Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K January 2011 Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K January 2011

ISSN: 0976-3759
Journal of
School SocialPriceWork
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A National School Social Work monthly dedicated to networking of parents and teachers.
Volume VII Issue 08 Contents January 2011
Page
Editorial 02
Value Education:
The Need of the Hour Dr Saraswati Raju Iyer 03
Vidya and Values Mary Princess Lavanya 11
Values: So Near, Yet So Far Dr Ragini G P 16
Living Values Education Mahespriya L
Ranjit L 21
Essentials of Values Rajeswari M 25
Value Education and
Personality Development Amudha S 28
Value Education and Teachers Viji T 31
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Focus: Values Education

Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K
Hony. Special Editor: Dr Catherine Joseph,MA, MPhil, PhD,
Assistant Professor, Department of Social work,
Stella Maris College, Chennai.
Journal of School Social W ork,
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Note: Views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily the official view of the Journal.
January 2011 Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K January 2011 01
Editorial Values for Transformation
Values are the standards of behaviour honesty, integrity, acceptance of
Vidya and Values
in day-to-day activities and guiding differences and peaceful Mary Princess Lavanya A*
*Mary Princess Lavanya A, Lecturer, Department of Social Work, Patrician College
principles in critical life situations. coexistence. of Arts and Science, Adayar, Chennai-20. e-mail: princesslavanya80@gmail.com.
Values are ideal virtues and qualities There has been a revolutionary need Introduction as a child of society’s and parents’
that are primary doctrines that shape for values education and it is The phrase ‘value based education’, rules of conduct for being good.
the world’s outlook. In the 21st constantly increasing because of in wide use in present times comes (2) Moral judgment: learning to think
Century values education is the only greed and lack of unity in the society, closest in meaning to the Sanskrit reasonably about our ethics and
tool that could bring order, security behavioural disorders and violent word ‘Vidya’ which translates to that deciding on our moral standards.
and assured development in the acts of terrorism. In today’s world which illumines. Since the imparting (3) Moral feelings: the internalization
chaotic world. human values are either discarded or of knowledge dispels the darkness of of our moral beliefs to the degree
It is a programme of planned distorted. Only when the basic ignorance, over a period of time, that we feel shame and guilt when
educational action and a methodical ideologies are restored, world will be education also came to be known as we fail to do what we ‘should.’
effort deliberately framed to bring a better place to live in. ‘In order to ‘Vidya’. But, the highest goal of vidya (4) Empathy: the awareness of other
transformation in the society. It starts preserve, maintain and advance the as visualized by the seers and people’s situation, feelings, and
at home and continued in schools. It position of our country in the world, it seekers is to understand the Ultimate needs so that one is compelled to
begins with childhood and should be is imperative that there should be a Truth or Reality. The Vedic prayer, help those in need.
present throughout one’s life. comprehensive programme of value- ‘Asatoma Satgamaya (5) Confidence and knowledge:
The family system in India has a long based education starting from the Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya knowing the steps involved in
tradition of teaching values pre-primary level, embracing the Mrutyorma Amrutamgamaya’ helping others and believing that one
effortlessly. But westernization, entire spectrum of educational means: ‘Lead me from unreal to the is responsible for and capable of
urbanization, globalization and the process’ (Parliamentary Committee in real, from darkness to light and from helping.
fast changing roles of parents have India,1999). death to immortality.’ This gives us Meaning of value education
necessitated institutional intervention Values education is strongly the greatest self-confidence in Meaning of value education is wider,
through schools, colleges, religious recommended at all levels of formal performing our duties. It serves as a practicable and adaptable than
organizations and departments of and informal education. It is indeed constant reminder to each one about religious education or moral
governments to meet the rising an intervention technique to prevent one’s own goal. education, as no specific faith or
needs of the modern society. These the recurrence of scandals like CWG/ Modern theory religion reflects universal ethical,
activities focus on the development 2G spectrum and witch-hunting the Hogan (1973) believes that moral moral, social, cultural or spiritual
of children and young adults by whistle-blowers. Aren’t values in a behaviour is determined by five values. Education is all about
concentrating on core values like society the true indicators of the factors: connection. The liberally educated
compassion, humility, unity, simplicity, development of any nation? (1) Socialization: becoming aware person is able to make sense of the
02 Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K January 2011 Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K January 2011
11
world by making connections. Liberal
education is about nurturing the
human spirit, exploring human
freedom and realizing that education
is never really complete. In the act of
exercising our freedom, we do so in
such a way as to make a difference
in our world. Education without
goodness (that is without ethics) is
arrogant and dangerous. Unethical
behaviour thrives in darkness, and
can only exist when ‘ethical’ leaders
remain bystanders in the face of evil.
If we who have responded to the call
for educating the young have to
measure and assess our efforts we
need to look at how our institutions
nurture human freedom in the service
of humanity.
Value based education has expanded
from the medieval foundation of
education, to include a greater range
of human talent and a much more
inclusive number of human beings,
holding on to the dream that perhaps
someday everybody might be
liberated by an education that stands
in the service of human freedom.
While emphasizing on freedom, there
is a tendency to forget the ultimate
purpose of liberal education that is the
formation of qualities to help students
12 Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K
become decent human beings.
Objectives of education
àEducation for values should be
education for man-making and
character building.
àAny endeavor at education for
values should be oriented through
discipline and hard work.
