Advantages and Disadvantages of State Control over Education

Advantages

There are both advantages and disadvantages of state control over education which may be discussed as follow:

1. State provides adequate funds for expansion as well as qualitative improvement of education.

2. It encourages uniformity in the structure and system of education at all levels.

3. It ensures suitable standards of education fixing a national policy.

4. Service conditions of teachers and inspecting officers can be improved under state control.

5. Education may be kept free of local politics and influences.

Disadvantage:

1. Education will face economic difficulty in absence of the state support.

2. Educational institutions may lose autonomy and educators, their freedom and self-dignity.

3. Local needs may not be taken proper care by Central or National Government.

4. Local initiative and resources may not be adequately utilized for the benefit of education.

5. The aim and objectives of education may be narrowly conceived which will adversely affect the quality of curriculum, textbooks and other aspects of education.

Thus it is evident that education under the full state control is as harmful as it is fully independent of the same. Therefore, a via media is desirable and all extremes are deplorable. State as the supreme authority should also be a chief agency for providing education to its citizens.

A reasonable extent of the state control is desirable for ensuring the quality and standard of education and for proper utilization of the state finance. Merely autonomy in education will not help achieving well-being of the individuals, unless suitable education is made available to them.

There should be proper balance between the state control and educational autonomy. Education and state should go hand in hand in order to realize the social objectives as well and individual goals of freedom and prosperity.