Value-Based Education: An Essential Demand To Sustain Quality In Indian Education System

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Abstract:

Education is a tool for total development of humane, if any one aspect of human personality is ignored, it can result very adversely. Without imparting values and morals in education, human development will be incomplete. Values and morals are inbuilt in human beings and Education should help in the improvement of human character and recognition of their inner purity, so the essential part of education system should emphasise the values and morals with other development. “Education is not simply imparting knowledge in a particular faculty or subject or making one fit for securing jobs or fair well in exams, but at the same time is also a training in logical thinking, which helps the coming generations adjust to the ever changing environment. It also means opening the doors of the mind, cleansing the soul and realization of the self” (Pabla, 2011With a huge expansion of the education system, there is a marked decline in the characters, regards for elders, appreciation for cultural heritage, ethical, moral values, and responsibilities towards family, community and nation. In most of the educational institutions, there is lack of emphasis on the concept of human development and nation-building process. Their emphasis instead is on money making and materialism without consideration of human values and national sprit in their life. This system definitely increase literacy rate but not helps in creating educated persons in the society and as a result it does not produce ideal citizen in the country. This report focuses on Review of different Philosophic view about true education and Values given by the different scholars. To know the possible causes of value deterioration, assess the need & importance of Value-based education. It is essential to increase ethical moral values, philosophical thinking, research and moral development through unique tools of spirituality & Meditation in present Indian education system.

  • Key words– education system, present, spirituality, value Based Education, society, culture

Research Methodology

The study is carried out based on existing research and secondary data from various resources.

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Objectives:

  1. What is the true meaning of Education?
  2. Need of Value-Based-Education
  3. To review different Philosophic view about Value Based Education
  4. To assess the teaching & learning Method of value based education
  5. Conclusion Top of form bottom of Form

Introduction:

Education is the backbone of the development of any country, because it promotes the knowledge, skills, habits, values, or attitudes and understanding of the people in the country. Therefore, education system in India should give greater emphasis to protect the fullest possible growth of body, mind and Heart; and fruitful channelization of the life-energy in pursuits that contribute to the growth of both internal and external personality. It ultimately provides the requisite help, through a powerful spiritual atmosphere, for the soul to come forward and gradually begin to govern a balanced, peaceful and spiritually awakened life. Therefore, value based-education is instrumental to unfold and nurture the ideals of life. Education that does not help promote human virtues will not do any good to the society; it will rather mislead the entirety of humanity. ‘The real difficulty is that people have no idea of what education truly is.

What is the True Meaning of Education?-Education should aim at making human life better not only through economic upliftment of individual but also through social, moral and spiritual strengthening. This will not only improve human life but also realize the “higher truth” i.e.“Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya” from darkness to light. Thus education is not only a way of earning but it also helps to develop human personality with skills, values, morals and enhancement of different attributes of man. So education is a vital means for the potentialities of a human being to emerge in a positive direction so that a man can live in society with full of dignity (Bordoloi, 2011). “[Education’s] central aim is the building of the powers of the human mind and spirit, it is the formation, or, as I would prefer to view it, the evoking of knowledge and will and of the power to use knowledge, character, culture,—that at least if no more” (Sri Aurobindo, 1956/2004, pp. 9-10). True and living education helps to “bring out to full advantage, makes ready for the full purpose and scope of human life that is in the individual man, and which at the same time helps him to enter into his right relation with the life, mind and soul of the people to which he belongs and with that great total life, mind and soul of humanity of which he himself is a unit and his people or nation a living, a separate and yet inseparable member” (pp. 13 14). A truly Integral Education should have three central aims: 1) For an individual, it is growth of the soul and its powers and possibilities, 2) For the nation, the preservation, strengthening and enrichment of the nation-soul and its Dharma, 3) To raise both the individual and nation into powers of the life and ascending mind and soul of humanity. The emphasis on body, heart, mind and spirit in the educational process is most visible one. Gandhi also emphasises the cultivation of the heart and refinement of human emotions and impulses. “True education is that which cultivates the soul or the spirit, and leads ultimately to the full and complete development of man’s body, mind and spirit…Literacy then is not the primary goal of education: it is the cultivation of character, and the development of the spirit; it is the education of the heart not the head” (Richards, 2001, p. 12).

