In the 21st century, the outstanding developments in technology and applied sciences have revolutionalised the industrial and agricultural sectors. Unless our young people think of their survival in the new world order, their hopes and aspirations will not be realised.
The present technological advancement has created a culture crisis. Ailments and diseases have become constant companions of man.
The challenges of the global communication revolution should be met. In today’s world of competition and fast technological development, students should have high moral for life. Sometimes, these are being affected by school atmosphere. It has been rightly said that if you want to create good men and women, “catch them young”.
So, the best place for this is the school and the right person is the teacher. The responsibility of a school is to make the students “good” before making them ‘smart’. The basic goal of education is character building and so character is deeply connected to education. The present system of education does not develop the ‘whole person’ of the child.
Different commissions and committees have expressed their deep anguish over the declining phenomenon of values on human life. For this, education can serve the purpose best and value oriented education to the children is the best possible way. The values to be reflected in a desirable education system will better fit the children, the citizens of the country to create a friendly world. The curriculum or syllabus is to be so framed that child is able to adjust him to any environment. It is the sum of the total experiences that the child receives in a class room. The activities like love, affection, kindness and helping attitude to others at the time of need are to be institutionalised. Qualities like love towards country, fellow beings as well as animals and birds to be taught to the children through activities.
The activities like NCC, Scouts and Guides, games and sports, seminars and exhibitions help students inculcate in them the patriotic values. In addition to that, other values which help the child to be a good social being be enhanced in the school atmosphere.
Mainly, for inculcation of social, moral and spiritual values in children, the role of a teacher is more like a facilitator. A resourceful teacher helps in implementation of these good qualities and sees that all activities and programme as directed towards attainment of the goal are achieved. The personality of a teacher through different activities enables to instill value consciousness in children. Since it is a lifelong process, collaboration of home and community is highly needed.
In conclusion, it can be said that education has to become an initiator of such value education rather than being a mere accommodator. It is to be remembered that since the problems, ideas and values are undergoing changes, importance on value education only can suit the needs of the changing time.
(The writer is a teacher at the Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Bhubaneswar)