Inculcation of Human Values Through Education With the Help of Science and Technology

Inculcation of Human Values through Education with the Help of Science and Technology

 

 

INTRODUCTION

“If human values take root in the educational system, the emerging individuals will have the following attributes:

 They will want peace & justice in a world that acknowledges the rule of law and in which no nation or individual need live in fear;

Freedom and self reliance to be available to all;

 The dignity & work of every person to be recognized & safeguarded;

 All people to be given an opportunity to achieve their best in life; and

 They will seek equality before the law and the equality of opportunity for all”. 

Sathya Sai

 

           Now we are living in the Modern, Scientific and Technological world. Science and Technology have brought enormous changes in the society. The attitudes of the people are also changes in the day to day life of human beings.

             Man is a unique creation in this universe that under certain parameters is free to make his own destiny. Now, if man has to make his destiny, the question of values in life comes up. He has to think naturally as to what should be the guiding norms of life process. It is therefore clear that the guiding factors for man, which provide the prime motivating force behind his thought, emotion and action, have to be moral and spiritual. The socio-cultural and spiritual life of man has to bring peace, progress and welfare for both the individual and the society. This is precisely the reason why the modern society is worried about the deterioration of values.

            Having diagnosed the present problem, we have to find the remedy for this situation before there is further deterioration of values in the wider interest of the mankind. With the help of Science (Exhibitions) and Technology (Print & Electronic Media and Mass Media) including social awareness programmes we can inculcate the values in the people.

IMPORTANCE OF VALUES

            In today’s multi-cultural and multi-racial society, with its changing social norms and expectations, it can be difficult for a young person to know what is right. To enable young people to appreciate themselves and others, and to take greater responsibility for their actions and for the world around them. Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji of Puthige Math has said that it is necessary to give importance to human values in the present era of globalization.

 

 

CLASSIFICATION OF VALUES

In generally, values may be classified as;

Ø      Personal Values

Ø      Social Values

Ø      Moral Values

Ø      Spiritual Values and

Ø      Behavioural values.

All these values are necessary for all types of persons in the society.

INCULCATION OF VALUES THROUGH EDUCATION          

Thinking with love is truth
Feeling with love is peace
Acting with love is right conduct
Understanding with love is non-violence
-Sathya Sai

            According the Sathya Sai Baba the following five values are necessary for students.

v     Right Conduct

v     Peace

v     Truth

v     Love

v     Non-Violence

            These values are specific because they are in line with a human being’s make up. They are also heavily interrelated (e.g. right conduct is action with love and according to conscience).These five values are inter-related and inherent in human beings, raising them above the level of the animal kingdom.

Right Conduct

            Information is received through the five senses i.e. smell, taste sight, touch and hearing. When this information is referred to the conscience, the resulting action will be beneficial. Every action is preceded by thought. If the thought is consciously seen and noted, aims to help and is unselfish, the action will be good for oneself and others. If our mind is busy, or we are daydreaming, the action may be useless, clumsy or harmful to ourselves or others.

            Right conduct is also concerned with how we look after and use our bodies. The body needs to careful maintenance to be strong, healthy and well co-coordinated to serve us in performing the tasks of life. Students need to understand the importance of exercise, such as gymnastics, yoga and sports combined with good rest. Good thoughts and good company (which includes everything imbibed by the five senses) are essential for healthy and well balanced development. Right conduct is taught through: Silent Sitting, Story telling and Group Activities.

Values Relate to Right Conduct

Self-help Skills

·        Care of Possessions

·        Diet

·        Hygiene

·        Modesty

·        Posture

·        Self-reliance

·        Tidy appearance

 

 

 

 

Social Skills

 

·        Good behaviour

·        Good manners

·        Good relationships

·        Helpfulness

·        Not wasting

 

Ethical Skills

 

·        Code of conduct

·        Courage

·        Dependability

·        Duty

·        Efficiency

·        Ingenuity

·        Initiative

·        Perseverance

·        Punctuality

·        Resourcefulness

·        Respect for all

·        Responsibility

Peace
            We smile when we are happy and contented. Contentment is gained when we cease to want for us all the apparent ‘good’ things conveyed to us through our five senses. When our willpower is sufficiently strong to enable us to discern the difference between real needs and superfluous desires, we cease to be driven by the urge to own more and more things.

