New tendencies in education

1. Eclectic Tendency and its Development in Education
Eclectic Tendency and its Development in Education:
Meaning of Eclectic Tendency:
In this book, “Brief Course of History of Education” Munroe defines the phrase ‘eclectic
tendency’ in the following words-
“The eclectic tendency is that which seeks the harmonization of principles underlying various
tendencies and rationalization of educational practices”.
The eclectic tendency stands for acquiring knowledge from all subjects. The modern civilization
is the combination of all branches of knowledge, and so is modern education. It is important in the
sense that it does not lay stress on a particular branch of knowledge but it stands for the synthesis
of all various tendencies and education.
Historical Basis of Eclectic Tendency in Education:
Modern education has acquired much from history. By sheer dint of the eclectic tendency, modern
education has assimilated many things like naturalism, psycho-analyism, Socialism etc.
Thinkers and philosophers like Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Herbert, Spencer, and Froebel have
expressed their views on the tendency in education.
Rousseau is of the opinion that a child’s education should base on the entire needs of the whole
life.
Pestalozzi had propounded the “theory of self-realization“. He emphasized the need of sympathy
for children.
Herbert laid stress on the scientific system of teaching. By this, he meant that the aim of education
should be the building of character.
Froebel regarded insight as the basis of education. He was a child Psychologist.
Spencer propounded the principle of scientific tendency under which science was included in the
curriculum. Though he laid emphasis on individualism, still he could not ignore the importance of
the Socialistic tendency of education.
Modern education has assimilated all these views. The Government has also taken the
responsibility of educating people.
Development of Eclectic Tendency in Education:
Following are the factors which led to the development of the eclectic tendency in education-
(1) Synthesis of Various Philosophical Views- The synthesis of certain tendencies in education
such as Idealism, Naturalism, Realism and Pragmatism contributed a lot to the development of the
eclectic tendency in education. Idealism helped to determine the aims of education, naturalism
attracted our attention to child-centred educational methods and realism directed our attention to
solving the problems of life through education. The synthesis of these tendencies led to the
development of the eclectic tendency in education to a great extent.
(2) Synthesis between Individual and Social Aims of Education- It is a historical fact that for a
long time the supporters of Individual and social aims of education have deprived the individual
and the society of the highest benefits of education by emphasising their respective views. But

2. now a synthesis of the said two views have been made. In this connection, Ross writes,
“Individuality develops only in a social atmosphere where it can feed on common interest and
common activities”.
James also writes, “Education is the organization of the acquired habits of action such as will fit
the individual to his physical and social environment”.
This synthesis of social and individual aims of education further led to the development of the
eclectic tendency in education.
(3) Synthesis of Interest and Effort- The synthesis of interest and effort is also responsible for
the development of the eclectic tendency in education. Previously, on account of the disciplinary
conception in education, efforts in education were in vogue. But the development of the
psychological tendency in education emphasized the value of an interest in education. Now the
curriculum, educational methods etc., are based on the synthesis of effort and interest. Montessori
Method, Kindergarten Method, Dalton Method etc., are based on the synthesis of effort and
interest.
(4) Synthesis of the views of Discipline- There have been three types of views of discipline
supported by different educationists. Repressive type of discipline has now no place in education.
Likewise, the other two types of discipline also cannot be accepted in their original forms. But a
synthesis of these two types is attempted to develop the self-discipline of the child.
(5) Synthesis of various tendencies of Education- As a matter of fact, the eclectic tendency is
nothing but the synthesis of the various tendencies of education. The synthesis of psychological
tendency, scientific tendency, sociological tendency etc., has to a great extent led to the
development of the eclectic tendency in education. Regarding the contribution of the said three
tendencies, Munroe writes, “In the main, the psychological contribution have related to method;
the scientific to subject-matter, the sociological to a broader aim and better institutional
machinery”.
Characteristics of Eclectic Tendency in Education
Following are the chief characteristics of eclectic tendency in education-
 To prepare good citizens as the aim of education- One of the chief characteristics of modern
education is to prepare good citizens so that they may be able to work for the welfare of the
society and the country.
 Wide and flexible curriculum- In order to fulfil the needs of the present complicated and
changeable society, a wide flexible curriculum is constructed. In other words, many subjects
are included in the curriculum. Moreover, provision is made for the changes in the
curriculum keeping in view the changes in situations and ideas.
 Emphasis on the co-ordination of various subjects- Though many subjects are included in
the curriculum yet education is imparted by co-ordinating various subjects.
 Effort to make the method of teaching scientific- Efforts are made to make the method of
teaching as much scientific as possible so that the education imparted to the educands may
prove to be valid and reliable in all countries, times and situations.
 Method of teaching based on psychology- In the modern age teaching methods are based
on psychological elements. In order that teaching methods may be in accordance with the
interests of children, importance is attached to the principles of learning by doing, learning
by experience, learning by observation and learning by play.

