Publisher's Synopsis
INTRODUCTION 1.1 Meaning and definitions of education: 'Prepare the child for life', must be the slogan or aim of the 21st century. By birth no one is master in any aspect of his or her life. From infancy onwards gradually every individual learns different skills related to emotional, mental, physical and social functioning through formal or informal mode. The word education is derived from the three different Latin words "educare" which means "to raise" or "to bring up". Another Latin term "educere" meaning "to lead forth" or "to come out" and "educatum" is also another Latin term for education, it means "act of teaching" or "act of training". To give a precise definition of education, just as we define certain concepts in science or other technical subjects, is difficult, as there is no one meaning of education held in common by people. These meanings emphasize that education is meant to nurture good qualities and to bring out the best among each individual. Education seeks to develop the innate or the inner potentialities of humans. According to Aristotle (384-322BC) "education is the creation of sound mind in a sound body. It develops mans faculty specially his mind so that he may be able to enjoy the contemplation of supreme truth, goodness and beauty". According to Swami Vivekananda (1894) "education is the manifestation of perfections already in man. Like a piece of flint, knowledge exists in the mind. Suggestion is the friction which brings it out". SELF-PERCEPTION, EMOTIONAL MATURITY, ADJUSTMENT AND SOCIAL COMPETENCE OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS STUDYING IN CO-EDUCATION AND UNISEX EDUCATION SYSTEM 2 According to John Dewey (1916) "education is reconstruction or reorganization of experience which adds to the meaning of experience and which increases the ability to direct the course of subsequent experiences". Mahatma Ghandhi (1937) defines education as "an all-round drawing out of the best in child and man's body, mind and spirit". Some of the important features of education are: 1. Education consist unilateral or bi-polar nature. 2. Education is a continuous process. 3. Education is gaining knowledge and experience. 4. Education is meant for the wholesome growth and developments of the individual. 5. Education is useful to individual or healthy society. 6. Education is a wide discipline. 7. Education maintains the social rhythm, protects the culture and acts as an agent for social change and development. 1.2 Types of education system and its pros and cons: School and family plays a very important role in individual's socialization. Similar to the family, school also plays significant role in every one's life. In schools, the children involve in mutual interactions or activities and develop good intimate relationships. When children reach adolescent period, they become more attached to their peers and schools than their parents. Keeping the overall growth of their children, parents admit their children in unisex schools or the schools with coeducation. This is based on the parents mentality. Some parents think that unisex,