Value-Based Education is essential demand to Sustain Quality in Indian Education System: Education is a tool for total development of humane, if any one aspect of human personality is ignored, it can result very adversely. Without imparting values and morals in education, human development will be incomplete. Values and morals are inbuilt in human beings and Education should help in the improvement of human character and recognition of their inner purity, so the essential part of education system should emphasise the values and morals with other development. The quality of education greatly influences the quality of manpower for the societal benefits.

The present Indian education system has completely failed to create a well-mannered society.

Indian society today is in the throes of a moral and cultural crisis.

With a huge expansion of the education system, there is a marked decline in the characters, regards for elders, appreciation for cultural heritage, ethical, moral values, and responsibilities towards family, community and nation.

In most of the educational institutions, there is lack of emphasis on the concept of human development and nation building process. Their emphasis instead is on money making and materialism without consideration of human values and national sprit in their life.

This system definitely increase literacy rate but not helps in creating educated persons in the society and as a result it does not produce ideal citizen in the country.

Value-based Education is highly needed in our modern society because our lives have become more miserable.

Today’s education system has lost it’s graciousness & significance due to western influence. It has succeeded in developing within us hatred towards our own traditional and cultural roots. They are trying to making themselves look at the western way of life with respect & appreciation.

The main objective of Indian students has remained how to take degree, to earn money and to be careerist without consideration of ethical values and national spirit in their life. Fast achievement of position by whatever means, fair or foul; good/bad has been the soul motive of the products of such a imperfect system of education.

We see uncontrolled corruption and decrease in ethical values, unlawful activities, inhuman behavior and immoral consumption, which is slowly breaking the structure of society, nation and the world.

Moral value and Ethics has been consistently ignored in academic set up, Indiscipline is increasing among students and horrible symptoms are seen everywhere.

The present education system gives importance to the total marks, merit positions, awards & such thing. The education system has changed into the examination system & now it is becoming an information system; pushing back the value system that the earlier system used to emphasize.

The Vedas say – ‘Etat Desh Prasutasya Sakasat Agrajanman, Swam Swam Charitram Shiksheran Prithivyam Sarva Manava…’ It means that people who are born in this part of the earth should enlighten the entire world by presenting the example of their own character. Therefore, It is high time to identify the true meaning of Value-based Education to sustain the Quality in the Indian Education System

Mere Education or Value-Based Education:

In simple term value-based Education means part of Education, which imparts certain essential moral, ethical, cultural, social, spiritual, values in child necessary for their all round development and prepares, them as a complete man. It built the character and is necessary for development of personality of a individual. It includes physical health, mental health, etiquettes and social behaviour, civic rights and duties etc. Every one of us is well aware about the importance of these values in life of an individual yet we are unable to develop it in our children resulting in a number of behavioural and developmental problem. How these values can be developed in children? Moral development includes both thinking morally and behaving morally. Moral person is not only the person who does the right things but also one who does the right thing for right reasons.

The value education is not a new concept. It is recommended by Sri. Prakash, Dr.Mudolia Azad, Dr. Kothari, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Radha Krishnan,etc.

Education not only develops morality but also makes an individual capable for leadership and intelligent fellowship.

Dr. C. M. Yogi, Founder -Society for Value Education (SVE) had nicely compared Education with the Value-Based-Education in the Workshop organized by Save The Children and Curriculum Development Centre on 29th , December, 2009 as follows:

What is Value-Based Education?

Education opens up our mind, but Value-Based Education Value-Based Education gives us purity of heart too; education provides us with skills, but Value-Based Education provides us sincerity too; education extends our relationship with the world, but Value Based Education links us with our own family members too.

Education makes our living better, but Value-Based Education makes our life better too; education teaches us to compete with others, but Value-Based Education encourages us to be complete too; education makes us a good professional, but Value-Based Education makes us a whole human too; Education takes us to the top, but Value-Based Education takes the whole society to the top.

