formal education is imparted consciously and deliberately and systematically implemented.

It should be organized for a homogeneous group. Non-formal, education should be programmed
to serve the needs of the identified group. This will necessitate flexibility in the design of the
curriculum and the scheme of evaluation.

Examples of Non-formal Education

▪ Boy Scouts and Girls Guides develop some sports program such as swimming comes
under nonformal education.
▪ Fitness programs.
▪ Community-based adult education courses.
▪ Free courses for adult education developed by some organization.

Characteristics of Non-formal Education

▪ The nonformal education is planned and takes place apart from the school system.
▪ The timetable and syllabus can be adjustable.
▪ Unlike theoretical formal education, it is practical and vocational education.
▪ Nonformal education has no age limit.
▪ Fees or certificates may or may not be necessary.
▪ It may be full time or part-time learning and one can earn and learn together.
▪ It involves learning of professional skills.

Advantages of Non-formal Education

▪ Practiced and vocational training.

▪ Naturally growing minds that do not wait for the system to amend.
▪ Literacy with skillfulness growth in which self-learning is appreciated.
▪ Flexibility in age, curriculum and time.
▪ Open-ended educational system in which both the public and private sector are involved
in the process.
▪ No need to conduct regular exams.
▪ Diploma, certificates, and award are not essential to be awarded.

Disadvantages of Non-formal Education

▪ Attendance of participants is unsteady.

▪ Sometimes, it’s just wastage of time as there is no need to conduct the exam on regular
basis and no degree/diploma is awarded at the end of the training session.
▪ Basic reading and writing skills are crucial to learn.
▪ No professional and trained teachers.
▪ Students may not enjoy full confidence as the regular students enjoy.
▪ Some institutes provide fake certification through online courses just for the sake of
earning.

Education as a Basic Human Right

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The following topics have been copied from the UNESCO website
(https://en.unesco.org/news/what-you-need-know-about-right-education)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that education is a fundamental human right

for everyone. What exactly does that mean?

Why is education a fundamental human right?

The right to education is a human right and indispensable for the exercise of other human rights.

● Quality education aims to ensure the development of a fully-rounded human being.

● It is one of the most powerful tools in lifting socially excluded children and adults out of
poverty and into society. UNESCO data shows that if all adults completed secondary
education, globally the number of poor people could be reduced by more than half.
● It narrows the gender gap for girls and women. A UN study showed that each year of
schooling reduces the probability of infant mortality by 5 to 10 per cent.
● For this human right to work there must be equality of opportunity, universal access, and
enforceable and monitored quality standards.

What does the right to education entail?

● Primary education that is free, compulsory and universal

● Secondary education, including technical and vocational, that is generally available,
accessible to all and progressively free
● Higher education, accessible to all on the basis of individual capacity and progressively
free
● Fundamental education for individuals who have not completed education
● Professional training opportunities
● Equal quality of education through minimum standards
● Quality teaching and supplies for teachers
● Adequate fellowship system and material condition for teaching staff
● Freedom of choice

What is the current situation?

● 262 million primary and secondary age children and youth are out of school
● Less than 1 in 5 countries legally guarantee 12 years of free and compulsory education
● 1 child out of 11 does not go to primary school
● 1 adolescents out of 5 is left out of a secondary education
● More and 1 in 2 children of primary school age did not reach the minimum proficiency
level in reading quality standards

What are the major challenges to ensure the right to education?

● Providing free and compulsory education to all. Less than 1 in 5 countries legally
guarantee 12 years of free and compulsory education.

● Eliminating inequalities and disparities in education. In sub-Saharan African, for

example, only 65 of the poorest children for every 100 of the richest go to school.

● Migration and displacement. In 2016, 3.5 million school age refugees had 0 days of
school.

● Privatization and its impact on the right to education. States need to strike a balance
between educational freedom and ensuring everyone receives a quality education.

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 ● Financing of education. The Education 2030 Agenda requires States to allocate at least
4-6 per cent of GDP and/or at least 15-20 per cent of public expenditure to education.

● Quality imperatives and valuing the teaching profession. 200 million young people
leave school without the skills they need to thrive.

Education in the Philippines

In the Philippines, basic education is subsidized by the state through the Department of
Education (DepEd), which means that kinder, elementary, high school, and senior high school
education is free, if the student is enrolled in a DepEd school. The number of years in basic
education has also be increased from 10 to 12 years as mandated by Republic Act 10533 or the
Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. The additional two years was added in high school
which gave birth to Grades 11 and 12 or Senior High School.

For the tertiary/college level, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed into law Republic Act
10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Act mandating all State Universities and
Colleges (SUCs) not to collect any tuition fees from their students.

Religion

A social institution composed of a unified systems of beliefs, symbols and rituals, which is based
on some sacred or supernatural realm, that guides human behavior, gives meaning to life, and
unites believers into a community (Kendall, 2016).

It is an organized system of beliefs focused on the supernatural. It is practiced through rituals

that are meant to influence facets of the universe which, otherwise, people can do nothing about
(Haviland, Prins, Walrath, & McBride, 2016).

