GOALS, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Goals, Aims and Objectives are used in different meanings with respect to their scope and
significance. They are interrelated deeply. Their sequence is different according to two groups
of experts. One says that their sequence is: 1. Aims, 2. Goals and 3. Objectives; While the other
says their sequence is: 1. Goals, 2. Aims and 3. Objectives. Generally, the experts consider the
first sequence as right.

Aims are primary and many Goals can be derived from them and then many Objectives can be
derived from the Goals. Their relationship can be explained from the following diagram:

OBJECTIVES
GOALS
OBJECTIVES
AIMS
GOALS OBJECTIVES

AIMS:
Aims are the widest in scope. They are based on ideology and national values. They provide
general directions for the educational system. Aims do not describe details of educational
activities and are not related directly to school activities but directs the policy makers to
formulate an educational policy at local, provincial or national level. Aims are the milestone of
education. Davis says that it is difficult to attain them completely and even they are not fully
practical. They decide the success or failure of the system of education. Aims are social and
ideological in nature and are long term targets. Some examples of Aims of education are:

1. To increase the literacy rate in Pakistan

2. To inculcate Ideology of Islam and Pakistan in students
3. To develop such citizens as aware of Pakistan Movement and its ideological boundaries,
history and its culture.
4. To spread Islamic ideology

GOALS:
Goals are derived from Aims. They describe educational targets more clearly than Aims. They
are further divided into different fields and parts. Aims are subdivided into many goals for their
attainment. Goals are made for any educational institution, sector or a program. Goals are also
long term and give a blueprint for achievement of educational targets.

Goals are about two important facts:

 1. They describe in written what an individual know after completion of a course or
program.
2. They are a bridge between Aims and Objectives that facilitates teachers and other
related people.

Examples of Goals are as follows:

1. To develop interest, attitude and aesthetic sense

2. To develop ability of observation and inference
3. Te develop awareness of the life of the Holy Prophet
4. To develop technical and academic skills in students

OBJECTIVES:
Objectives are also called Instructional targets. They are short term and brief in nature. They
are focused and fully attainable. They are related to classroom and teaching. They direct
students and the teacher towards their success or failure. They inform the students what they
need and give feedback to the teacher towards their teaching activity. Classroom activities
move around them. Objectives are flexible and can be changed according to the needs.

According to Bloom, objectives not only determine the nature of curriculum but also suggest
devising suitable techniques and their use. Experts say that Goals cannot be achieved without
objectives and thus goals are further subdivided into objectives for the attainment of
educational targets. Objectives are formulated into two forms::

1. Behavioral objectives
2. Non-behavioral objectives

Examples of Objectives are as follows:

1. To give students awareness of Beliefs of Islam

2. To make students able to do an experiment to prove effects of salts on plants
3. To make students able to know effects of weather

Prof. A. R. Somroo
Department of Education
Govt. Emerson College, Multan