            Inner agitation stops and we are left feeling peaceful. When there is peace in the individual, there will be peace in the family. When there is peace in the family, there will be peace in the community. In order to learn, self-esteem, calmness and freedom from anxiety are necessary.

            These qualities are fostered by two of the Programmes components, namely silent sitting and the self-reflective exercises in some of the group activity sessions.

Values Related to Peace

Ø      Attention

Ø      Calm

Ø      Concentration

Ø      Contentment

Ø      Dignity

Ø      Discipline

Ø      Equality

Ø      Equanimity

Ø      Faithfulness

Ø      Focus

Ø      Gratitude

Ø      Happiness

Ø      Harmony

Ø      Humility

Ø      Inner silence

Ø      Optimism

Ø      Reflection

Ø      Satisfaction

Ø      self-acceptance

Ø      Self-confidence

Ø      Self-control

Ø      Self-discipline

Ø      Self-esteem

Ø      Self-respect

Ø      Sense control

Ø      Surrender

Ø      Understanding

Ø      Virtue

Truth

            The desire to know truth has prompted mankind to ask some of the great questions such as: Who am I? What is the purpose of life? How can I know my inner self/ God/ the Creator of the universe? How can I live fully in the present moment?

            Learning to speak the truth is a first and vital step in the formation of a strong character. Voicing an untruth is an anti-social act and causes confusion in the mind of both the speaker and listener and leads to anti-social behaviour. Telling lies hurts us as well as others in a subtle, but very real way.

            One great distinction between humankind and the rest of the animal kingdom is the ability to choose how to behave, rather than just to follow the lower instincts (the law of the jungle). A human being is also able to recognize past, present and future and to take note of changes occurring over time.

            A quotation used in the lesson to stimulate thought and questions may later come to mind to provide guidance and choice in a life situation. Short Term Pain for Long Term Gain: Choosing to refer to this higher level of awareness and to consciously exercise moderation in our behaviour leads to better health and greater contentment. The value of truth can also be taught through story telling which promotes curiosity, optimism, fairness to all and noble ideals. It also aids the understanding of the value of honest speech and self-analysis.

Values Related to Truth

o       Accuracy

o       Curiosity

o       Discernment

o       Fairness

o       Fearlessness

o       Honesty

o       Integrity

o       Intuition

o       Justice

o       Optimism

o       Purity

o       Quest for knowledge

o       Reason

o       Self Analysis

o       Self Awareness

o       Sincerity

o       Spirit of enquiry

o       Synthesis

o       Trust

o       Truthfulness

o       Determination

o       Unity of thought

o       Word and deed

 

Love

            Love is not an emotion, affected by the sub-conscious mind, but is a spontaneous, pure reaction from the heart.

            It is the power of love which causes one person to wish happiness for another and take pleasure in their well-being. A beneficial energy (love) is directed towards the other person. As this energy flows through our own body first, it also enhances our own health.

It is the power of love which causes one person to wish happiness for another and take pleasure in their well-being. A beneficial energy (love) is directed towards the other person. As this energy flows through our own body first, it also enhances our own health. Love is unconditional, positive regard for the good of another. It is giving and unselfish. Love is essential if children are to grow up healthy in mind and body. Love is the unseen undercurrent binding all the four values.

            When the mind is turned away from selfishness, the ‘heart’ opens, and love flows. Love is energy, not an emotion, and is inherent in every breath. It is the motive force of the physical body and is enhanced through breathing exercises. The component of group singing in the Programme promotes harmony, co-operation and joyfulness. In singing a child may experience the sweetness of love. Love may also be fostered through story telling and activities which provide young people with the opportunity to care for other people, animals, plants and objects.

