Book Review: Education in Human Values

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Education in Human Values BOOK REVIEW Education in Human Values, written by Somnath Saraf, Former Vice-Chancellor Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed Univ.) Andhra Pradesh, published by Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, reprint 2002, price Rs.375/-, total pages173. The book titled Education in Human Values written by Somnath Saraf, Former Vice Chancellor, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, starts with beautiful quotation “We reap what we sow; as is the desire, so is the fruit. The world will not pay more for our wares than the price we ourselves mark on them.” The author has begun the book by talking about the international scenario and has painted a dim picture of the global economy, social order and the problems created by them. The deep distress, widening economic

disparities, growing environmental degradation, conflict, political turmoil and its devastating effect on the mankind has been brought out quite well in the first chapter. According to him, vast explosion in science and technology in the past few decades has come to mankind with their own set of serious drawbacks. The social problem, the rate of crime, substance abuse, lack of tolerance, consumerism, lack of fellow feeling has grown at a tremendous pace. The author has narrated the international scenario vis-à-vis Indian scenario with regards to all the technological advancements. The only way out for buying peace in the light of all the troubles that have come along with the scientific explosion and technological advancement is through the introduction of value education in our education system. Value education according to him is the answer to minimize the turmoil that advancement and modern age has given us. In the second chapter, a brief account of pre-independence period and various commissions emphasizing the need of moral ethical education and their promotion in the education system has been covered. Talking about the post independence period and the committee under the Chairmanship of Shri Sri Prakasa, author has once again brought to the fore the need of inculcation of moral and spiritual values in the programme of education at different stages. The imbalances between the outer space that is science and the inner spaces that is spirituality, according to him, can be achieved only through value education. Identification of values has been discussed in a very systematic and logical way by the author giving right emphasis on the policy documents and various committees and their recommendations. Talking about the international level and the famous four pillars of learning, the author has re-emphasized the integration of human values and

their link with physical, intellectual, emotional, psychic and spiritual development of human personality. According to the author, no specific curriculum is required for value education. Instead, the programme of value education has to be an in-built system to be promoted through morning assembly, social services, celebration of important days, educational tours, NCC, scouting, yoga, games etc. The third chapter of this book starts with a beautiful quotient : ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step’. According to the author, it is never too late for bringing value education in our system which can be done through various programmes in educational institutions. The author has talked about different stages of development based on Piaget’s and Kohlberg’s theory of cognitive development and has given in detail the ways of including value education at different stages. Talking about the

techniques and methods of imparting value education, the author has re-emphasized the fact of morality being caught and not being taught. Various activities and programmes that can be taken up for the promotion of value education have been listed. Some of them being: thought for the day, morning prayer, group singing, project work, school club etc. The role of meditation in the control of mind and its increasing importance in today’s stressful life has been very aptly described. In the fourth chapter, emphasizing on the role played by the teacher, the author has equated the teacher to a kingpin. Stressing on her role, he has talked about the most powerful influence of a teacher’s personality on the mind of the child. The personality of the teacher according to him has a hidden curriculum of value education and the students can take a silent message from it. While describing the

role of the teacher as most important, reference has been made of great Indian saints several times. Swami Vivekanand’s contribution towards education and value education has been repeatedly mentioned. Laying emphasis on the significant role of the teacher in imparting value education, the need of having real good dedicated teachers has been re-emphasized. In the fifth chapter of this book, parent teacher cooperation has been talked about as the anchor for inculcation of good human values. Instances from the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Ishwar Chand Vidya Sagar have been quoted who were greatly influenced by the values they caught from their mothers. In the last chapter, the role of multimedia as a major agent for transformation has been discussed. The increasing role of information, communication on education which can help a great deal in imparting good human values without a definite curriculum has also been

stated. In the annexures, the author has talked about five core human values and their relevance. The role of psychology in value education, persons of eminence and their contribution towards value education, the role of story telling in promoting value education, and last but not the least, the role of attitude development, prayer and group singing in value education has also been mentioned. To conclude, the author has given importance to an open door policy between home and school and the roles of institute like Ramakrishna Mission for the promotion of moral and spiritual education. This book on Education in Human Values has been written in simple language. It is a useful book and makes interesting reading. The author has tried to give a comparative account of what was the system of value education in our country in the past what is the state now. In the light of the present

scenario, what should be done to stop the deteriorating value system of our society. Source: http://ranjanabhatia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/book-review/