APPENDIX K : INCLUSION OF GANDHIAN PHILOSOPHY AND WAY OF LIFE IN THE CURRICULA OF HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITY STAGES
It will be recalled that this question was raised at the 21st meeting of the Board held in February 1954 at the instance of Shri K.S. Vaidya, Speaker of the Hyderabad Legislative Assembly. The Board accepted the view of the Chairman that the question should be considered at the 22nd meeting after some preliminary work had been done on it. The question is, therefore, placed before the Board for consideration.
The Government of India have from time to time received suggestions for taking steps to introduce "Gandhian Philisophy and Way of Life" in the curricula of High school and University courses. While many State Governments have, on their own, done something in this direction, it will be appreciated that there is need for formulating a sound and well-conceived all-India policy and approach in the matter. As a preliminary to a study of the question, all State Governments and universities were requested to furnish material on the following points:
(a) An account of the steps that may already have been taken to introduce the subject of Gandhian Philosophy and Way of Life in some form in the curricula of High school, College/University courses:
(b) the syllabuses drawn up for the purpose for various classes;
(c) any suggestions for- framing an all-India programme in the matter; and
(d) names of persons who have made a special study of the question from educational point of view and who call be approached to give advice in the matter.
A summary of the replies received from the State Governments and universities in the matter is attached (Annexure).
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ANNEXURE Summary of the replies received from State Governments and universities on the question of inclusion of Gandhian philosophy and Way of Life in the curricula of High schools and University stages.
STATE GOVERNMENTS Andhra The proposal will be placed before the Board of Secondary Education for Andhra State for its views and the report of the State Government will be sent in due courses.
(a) No special steps have been taken to introduce the subject in a definite form in High schools. The ideals are, however, nurtured in the process of educational system and several subjects, e.g., social studies etc., deal with the Gandhian Philosophy of Life.
(b) No special syllabus has been drawn up.
(c) Extra-curricular activities like Scouting, N.C.C., First aid, Junior Red Cross play a significant role in inculcating the ideals of Gandhiji.
Education in Gandhian Philosophy and Way of Life does not entirely lend itself to a classroom treatment. Gandhian Philosophy of Life, is a way of life, in which the human qualities, virtues and mental attitudes have to be nurtured, cultivated and developed by way of living. If there are good teachers, cheerful and enthusiastic and well disciplined elders, young men would follow their example and this would go a long way towards inculcating in them, truthfulness, honesty, ahimsa, moral courage, love of labour and of human being. There is sufficient literature on the subject in English both for pupils and teachers.
(d) There is no special person of outstanding merit who has made a study of the question from the educational point of view.
Assam No steps have so far been taken and no syllabuses drawn up to introduce the subject.
(c) An all-India programme of rigid uniformity would not be practicable. Nor is it advisable to have it merely as a subject for academic study.
Bombay No systematic study of Gandhian Philosophy has been included in the syllabus at any stage. Steps are, however, being taken to reorient the school
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syllabus on basic, lines by introducing activities such as "safai", community work, craft etc. The Government are of the opinion that the best way of providing facilities for the teaching of this subject would be to introduce books specially written on it as supplementary readers at different stages. If the Centre prepares such books, the State Government would be glad to introduce them in appropriate standards.
Names of experts suggested:
1. Acharya S. R. Bhise,
Principal, S.P. Hakimji High School,
Bordi, Distt. Thana.
2. Acharya S. J. Bhagwat,
C/o Sulabba Rashtriya Granthamala.
Tilak Road, Poona-2.
3. Shri Maganbhai Desai,
C/o Gujarat Vidyapith,
Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-9.
4. Shri Jugatram Dave,
Swaraj Ashram, Vedchi,
District Surat.
5. Shri R. S. Hukerikar,
Chairman, Bombay Legislative Council,
Bombay.
West Bengal No systematic attempt has been made to introduce the subject in the curricula of schools, though textbooks in Bengali literature include Mahatma Gandhi's Life and Teachings. The subject is also discussed in educational institutions on his birthday. Good books on the subject are usually recommended for a prize or libraries. It is felt, however, that incorporation of Gandhian Philosophy and Way of Life. into schools curricula may not be the most effective way of their propagation.
(c) The observance of "Gandhi Weeks" beginning from 2nd October and 30th January, with such programme of activity as may focus the interest of teachers and students on Gandhian way of life.
