Education as a Social System: Present and Future Challenges

Education is usually considered as one of the most important social institutions. Since it builds the present and the future of each and every society, all the other institutions such as, family, politics, health, religion and economics would be meaningless and incomplete without it. As being the foremost instrument and power for creating the preferred and desired future, it is anticipated that this power should be able to raise better generations to bring the desired dreams to come true. Hence, each society has its own changing socio -- cultural / economic needs and requires an education to meet these needs. These needs should be met both deliberately and cautiously since they will shape both the present and the future of the society. This article aims to highlight the relationship between the education and the social system and point out some critical issues and challenges.