A GLIMPSE ON HOLISTIC EDUCATION
Aristotle “The fate of empires depends on the education of the youth.” Whatever good or bad that you see today in the society is directly linked to the kind of education we give to our Children.
“India is still one of the most illiterate country of the world. We have around 300 million illiterates. And of those who are literate, not even half of them are educated in the real sense. Half of the literates are not employable in any industry even though the education imparted is only for employment.”
The basic definition of Literacy is having the ability to read & write. We have an act on Right to Education &Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan Programs in India but are they well implemented?
The important points to ponder in our currenteducation scenario are:
- Does our education system allow learners to discover self with the limited assessment mostly of paper- pencil tests?
- Will our students lead a betterlife with learning life skills i.e. the skills to problem solving, critical thinking or team working or by justscoring top marks or mugging up facts & scoring well in exams will guarantee success in life?
- Is health, happiness, hygiene& Discipline not important in one’s life?
Should teachers & parents not spend time on teaching discipline, valuesand responsible behavior to children?
- Are we preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow?
One of the major shortcomings of our education is that it is focussed on intellectual development of the student through academic instruction. Education is not merely for scoring marks, getting degrees or jobs or earning a livelihood but it is about building a good human being, a responsible citizen and a person who can handle the challenges of life in a more healthy, acceptable & responsible ways.
Mahatma Gandhi’s views on education were “Education is the systematic process of training of the head, hand & heart (3-H) Head – learning to know; Hand – learning to earn livelihood, and Heart – learning to be. The need is to have an education system that makes people better human beings; that enables them to meet their basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, education, health, security and self-esteem, infusing the society with a sense of vasudhaivakutumbakam (the whole world is a family and the earth is a common habitat).
“Mahatma Gandhi’s views on education were always focused on an all-round education, not just literacy. He stressed on the development of a child as a whole, not just the mind. “Wounded children become wounded adults & can destroy themselves & possibly others.” Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.
It is very rightly said “Building up a child is easier than It is to repair an adult.” Thus teachers and parents have a bigger role to play in a child’s life.
Education is a systematic process through which a child or an adult acquires knowledge, experience, skill and sound attitude. It makes an individual civilized, refined, cultured and educated. For a civilized and socialized society, education is the only means.. Every society gives importance to education because it is a panacea for all evils. It is the key to solve the various problems of life.
Education should have a balance of knowledge, attitudes, skills & values. It should build the courage, confidence & self-esteem in a person. It should teach discipline & control on one’s thoughts, feeling & actions for a healthy character & personality. Education should develop a person holistically. School Curriculum & activities should be so planned to develop a person physically, mentally, emotionally, socially & also spiritually.
“The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion — is it worth the name? Real education is that which enables one to stand on one’s own legs”Swami Vivekanand..
Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education. Every day we read the news of youngsters studying in schools or coaching institutes or IITs committing suicides.Our education is more towards learning the facts & acquiring high marks and not towards learning the values or life –skills or positive attitudes.
In the current scenario, we find thestudents and society with lack of empathy & respect.The growing crime rates, frequently reported cases of rapeand molestation shocks us. For a holistic personality development, we should also train children on responsible behaviour, health & hygiene, Food & Nutrition, Gender Equality, Values, Discipline, Right-Wrong decisions, Safety issues etc. We need to challenge their abilities to think creatively & critically.Promoting sports and cultural activities add value to the learning.Education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking. “Education is not learning of the facts but training of the mind to think” is rightly observed by Albert Einstein. Education prepares oneself for a productive life.
Meenu Bhargava
Psychologist cumTrainer
