The historical bases of education are very important to every educator. The aims and principles of education,the meaning, purposes, functions and forms of education from the individual, family and national perspectives have been addressed. The aims of education with special reference to curricular principles, values, types, development and process as well as the role the educator has to play are addressed. Curriculum, as related to national education policy objectives as well as specific controversial topics like authority, freedom, discipline and corporal punishment. Finally, the philosophical, educational principles, ideas and practices of selected prominent educationists relevant to our 21st century have been brought to the fore for further debate.