Names of experts suggested
1. Sri Bejoy Kumar Bhattacharya,
Sikshaniketan,
P.O. Kalanavagram, Distt. Burdwan,
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2. Sri Priya Ranjan Sen, M.L.A.,
1, Dover Lane, Calcutta.
3. Sri Nirmal Kumar Bose,
Department of Anthropology,
Calcutta University, Calcutta.
Rajasthan Courses are prescribed by the University of Rajputana and the answer is the same as that of Rajputana University.
Saurashtra Steps are being taken to introduce Gandhian Philosophy and Way of Life in High school standards below Matric in the following way:
1. By arranging discourses on the life of Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders.
2. By introducing community spinning, community prayers and community labour.
3. By inculcating love for Khadi.
4. By making available the necessary literature in Libraries and Reading rooms.
5. By encouraging a study of the biographies of great men of all nations.
6. By introducing all that Basic education means.
7. By making the entry of Harijan students in schools a requisite condition for the continuance of the school or, if it is a school receiving grant-in-aid, for the continuance of the grant.
8. By arranging radio programme or Children's sending batches of teachers to place like Sevagram, Bochasan and Vedchhi.
9. By encouraging the study of Hindi.
10. By arranging Labour camps, social service camps, and so on.
(d) Names of experts suggested :
1. Shri Nanabhai Bhatt have made a special study of the
2. Shri Manubhai Pan- subject from the educational
choli. point of view.
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Travancore-Cochin (a) No steps have been taken to introduce the subject in High school or University courses, though in a simple way, Gandhiji's life, and teachings have been included in the lessons in Readers prepared by the Government.
(b) No syllabus has been drawn tip.
(c) Syllabus may be drawn up by a Central body of experts and communicated to States so that the detailed Readers in English and the mother-tongue in various grades could be prepared accordingly.
(d) There is no person in the State who has made a special study of the question from the educational point of view.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Government High School, Port Blair is affiliated to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and the decision rests with the latter.
Bhopal State Educational institutions are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, Ajmer, which has not so far introduced the subject in the High schools and Intermediate syllabuses.
(c) In order to work out the scheme on an all-India basis, it is suggested that the subject be included as a part of the language and text.
(d) Names of experts suggested
1. Shri D.I.Lal, Director of Education, Bhopal.
2. Shri U. N. Bhatoley, Principal,
Government Agricultural College, Sehore.
3. Shri J.R. Shrivastava, D.I.S. (East) Bhopal.
Vindhya Pradesh High school and Intermediate classes are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education and Degree classes to the Agra University. Hence the syllabuses drawn up by them are followed.
(c) In order to frame an all-India programme, the Gandhian Philosophy and Way of Life should be made a compulsory paper for all examinations conducted by different bodies incorporated in India. Two types of courses are recommended :
(i) Basic, containing all subjects of Gandhian Philosophy and Way of Life to be studied in all under-graduate and graduate classes ; and
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(ii) Specialised, containing a special study of any one aspect.
The all-India programme should be framed in the light of discussions and deliberations at the proposed meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education.
(d) Names of experts suggested :
1. Shri Banarsi Dass Chaturvedi, M. P.
2. Shri Chaturbhuj Pathak, Tikamgarh (V. P.)
3. Shri Mahendra Kumar Manav, (Chhatarpur) Rewa.
4. Shri Sivanand,
Satna, Rewa.
5. Shri S. N. Jha, Lecturer,
Agriculture Darbar College, Rewa.
6. Shri P. S. Mathur, Vice-Principal,
Maharaja College, Chhatarpur.
UNIVERSITIES. Agra Steps have been taken to introduce Gandhian Philosophy in the degree courses. The Ethical Philosophy of Gandhiji has been a part of the syllabus in Ethics for about two decades.
For the purpose of drawing up syllabus for General education it is suggested that Professors from different State universities should be invited for the purpose:
(d) Names of experts suggested: 1. Shri Krishna Kumar, Professor of Philosophy, D. A. V.College Kanpur, has devoted in a recent Hindi book on Ethics, a chapter each to both Bhagwad Gita and Gandhism in relation to Western Ethical thought.