Education gives us capacity of better learning, but Value-Based Education gives us the tool for a deeper understanding too; education gives us Anna but Value-Based Education provides us Ananda too; education may bring limitations but Value Based Education is for liberation. After all right education means- ‘Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye”. It means that knowledge is what helps us to attain liberation. The education which we are imparting nowadays doesn’t fit at all in this definition of Vidya. As the vidya in this saying, connotes very high meaning, spiritual meaning.

Teaching and Learning Methods of Value-Based Education-:

General education can be transferred, but Value-Based Education should be transformed. Value-Based Education is more teacher-based than text books; it is more awakening, not only informing. It is life-oriented, not exam-oriented. Therefore, we need to create a special environment in institutions to transform Value-Based Education in students.

First of all, we need to be trained, committed and spiritually motivated teachers for Value-Based Education.

Concentration – The very essence of education is concentration of mind. From the common man to the highest yogi, all have to use the same method to attain knowledge. According to Indian Tradition, the key to true knowledge can be obtained only through concentration. While for some persons concentration is spontaneous and easy, for many it is difficult and requires long training. So the teacher must organize teaching in such a way that it may be helpful to each student separately and try to solve the problems of the student to achieve concentration. Results of Concentration Vivekananda says “All success in any time of work is the result of concentration. High achievements in arts, music etc., are the result of concentration.(173 Volume VI, P 37) The Greeks applied their concentration to the external world and the result was perfection in art, literature etc. The Hindu concentrated on the internal world, upon the unseen realms in the self and developed the science of yoga.174 Volume VI, P 124) The world is ready to give up its secret if we only know how to knock, how to give the necessary blow. The strength and force of the blow comes through concentration. Volume I, P 130175 According to Swami Vivekananda the very essence of education is concentration of mind and not mere collection of facts. He says “If I had to do my education once again, I would not study facts at all. I would develop the power of concentration and detachment, and then with a perfect instrument, collect facts at will.(176 Volume VI, P 3 )

The best practices of ancient education system can be implemented in the modern education system. The study of Sanskrit language, spiritual and religious aspects needs to be given due care to preserve it because it is enriched by the sense of peace, humanity, brotherhood. Education is regarded as an attempt to transmit the cultural norms of the group to its younger members.

Physical Education- Vivekananda laid particular stress on the value of physical education in curriculum. He said “you will be nearer to Heaven through football than the study of Gita…. You will understand the Upanishads better and the glory of the Atman, when your body stands firm on your feet and you feel yourself as man” Vivekananda. S C.W. Vol III. P242, . One must know the secret of making the body strong through physical education. For a complete education it is necessary to develop both mind and body. Vivekananda himself took physical exercise every day. He glorified strength and opposed weakness in any form. Power is life and weakness is death. Because of the need of strength and power, he emphasized the importance of physical education particularly for young men and women Indian Philosophy of education. P47).

Revaluate the objective of Education: Quality and standard of education depends on the continuous review and updating of the curriculum of the students in the school, college and universities levels periodically. Board of studies should delete the lessons not useful to life and society and periodically introduce new syllabi to suit the society needs. The best education system is not only improving the I.Q. (Intelligence quotient)of students but also equally the E.Q. (Emotional quotient) Foremost important step towards value-based education is to know about their culture, their own heroes, Kalidasa was greatest poet ever in the world but our new generation is not aware about him. They should study about contemporary Indian philosophy. Greatest books like – foundation of Indian culture, the life devine, syntheses of yoga should be the part of our curriculum. So children could aware about their roots about their history, literature,& Indian heroes. Indian spirituality & Meditation are very valuable tools of knowledge should be incorporated in Indian education system. These are unique in the world so should be taught in school from kindergarten onwards. Abundant opportunities should be provided to the pupil for the development of his personality.

Extreme materialistic affection has made our life very narrow; therefore one should be able to open up the mind and heart freely and infinitely. Actually Value-Based Education does not require any set text books; rather than that, the whole institution should be based on Value-Based Education.

