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 19^th 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