Values Related to Love

§         Acceptance

§         Affection

§         Care

§         Compassions

§         Consideration

§         Dedication

§         Devotion

§         Empathy

§         Forgiveness

§         Friendship

§         Generosity

§         Gentleness

§         Humanness

§         Interdependence

§         Kindness

§         Patience

§         Patriotism

§         Reverence

§         Sacrifice

§         Selflessness

§         Service sharing

§         Sympathy

§         Thoughtfulness

§         Tolerance

§         Trust

 

 

Non-Violence

            For the non-violent person, the whole world is his family When the former four values are practiced (i.e. the conscious mind is keenly aware, love is flowing, there is peace and actions are right) life is lived without harming or violating anything else. It is the highest achievement of human living encompassing respect for all life -living in harmony with nature, not hurting by thought, word or deed.

            Non-violence can be described as universal love. When truth is glimpsed through intuition, love is activated. Love is giving, rather than grasping and in allowing our stream of desires to subside, inner peace develops and right conduct is practiced. This results in nonviolence i.e. the non-violation of the natural laws which create harmony with the environment.

            Non-violence is taught through quotations, story telling and group activities. True knowledge is that which establishes harmony and synthesis between science on the one hand and spirituality and ethics on the other.

Values Related to Non-Violence

Psychological:

v     Benevolence

v     Compassion

v     Concern for others

v     Consideration

v     Forbearance

v     Forgiveness

v     Good Manners

v     Happiness

v     Loyalty

v     Morality

v     Universal Love

 

Social:

 

v     Appreciation of other cultures & religions

v     Bother/Sisterhood

v     Care of Environment

v     Citizenship

v     Equality

v     Harmlessness

v     National Awareness

v     Perseverance

v     Respect for Property

v     Social Justice

 

            Spiritual knowledge is also very importance for students and people in the society. Living in a way which causes as little harm as possible to oneself, other people, animals, plants and the planet, is a sign of a well-integrated, well-balanced personality. Such a person is well tuned to the spiritual aspect of humanity and is in touch with an inner happiness which is permanent and part of one’s real nature.

It is through our universal or spiritual aspect that we may experience:

Ø      A feeling of awe and wonder for the universe

Ø      A feeling of the unity of all

Ø      The desire to improve the quality of life for everyone

Ø      A sense of being part of a larger whole

Ø      A feeling of oneness of the planet and love for everything on it

Ø      An awareness of an underlying order to Creation

Ø      Love and respect for the diversity of the human family

            Learning takes place through lesson plans based on practical, meaningful and fun activities using the five components of:

Stories – about life, identity & relationships;

Quotations, poems and prayers;

Songs and music;

Silent sitting – exercises leading to inner calm and peace;

Activities e.g. drama, discussion, games, role play, community service, etc.

 

            In working through the lessons that comprise these components, the importance of the triple partnership (Student, Teacher and Parents) for education becomes apparent:

·         Teachers will inspire children in their schools, if they are value conscious adults

·         Parents’ example affects the conduct of their children, and

·         Children when reaching a certain age need self-discipline to balance their generally natural exuberance.

CONCLUSIONS

            According to our Indian tradition and culture teacher is the third God. He has a pivotal role in the process of teaching and learning. He is a guide, philosopher, mother, father, god, architecture and model. Education is the solution for all types of problems. With the help of education we can solve any types of problems in the society. Through education it is easy to inculcate values in the students and in the people. Without human values we can’t survive in the world in the peaceful manner and we can’t enjoy life. So give importance for human values.

Reference:

1.      Value Education, Dr. Venkataiah, Editor, APH Publishing Corporation, 5, Ansari Road, Daryaganji, New Delhi – 110 002, First Edition, 1998.

2.      Value Education in India, Usha Rai Negi, Editor, Published by association of Indian Universities, AIU House, 16 Kotla Mark, New Delhi – 110 002, 2000.

3.      National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2000). The National Reading Panel: Reports of the Subgroups.

4.      www.sathyasaiehv.org.uk/

 

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