3.  Emphasis on teacher’s training- In the modern period, special emphasis is laid on the
training of the teachers so as to enable them to make a scientific study of the educands and
impart education to them through proper methods.
 Emphasis on subject-specialist- Due to the increase of many subjects, it is not possible for
a teacher to teach all subjects of the curriculum. Consequently, teachers specialize in their
respective subjects. This makes them experts in their subjects and the students get the
opportunity of learning from one who has a command over his subjects.
 Division of the subjects of the curriculum into various subjects- With the increase in the
number of subjects, it is not possible for the student to study properly all the subjects
prescribed in the curriculum. Therefore, the subjects of the curriculum are divided into
several groups. keeping this in view, the subjects of the curriculum have been divided into
many groups. Example- Literary, Science, Commerce, Industrial, Constructive and Artistic
etc.
 Secular form of education- Science education was imparted by the Church or religious
institutions in ancient times the children were given mainly religious education. But the
education has now assumed a secular form. In this connection, Munroe writes, “For our
schools, we have definitely rejected revealed religion as a basis for morality and seek to find
a sufficient basis in the development of rationality in the child”.
 Teaching work as a profession- Teaching work now has been free from the clutches of the
Church or educational institutions. It has now become a profession. The teachers now get
salaries instead of depending upon the philosophy of someone.
 The status of the educator as the friend, guide and brother- In ancient times, the status of
the educator was regarded as equal to God. Children were always afraid and scared of the
teacher. But in the modern period, the status of an educator is that of a friend, guide and
brother.
 Importance of self-discipline- Modern education stresses the importance of self-discipline
in children.
 Place of school as the representative of society- Man is a social animal. He cannot live
properly without society even for a short period. In such circumstances, efforts are made to
make school a small unit of the society so that the socialization of the child may be made
and he may learn the activities and ideas which are useful for society. In the words of John
Dewey, “School should be the true representative of the society”.
 To establish co-operative relations among schools, home and society- Before the growth
of the new viewpoint in education, it was thought proper to impart education to children
away from home and society. But according to the new viewpoint, education should be
imparted to children by establishing co-operative relations between school, home and
society because most of time of the man passes in home and society and the child had
ultimately to adjust himself in home and society. According to K. Bhatia and B. D. Bhatia,
“New education envisages co-operative relation between school, home and community”.
 Education as a means of social control- According to this viewpoint, schools are regarded
as the means of social control in an indirect form. In the words of Munroe, “As a fond of
control, education is merely an instrument of society similar to law, to police, force to
religion and the Church, to organized public opinion and various institutional customs and
tradition”.
 Emphasis on professional education- Modern education stresses on professional education
so that the educands may fulfil his needs, raise his standard of living and implement social

4. welfare activities. To achieve this, Medical Colleges, Engineering Colleges, and Research
Institutions are being opened in great numbers.
 Provision of Education by State- In the complicated society of today, it has now become
necessary that the State should make provisions for education. States are required to provide
free and compulsory primary education. States have also the responsibility of providing
education to the blind, deaf, dumb etc.
 Emphasis on Adult or Social Education- In the modern period every country wants that
each of its citizens should be educated and should possess all the qualities of a good citizen.
For this purpose in view, adult or social education is being stressed. Education helps to
change the ideas of men and thereby leads to social reform.
 Importance of extra-curricular activities- Modern education is not confined to the study of
books but lays stress on extra-curricular activities such as plays, scouting, debates and
discussions etc.
 Emphasis on Military Training- Modern education also lays emphasis on military training
because it not only makes the educands well-behaved and disciplined but also inculcates
educational and patriotic qualities in them.