à Education should always be
looked upon and translated as
religion itself but devoid of all
narrowness and superstition.
à It should always generate the
spirit of a broadened mind and
widened outlook.
à It should be directed towards
freedom of thought and expression.
à Values like co-operation,
tolerance, neighbourliness and
austerity should be exercised in right
earnest.
àThe true spirit of humanism that
speaks for an essential component
in value education should form an
inseparable part in the theory and
practice of education.
Values for living
A person learns many values as bye-
products of education. William
Cronon, the author of ‘Uncommon
Ground’ suggests 10 such values:
(1)They listen and they hear:
January 2011
Educated people pay attention to the mark of the educated. This
others and hear the emotion in the involves a cosmic consciousness
voice of the other; they can follow because part of the challenge of the
an argument and track logical modern world is to respect the
reasoning. The value learnt by an integrity of the world by replacing
educated person is that he makes what we as human beings have
an earnest effort to hear both words destroyed.
and feelings. (6)Rigour and truth seeking: A truly
(2)They read: Skilled readers educated person understands that
understand great works of art, music knowledge serves values. True
and athletic achievement and read rigour is noble but it is also
for the sheer joy of reading. They dangerous if it is not rendered
understand our world. humane. We must never forget that
(3)They can talk with anyone: When the gas chambers of Europe were
they talk they participate in invented by the educated.
conversation, ask thoughtful (7)Educated people are tolerant and
questions, and listen to the other’s humble: The liberally educated
point of view. person opposes parochialism and
(4)They can write: Educated people celebrates the wider world. They
know the craft of putting words embrace new cultures while
together. They can express what is honouring their own, and respect
in their hearts and minds so as to diversity.
teach, persuade or move the person (8)They strive to make the world a
who reads their words to think and better place: Learning to get things
reflect about life and their part in it. done in the world in order to leave it
(5)Educated people are problem in a better shape is one of the
solvers: The ability to solve practical implications of education.
problems, to be comfortable with (9)Educated will examine at the end
new technologies, to look at a of each day. Reflection and
complicated reality and break it into reviewing one’s own action is a vital
pieces, figure out how it works and value.
then put it back together again, is 10)The educated person nurtures
Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K January 2011 13
 and empowers. The liberally Physical values
educated person understands that These values makes an individual,
we belong to a community and that they are: cleanliness, contentment,
the wellbeing is interwoven. courage, diligence, honesty, hope,
Present scenario and simplicity.
Modern education has been a Social values
gradual erosion of values. CharacterMost important values to create a
training and value education arte peaceful world, values like Courtesy,
ignored. Education stresses on brother/sisterhood, freedom,
acquiring knowledge and testing gratitude, justice, hospitality,
through examinations. According to sympathy and tolerance are
Justice Ranganathan Mishra, ‘all of essential.
us are experiencing to our horror Moral values
degrading human behaviour in The most important to reach out to
society every day. The deteriorationothers by possessing the following
is gradually becoming sharper and values: Honesty, integrity, sense of
unless this fall is immediately arrested
responsibility, compassion, non-
and a remedial measure is found out judgmental and charity.
and enforced, the situation would not Spiritual values
improve.’ According to Maslow’s hierarchical
This circumstance can be changed need theory one has to reach the
only if we focus on the values that state of self-actualization, and these
are classified into different categories
values help in reaching that stage.
at different levels. They are: Purity, contentment,
Classification of values devotion to god, self-discipline,
Values control of the senses, meditation and
detachment.
Physical Behavioural Behavioural values
Friendliness, discipline, politeness,
truthfulness, empathy and punctuality
Moral Social
are values which are essential to
Spiritual make our everyday life easier.
14 Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K January 2011
Inculcation of values with holiness. Holiness must take root
àPhysical education: Games, sports and grow in the minds and hearts of
and health education. youth everywhere. The good and
àEmotional education: Harmony, godly must endeavour to promote this
friendliness, courage. task. The sublime significance of
àMental development: Impartiality, Vidya or higher learning can be
calm and silence, pursuit of truth, grasped only when the pure mind
scientific temper. throws its revealing light. By means
àAesthetic development: Beauty, of such vidya human being is
joy, creative activity, art. transformed into a purified soul.
àMoral and Spiritual Development: Education should be a process of
Sincerity, faithfulness, gratitude and acquiring true knowledge, and
honesty. changing the biased attitude that
Conclusion bridles us. When there is a pure mind
Value education has the capacity to and will power nothing is impossible
transform a diseased mind into a very to achieve. In planning for values and
young, fresh, healthy, vibrant and good objectives, the teacher and
attentive mind. What the world needs student or the guru and disciple will
today is neither a new order, a new have to coordinate and work together.
education, a new system, a new Such cooperation was enshrined
society nor a new religion. The ages ago, which is possible now and
remedy lies in a mind, in a heart filled for the ages to come.
References:
Hogan R (1973): Moral Conduct and Moral Character: A Psychological Perspective.
Psychological Bulletin, 79, 217-232.
Kumar K(1994): Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in Z. Morsy (ed.) Thinkers on
Education, Volume 2, Paris: UNESCO.
Rajput J S(2002): Value Education in Indian Schools’ Experiences and Strategies
of implementation, National Consultation on Value Education.
http//www.dilsedesi.org
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Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K January 2011 Journal of SCHOOL SOCIAL W O R K January 2011