2. Dr. Dhawan of Lucknow University :Thesis on "Political Philosophy of Gandhi" Prepared for his Ph. D
3. Dr. B. L. Atreya of Banaras Hindu University.
4. Shri Kusham Kumar, Convener, Board of Studies in Philosophy, Agra University.
5. Prof. R. N. Kaul of Allahabad University may be invited for the, conference to prepare the syllabus.
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Aligarh No steps have so far been taken to introduce the subject in any form. The question of introducing Gandhian Philosophy as one of the types of Philosophy in B.A. and M. A. classes will be considered shortly and efforts will be made to introduce it as early as possible. Suggestions that would assist in framing such syllabus are invited from the Ministry.
(d) Name of expert suggested:
Dr. Zakir Husain.
Allahabad The question of introducing the subject has not been taken up so far.
Andhra Very little has been done to introduce the subject in High schools and colleges. After the introduction of Basic education in the State, steps have been taken by the State Government to acquaint the teachers in Training schools with Gandhian Way of Life.
No syllabus can be presented except the syllabus in Principles of Basic Education for B.Ed. students.
(c) For High schools-the following are some items which may be included under the syllabus of Social Studies.
(a) Gandhiji's Philosophy--Truth and non-violence, his views on means and ends--decentralisation a moral principle for Gandhiji-Spirit of Service
(b) Gandhiji as educationist and social reformer.
(c) Constructive programme etc.
For Arts Colleges The subject may be included as an optional subject under part III.
At the Intermediate level the subject may be taken up in combination with other subjects, such as, Indian History and Civics, or Indian History and Logic.
At the Degree stage, the subject may be introduced for Economics and History students.
For Training Colleges-In the event of these changes being put into effect, the subject should be made a compulsory subject in all Training Colleges in India.
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(d) Names of experts suggested:
1. Shri A. Phanendrudu, M.A., B.Ed.,
Basic Educational Officer, Kakinada.
2. Shri D. Venkataswami Naidu, M.A., B.Ed.,
Basic Educational Officer, Anantapur.
3. Shri D. Suryarao, M.A., B. Ed.
4. Shri A. Satyanarayana, M.A., B. Ed.,
Lecturer, Government Training College, Rajamundry.
5. Shri A. M. Gopal, M.A., B.Ed.,
Lecturer, A. C. College, Guntur.
Annamalai.--The subject is not prescribed for B.A., or post- graduate courses. Research work can, however, be done on different aspects of Gandhian Philosophy, if fellowships and studentships are made available to the University for this purpose. It is also suggested that an all-India Board consisting of the Heads of Departments of Philosophy at the several universities may be formed to plan and review the work from time to time.
Baroda.-(a) Social and Political philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi is being taught in M.A., Classes.
(b) Mahatma Gandhi's view on the doctrine of Karma, his interpretation of the Bhagwad Gita etc. are mentioned in the teaching of Ethics in the B.A. classes.
(c) Gandhiji's scheme of education should be taught in Teacher Training colleges of various universities.
(d) Name of Expert suggested Dr. M. S. Patil : He has obtained a Doctorate Degree on the Educational philosophy of Gandhiji.
Bombay No Information with regard to (a) (b) & (c),
(d) Names of experts suggested: 1. Mr. M. S. Patil.
2. Mrs. Usha H. Mehta.
3. Mr. M. V. Shah.
Gujrat (a) No such subject has been introduced.
(b) The question does not arise.
(c) No suggestion have been made.
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(d) Names experts suggested: 1. Shri Maganbhai P. Desai.
2. Shri Bharatau Kumarappa.
3. Shri J. C. Kumarappa.
4. Shri Kakasaheb Kalelkar.
Lucknow The subject has not been introduced and no syllabus prescribed for any examination of the University. The subject is, however, dealt with in lectures on Ethics and Social Philosophy, but there is no regular scheme, for teaching the subject of Gandhian Philosophy as yet.
Nagpur So far the subject has not been introduced for the University courses.
(d) Names of experts suggested:
1. Dr. E. Asiwatham, M.A., Ph. D.,
Head of the Department of Studies in Political Science,
Nagpur University.
Rajputana No steps have been taken to teach the subject, except by having a lesson in some texts of the High school classes and no special syllabuses have, been drawn up for the purpose.
(c) Suggestions for preparing all-India programme (i) One of Fischer's books may be prescribed for intermediate classes as a non-detailed study.
(ii) A similar book either in English or in Hindi translation may be prescribed for the Matriculation also.
(iii) There is no available book on the subject for B. A classes in Philosophy and a new one will have to be prepared.
(iv) At the M. A. level, the subject can be studied as part of contemporary Philosophy.