Add Values To Build An Ethos

                                 HARIPRIYA R                    

Education has long been recognized as a central element in development. It is considered as a vital input in modernization where the developing countries like India began its drive for social and economic development since its independence. Education is important in a small country India, because it promotes the knowledge, skills, habits, values, or attitudes and understanding of the people in the country. And it is also considered as the backbone of the development of India. Therefore, greater concern and emphasis must be put into the means and ways by which education transfer the needed knowledge and information to students/children. It helps people to become a useful member of the society and to develop an appreciation of their culture heritage and live more satisfying human lives. There is an acute need for incorporative values on the realms of religion, education, social service, economics and politics in India. The term “Value” refers to a development of “heart”. It is not enough to find for Mother India a modern independent, secular, technological “herd” if, in the process she has lost her “heart”.1 “Value-Based-Education is highly needed in our modern society because our lives have become more miserable. The quantity of education has considerably increased, but the quality has decreased. Why? The number of educated people has reached at a high level, but murder, hatred, and selfishness have spread out like wildfire everywhere. Why? Many institutions are opened, but only few civilized people are produced. Why? Degrees are available for all, but the dignity has gone down. Why? Trained people are produced from many institutions, but sincere people are very few. Why? Many books are written; much research is done; many professional achievements are attained, but humanity is threatened. Why? Therefore, we need Value- Based-Education.”

Life without values is like ship without rudder. Values work as guidance system and help us reach our destination. Education without values or edification will fall short of achieving its goal. Mere teaching, learning,improving knowledge and skills without building character and mind may not contribute to the holistic development of children, which is a must for the world to become a better place.

In spite of the increasing literacy rate and more people receiving education, the crime rate is refusing to come down! The rise in crimes, violence and other destructive activities in the society can be ascribed to poor inculcation of values. It has been seen in the recent terrorist attacks in various parts of the world, that those who carried out the attacks were educated men and women. What they lacked was edification. Had they been thoroughly taught the values of human character, it is possible they would have shuddered to think of killing so many innocent people. Education policy makers need to lay more stress on education with much stress on imparting human values and edification. This will have better results than mere education. The need of the hour is to impart value based education. The stress should be on the values such as patience, honesty, tolerance, sympathy, and love for fellow brethren and sisters. The students must be indoctrinated to keep values as top priority. The youngsters need not only to be taught how to develop their skills, talents, and abilities, they must also be taught how to use these skills, talents and abilities for the welfare and betterment of all. Once values become everyone's priority in life, all the negative aspects of life will automatically dwindle. The world direly needs people with high values to make it a better place to live in