Swami Vivekananda's views on Education
To Swami Vivekananda (1863 – 1902), education signified
‘man-making’. That was his one and only undertaking of life. Vivekananda was of
the firm conviction that the amelioration of masses was possible only via education.
Swamiji’s views on tutoring, uncover a beneficial, matter-of-fact and an all-inclusive
approach to learning. The true aim of education for Swamiji was the materialization
of the moral and spiritual welfare and the fortification of humanity, notwithstanding
background, belief, race or era. Through his design of education, one could get
to build a dominant nation, imbued with peace and harmony.
Vivekananda was very swift in realizing that
mankind was passing through a predicament. The incredible stress on the
scientific and perfunctory ways of life was fast plummeting man to the rank of
a meager contraption. Moral and religious values were being undermined. The elementary
codes of evolution were being blatantly ignored. Conflicts of ideals, manners
and habits were pervading the atmosphere. Disregard for everything old was the
fashion of the day. Vivekananda sought the solutions of all these social and
global evils through education. With this end in view, he felt the dire need of
awakening man to his spiritual self. It is a rather inquisitive inspection that
Swamiji’s concerns regarding the objectives or aspirations of education or his technique
of advance or its constituent parts, all emanate from his way of life, which
has its quay in Vedanta.
Swami Vivekananda, known in his formative years as
Narendra Nath Dutta was born in Calcutta in 1863 and died in 1902 at the age of
39. He was an honours graduate of the Calcutta University. He primarily preached
the revival of the Hindu religion through the obliteration of credulous beliefs
and practices. His religion consisted of humanism, sanguinity and peace. Conversely,
he advocated the revival of the Hindu Society through the arousal of the national
consciousness of the people. It was his efforts which not only gave a new lease
of life and international recognition to the Hindu religion, but also helped to
build the then prevalent system of education on a strong nationalistic base.
Vivekananda’s views regarding the aims of
education: Swamji said that education is the manifestation of the perfection
already there in man. Like fire in a piece of flint, knowledge exists in the
mind. Suggestion is the friction that brings it out. He advocated the exercise
of the mind in order to control the senses and instill ethical values. The
Indian system of education then was negative in character. It emphasised only
theoretical knowledge, which failed to develop the individual as a whole. He
said, education should develop the inner man and at the same time-free mankind
from poverty and helplessness.
The main principles contained in his theory of
education were formation of good habits and will-power, respect, self-reliance,
healthy influence of nature, healthy student-teacher relationship, collective
life of students and social service. For this purpose he advocated:
a) a knowledge of all branches of national culture
and
b) compulsory knowledge of the English language
and European science.
He also laid stress on technical training, to
improve national technology and to stop the general tendency to hanker after
jobs.
Vivekananda on Physical Education: Swamiji felt
that without appropriate physical training, self-comprehension or character
building was not likely. He stressed that it was unfeasible to maintain a sturdy
mind without having a tough body. To quote him: “You will be nearer to Heaven
through football than through the study of Gita. You will understand Gita
better by your biceps, your muscles a little stronger. You will understand the
Upanishads better and the glory of the Atman, when your body stands firm on
your feet and you feel yourself as man."
Vivekananda on Mass Education: Vivekananda said to
arouse the masses from their stupor, free and compulsory education must be
imparted to them. He said, the neglect of the masses was a great sin and this
in turn led to our downfall. For survival he laid stress on mass education
through the medium of the vernacular. The curriculum, he said, should include
subject like History, Geography, Literature, Science, General Knowledge and
mass culture.
Vivekananda on a National System of Education: The
scheme of studies should be built around the study of India's culture and
heritage, art, poetry, religion, history and languages.
Vivekananda’s attack on Casteism and
Untouchability: Swamiji wanted to establish optimum social harmony through
education. He said. "In religion, there is no caste; caste is simply a
social institution." According to him the main purpose of the caste system
was to give social status to every individual and bring about social
integration by providing every caste with the greatest opportunity to develop
themselves. Jawaharlal Nehru, an architect of modern India subscribed to
this view of Swami Vivekananda.
Close teacher-student relationship: Vivekananda
was in favour of a close and harmonious relationship between the teacher and
the students. That is why he greatly admired the Gurukul system of education of
Ancient India. The students, he said, should have both respect for their
teacher and be, at the same time, capable of free thoughts.
Vivekananda on Women’s Education: Swamiji was a staunch
advocate of women's education. He pointed out that India, by restricting her
women through too many taboos had turned them into mere reproductive machines.
A nation which does not respect its women cannot be great. Girls' education
should receive as much care as that of boys. Such education will enable them to
work for the economic, social and educational reform of the country, and to
provide leadership in different fields. So he recommended the establishment of
schools and hermitages for women. The curriculum was to consist of subjects
like vernacular, literature (including grammar), some English, sewing, cooking
and child care.
Education of the Backward Castes: As far back as
the 19th century Swamiji had realised the need for granting special
privileges in education for students belonging to the backward castes. He said
that if, as a result of heredity, the Brahmins were more intelligent and had
greater scope for education then they should also give the backward castes
scopes to-educate themselves; all the money meant for education should be spent
for the education of the backward castes.
The elucidation and scrutiny of Swamiji’s design
of education publicizes its practical, sensible and all-inclusive disposition. He
fervently affirms that if society is to be reformed, education has to reach
everyone: high and low, because individuals are the very constituents of
society. Conversely, Swami Vivekananda’s format of education, through which he
wanted to build up a powerful, is yet a far cry. It is of absolute consequence that
we confer solemn thought to his viewpoint on education and remind his clarion call:
‘Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached’.
Article contributed by: Adarsh Vidyarthi