In his keynote opening address, Dr. Katrien Beeckman, (Head, Principles & Values Department, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) rightly put his views as follows, “We could, of course, presume that globalization, TV and modern communication technology or social media are enabling factors to break this ignorance. We need to nurture a mindset that:

  1. is critical, including self-critical,
  2. is open and curious or welcoming and celebrating diversity as a source of learning, adventure and joy,
  3. can engage in a constructive dialogue and look for creative solutions to problems with others rather than camp on its position, focus on differences and blow things into dangerous and unhealthy proportion.

We cannot escape the beautiful thoughts, rather consideration given in his famous book, “Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” by Deepak Chopra. The spiritual laws which he has explained there, are the must read or must have laws which are to be taught in schools or colleges as a curriculum for Value-Based-Education. According to him following are the seven spiritual laws for any success.

  1. Law of Pure Potentiality
  2. Law of Giving
  3. Law of Karma
  4. Law of Least Effort
  5. Law of Intention & Desire
  6. Law of Detachment
  7. Law of Dharma or Purpose in Life

If we want our students and society to learn the highest spiritual laws or truths, we must incorporate such topics in their academic curriculum, in Each and every stream and means of study.

Conclusions:

As Swami Chinmayananda in his ‘We Must’ booklet states ‘All our success entirely depends upon ourselves. Let us never look outside ourselves for help. Let us not fall into the delusion that the influence of others would enable us to do better or accomplish more.’

He firmly says: ‘Spiritual education and religious practices make us realize that we are a part of a whole scheme, and the essential creativeness behind the whole universe is the essential Essence ruling in the heart of each one of us: ShivohamShivoham ‘. Incorporating Value-Based-Education in society will result in growth of character, growth in virtues like self-control, tolerance, selfless service, practice of prayer, harmony, to love all people, to help them in need & respect them, purity of soul etc… And for that value-based education must be imparted in today’s institutions. So that, the students may emerge as good leaders in their chosen fields.

In the words of Swami Vivekananda, ‘Religion is nothing but a manifestation of the divinity already in man. Man is not just the body or even the combination of the body & the mind. He is essentially the spirit. The aim of our teaching should be to help manifest this spirit in every thought, word and action.

The current educational system try to achieve pronounced success in connection with character formation, development of personality, and contribution to knowledge in all branches of learning as well as social well being and material prosperity. The present Indian curriculum must evolve a special form of education whereby harmony will be established between materialism and Spiritualism; and human life so that headed towards greater perfection.

References:

  1. New Trends in Education, By Surinder Jit Kaur, Yogesh Sharma, Anshu Mathur,  New Delhi Publishers.
  2. R-2.Value-Based Education Vidyaya-Amritam-Ashnute (Wisdom provides immortality) in Nepal’- Dr. C. M. Yogi.
  3. 24 Value Education :Need of the hour and great opportunity for the librarians –YojanaPatil (Seminar paper)
  4. Ref.(Value based Education is the only Solution to the Problem of Crisis of Moral Values among the Youth of IndiaDeepa Awasthi (Research Scholar), Department of Education, University of Lucknow,Lucknow – 226007, Uttar Pradesh. Volume-3, Issue-9, Sept-2014 • ISSN No 2277 – 8160)
  5. ‘Value-Based-Education in Nepal’-paper by Dr. C. M. Yogi -Founder -Society for Value Education (SVE) Workshop organized by Save The Children and Curriculum Development Centre on 29th , December, 2009 as follows:
  6. Subhash Sharma, (from Indian Business Academy, Bangalore & Greater Noida)- paper on
  7. ‘IndianManagementWisdom’http://www.aimsinternational.org/tmf/postedarticles/t809pdf
  8. Seven Spiritual Laws of Success – Deepak Chopra
  9. “We Must” – a booklet by Swami Chinmayananda
  10. “The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda” Sadachar –Shankaracharya–26“The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda”
  11. Role of Value-Based Education In Society. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286933664_Role_of_Value-Based_Education_In_Society
  12. Swami Vivekananda on Indian and her problems.
  13. keynote opening address of Dr. KatrienBeeckman, (Head, Principles & Values Department,International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)

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