 GOALS, ROLES AND VALUES

Prof. B. Ganguly, Head, Department of Education in Science & Mathematics and Dean (Academic), NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi- 110016 (24th September, 1990)

- The `Asset' or `Resource' are concrete terms and would be possible to attain. If It becomes possible to improve human beings as asset or resource, It would take care of all aspects. Otherwise aim towards abstract attainment will lead us no where.

- What is required today is the value judgement. In order to attain this, only change in the content of the textbook only will not suffice. Education must be free from authoritative teaching. It must encourage them to thinking and questioning, which are the only two tools of learning. Without these tools, learning will never be possible and attainment of values will remain far off.

- Only "Right to Work" is not enough. One should attempt for "Right to Work with dignity". In our country, most of the people do not have any work. Some professions are considered more respectable than others. In a village or a city, a bad lawyer or a poor doctor of a locality will be invited in the school or college functions, but skillful farmers, cobblers and carpenters will never be asked to enter.

Dr. Ramjee Singh, Professor & Head, Department of Gandhian Thought, Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur - letter dated 29.9.90

- From the point of view of making education rooted in our culture and for the unity and integrity of the nation, the committee must emphasise the need of greater appreciation of the need of synthetic culture of India. Students should know the basic and common elements of all religions. In a multi-religious and multi-racial country, the knowledge of synthesis of different strands of Culture is necessary. Indian culture is a culture of peace. The perspective paper should have thrown light on the role of Education for Peace. There is a great need of directing our efforts to generate and strengthen forces of understanding, harmony and peace.

Shri Malcolm S. Adiseshiah, Chairman, Madras Institute of Development Studies, 79, 2nd Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Madras-600020 (20th September, 1990)

- The section on basic moral values ignores two important variables. As long as we have an unjust, inequitable, and exploitative society, education will mirror this society. Second there is the "hidden curriculum" which is life example of the teacher and the parent, which sets the tone to the learning of basic moral values by the student.

Dr. C.M. Bhatia, Ex-Vice-Chancellor, University of Allahabad, 8, Vijay Nagar Colony, Agra-282004 (25th September, 1990)

- Creative training has been given no place. It is not value education. It is the development of devotion to duty and discipline epitomised by a strong will.

Prof. K.L. Chopra, Director Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (1st October, 1990)

- National integration on emotional plane being a very fundamental role of the new education policy, lateral movements of teachers and taught should be encouraged. Clearly, a link language must be mandatory requirement. And, the "Neighbourhood School" concept must be enforced. Further, universalisation of education should automatically imply common standards/principles for the educational system in the whole country. Management of this system could still be localized but it must adhere to nationally agreed politics.

Prof. G.S. Mudambadithaya, Senior Assistant Director, Department of Pre-University Education, Technology Education Buildings, Bangalore - Letter dated 1.10.90

- Imparting value based education is under played in the paper. Teaching of literature has not been mentioned at all.

Dr. (MS.) L.S. Saraswathi, 118, Usman Road, Madras - Letter dated (26th September, 1990)

- Educational research or the research related to learning and teaching should be examined carefully. The present position of over- emphasis on identifying and exaggerating defiencies in the tradition and culture that is Indian should give way to a position of emphasizing identification of assets of the tradition and culture and finding ways of integration of these in the teaching/learning process in the system. Studies on the teaching and learning processes in oral culture especially in the process of socialisation could help to lay the foundation.

Shri B.V. Moghe, Adarsh College, Shivajinagar, Hingoli-431513 Letter dated 28th September, 1990

- The suggestions of providing "Hidden Curriculum" and "Value based Education" at various stages of Education require still more emphasis. The fast inflow of western consumerism be checked and Gandhian Philosophy be sprouted through curricula.

Shri N. Satyanarayana, President Constructive Forum, 39, Babar Road, New Delhi-110001, Letter dated 8.10.90.

- Stress should be made in the policy on the human values by effectively incorporating the histories and stories of our great leaders (especially Indian) in the text books of the students so that they can learn and imitate their great leaders.

Dr. D.A. Ghanchi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, North Gujarat University, Patna-384265 - Letter dated 5th October, 1990.

- It is possible to involve the community and alumni in formal teaching as well as building up links between the school and community in a number of ways. School adoption by corporate bodies, industries and business is an untapped resource.

Professor Dr. Omkar N. Wakhlu, Consulting Engineering, Buchwara, Old Gangribal Road, Srinagar-190001 - Letter dated 30.9.90

- The incorporation of traditional knowledge and wisdom is an excellent suggestion. But before we even talk about it, let steps be taken to prepare and select proper reading material in these areas. This is most important.

Shri Kalayanbhai T. Shah, 18 New Brahma-Kshatriya Society Ellis bridge, Ahmedabad (26th September, 1990)

- In primary education curriculum, insertions about some basic values of life could be included in the form of stories, poems etc. in the text books. This will serve as seeds for the development in total growth. It should also be desirable to include imparting of Indian cultural values by adding lives of saints, seers, great national leaders, poets, musicians, artists etc.

- In view of the change in national, political, economic and social policies, it would be advisable to impart basic knowledge of democracy and decentralisation of power to students and also to make them aware of their role as citizens, their rights, responsibilities and duties in the holistic perspective.

Shri G.M. Verma, C-4/H/164-B, Janak Puri, New Delhi (October 4, 1990)

- Aims of education should be all round development of child, development- of national mind, self-reliance, scientific out-look, social transformation, appreciation and enrichment of Indian culture., and spiritual and moral development.

Dr. Veeramani Subramoniam, B-1/14, Mahavir Shikhar, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Mulund West-400080 (30.9.90)

- The need of the hour is an education system based on the Gandhian values.

Shri A.K. Panda, Harijan Adibbasi Dina Daridra Nari Seba Sangh, Vill/PO Bachhipur, Via Brahmangaon, Distt. Balasore, Orissa (29th September, 1990).

- Value orientation and character reflection in education is still a pious and not a pragmatic policy concern. Education has to take effective measures to check the total erosion of values and break down of character.