It is also perceived to be universal and assumes different forms and ways. Each religion
possesses a religious tradition that is passed from generation to the next. It becomes part of a
collective norm though is some ways it is also fashioned based on geographical and societal
contexts and the changing needs of the times (Santarita & Madrid, 2016).

Important Functions of Religion

1. Meaning and purpose. Religion offers meaning for the human experience. Some events
create
a profound sense of loss on both an individual basis (such as injustice, suffering, and the death of
a loved one) and a group basis (such as famine, earthquake, economic depression, or subjugation
by an enemy) (Kendall, 2016).

2. Social cohesion and a sense of belonging. Religious teachings and practices, by emphasizing
shared symbolism, help promote social cohesion.

3. Social control and support for the government. All societies attempt to maintain social
control through systems of rewards and punishments.

Four Main Categories of Religion

1. Simple Supernaturalism. Practiced in simple pre-industrial societies. The belief that

supernatural forces affect people’s lives either positively or negatively. This type of religion does
not acknowledge specific gods or supernatural spirits but focuses instead on impersonal forces
that may exist in people or natural objects (Kendall, 2016).

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2. Animism. The belief that plants, animals, or other elements of the natural world are endowed
with spirits or life forces having an effect on events in society. Animism is identified with early
hunting and gathering societies (Kendall, 2016).

3. Theism. The belief in a god or gods. Theism is further categorized into: A) Monotheism; and
B) Polytheism. The belief in one god or a single supreme being is monotheism while the belief in
many gods is polytheism. Three of the major world religions are monotheistic, namely Judaism,
Islam, and Christianity.

4. Transcendent Idealism. It is nontheistic because it does not focus on worship of a god or

gods. Transcendent idealism is a belief in sacred principles of thought and conduct. Principles
such as truth, justice, affirmation of life, and tolerance for others are central tenets of
transcendent idealists, who seek an elevated state of consciousness in which they can fulfill their
true potential.

Religion as a social institution has the following characteristics, namely: 1) Organized Religion
or Possessing a Religious Organization; and 2) Separation of Church and State.

1) Organized Religion or Possessing a Religious Organization. There are four (4) basic types
of religious organizations:

A) Ecclesia. Is a religious organization that claims the membership of everyone in

society or even in several societies (Santarita & Madrid, 2016);

B) Church/Denomination. It is two or more established, relatively tolerant religious

organizations that claim allegiance to a substantial part of the population
(Santarita & Madrid, 2016);

C) Sect. An exclusive and uncompromising religious organization; often, one that

has split off from a denomination due to doctrinal reasons (Santarita & Madrid,
2016);

D) Cult. A loosely organized religious movement and independent from the religious
tradition of the surrounding society (Santarita & Madrid, 2016).
2) Separation of Church and State. In the Philippines, the Section 6, Article III of the 1987
Constitutions states that the “separation of church and state shall be inviolable”. Further, Section
5, Article III of the 1987 also states that “no law shall be made respecting an establishment of
religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. This simply means that the state cannot
establish or recognize any religion as the national religion or interfere with the people to freely
choose their religion (Santarita & Madrid, 2016).

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Source: Sociology in our Times. The Essentials. 10th Edition 2016 Kendall

Secularization. The process by which religious beliefs, practices, and institutions lose their
significance in sectors of society and culture. Secularization involves a decline of religion in
everyday life and a corresponding increase in organizations that are highly bureaucratized,
fragmented, and impersonal (Kendall, 2016).

It has two components: (1) a decline in religious values and institutions in everyday life and (2) a
corresponding increase in nonreligious values or principles and greater significance given to
secular institutions (Kendall, 2016).

See if you can do this!

Activity 1 Quiz
Directions: Read each item carefully and provide the best answer. Write your answer on the
allocated space after each item.

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1A Enumeration
1–2 : Functions of Education
1. Socialization

2. Social placement

3–7 : Manifest Functions of Education

3. Socialization

4. Social Control

5. Social placement

5. Transmission of culture

7.
8 – 10 : Latent Functions of Education
8. Courtship

9. Social networks

10. Working in group

2A Essay
What is the right to education and what steps did the Philippine Government do to ensure that
this right is enjoyed by everyone? Explain. (20 pts.)

Education is not a privilege, but a legal right, It is very important that everyone can get it, as this
is the key to a successful future, as this is the key to a successful future. In other’s time field of
education, there are many changes and innovations to make the educational process easier and
more effective. There are many applications for learning languages and other subjects, as well as
services that make reviews of student assistance companies. In other country, education is not
constitutional right. There are many conservatives who believe it is an earned privilege, which is
why they have been emphasizing home schooling, vouchers and charter to create and educational
system for students who are sufficiently advantaged to programs by their demonstrated ability. I
must say in other counties education is not legally right.

Activity 2 Infographics (PERFORMANCE TASK)

Directions: Choose a topic from Lesson 7 and prepare an Infographics. Send it in my email,
[email protected]

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