Realise real value of 'value education'

Before we see if value education is needed, we need to be clear what values we intend to teach. How do we decide what values we need to pass on? Do we take a purely utilitarian view and go for values that support the society we live in and the continuation of the status quo? This would mean that values may well be context based and change through time and place. However, we could look for universal values that stand the test of time. Such as: honesty, open mindedness, empathy, inclusiveness and valuing people. Yet, how would we go about instilling these concepts into a society? Civilisations encode they’re values in their laws as well as in customs. “Thou shalt not kill.” “Thou shalt not steal.” Are universal in one shape or other and speak of valuing people, honesty and ownership - the right of one person to their own personal property.

In effect, most values are developed in societies to keep order. To avoid a might is right situation, where the big guy takes all! It is to reduce the level of potential chaos and to make life more livable. Also we like people to share our values, we join ‘groups’ that seem to embody our values - religions, political organisations and unions, even particular jobs, teaching, medicine or the armed forces. Society and culture coevolve their values through custom, laws and practicality. To be explicit about what counts as a value for a given society is shot through with problems. British values have been promulgated by various groups (governments) but have remain contentious.

On one level you want some kind of moral values that allow a society to function, but generally you need something to enforce them. This tends to be religion, god or some sort of police force or army. Some moral values are fairly universal and seem to develop automatically as a society grows - essential concepts that keep chaos at bay. Then the enforcement methods kick in to maintain these values and to punish those who do not abide by them. As a society grows and becomes more complex the values develop and become laws that also become more complex. Basically, it is the universal values that seem to be part of every society and to stretch across time that under pin the legal and customary ideas of a society. These are the values that should be taught and clearly they are needed to keep order.

Value education means, to develop all rounds of skills, personality in daily life. Through this students can understand the responsibility, importance of life in good or bad direction, democratically living, culture understanding, critical thinking etc. Value education not applies only for student or in school, must be in family, business, sports and in all context. Here is some principles of value education:-Empathy. Equality. Respect for all. Care for health. Critical thinking. Lateral thinking. So the value education directly or indirectly helps to student. it will also enable them to make choices which would help their personal growth.

The main aim of value education is create more moral and democratic societies. We all agree that value education is rooted in Indian philosophy and culture and ingrained in every tradition of Indian culture. Educational institutions play a significant role in the promotion of value. The Vedas and Upanishads form the source of inspiration for value education. In the Vedic period, In Ashram education, the Guru insists his shishya to follow certain values throughout his life. Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Justice, Liberty Equality, Fraternity, Dignity of the individuals and integrity of the nation are the ideal conditions in the Constitution. Our values in life must draw their inspiration from these ideals. University education commission 1948-49 mentioned the various aspects of morality as: loyalty, courage, discipline, self-sacrifice and spirituality.

The Secondary Education Commission 1952-53 laid special emphasis on the following values in the formation of character of the students: Efficiency, good temper, cooperation, integrity, discipline, need for value education. Moral awareness should be endorsed to orient the progress in science & technology towards the welfare of mankind. Common values should be re-discovered to unite human beings with the general decline of traditional values.Teachers pass values to the students both consciously and unconsciously through their conduct in and out of class rooms. Therefore the need for a consciously planned value education program is obvious to establish a formal learning.

Then what is education, means unavailing the maya covered over the Atman. The present education systems brings more stress, further more diseases, further more nature exploitation, finally leads to drought of everything, present education kills the students. Hence it is not accordance to the verdict of Swamy Vivekananda. We need the education, of old Vedic methods teachings. By which simple living, high thinking. education should give more power to individual atman, the students in their future like should understand they are working for Vishwa Chaitanya, should feel that they are as homage towards the universal soul, Brahman.

The students might face more complicated decision making situations about issues involving values. They should be helped in developing the ability to make proper choices in such situations through value education. Increase in Juvenile delinquency is a crisis to youth who under goes the process of personal growth. In such situation value education assumes a special significance. Value Education awakens curiosity, development of proper interests, attitudes, values and capacity to think and judge about oneself. Value Education helps in Promoting Social and Natural Integration. Aims and Objectives of Value Education are at the development of values of the following type. Scientific temper of mind. Large heartedness. Co-operation. Tolerance. Respect for the culture of other groups. Cheers!