EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF TODAY

INTRODUCTION

Education is the harmonious development of all our faculties. It continues through life. The essence of all education is self-discovery and self control. It helps an individual to discover ones own powers and limitations. Education is not merely to know things but particularly to know oneself, not merely how to do things but to do things what they ought to do.

Education which is imparted in childhood at the very early stage of development on minds is more important than the education received in the college and university. Creativity in the education system at primary level is very essential. Creation of self-reliance. Education is nothing but drawing within. It provides wider horizon to explore all possibilities to reach to the heights.

There is explosion of knowledge - internet, e-learning, globalization and the invasion of foreign universities. Concept schools, international schools, IIT training schools provide quality education blend with skills and personal attention.
The use of technology, media, project works, field trips enable students to gain lot of knowledge along with experience. One side there is progress, at the same time the gap between the rich and poor increases.

The so called eliminating culture is creeping in.

Education caters to the development of mind not the heart.

The scientific aggressiveness makes people to be self centered, inhuman, disrespectable, lack of dignity of labour etc,.

we are called to be artisans of peace, human development and compete with the private sectors.

1. Education is an endless journey through knowledge and enlightenment

At primary stage, education must nurture curiosity about the environment and integrate the thinking process with skills of hand, limb and body. Emphasis should be on exploration, innovativeness and creativity through activities. Students come to us often as rustic, raw products being exposed to the hard realities of the contemporary society. We need to knead them, mould them and send them out as finished products to change the face of the world and to make the world a better place to live in.

A.P.J.Abdul Kalam Said:

When learning is purposeful, Creativity blossoms, When creativity blossoms, Thinking emanates, When thinking emanates, Knowledge is lit, When knowledge is lit, Economy flourishes.

2. Focus of the education system should be to train students to become autonomous learners.
At the second stage, emphasis should be on experiments, problem solving and team work. A student should be motivated to become an active participant in the process of learning through observation, field studies, experiments and discussions.

Desire for lifelong learning and autonomous learning.

Each student is a replica of the society. They question a few; they are confused with some others; they have notions about a few; they are open to compromise with some; they react violently to some; they reject a few. We need to handle them with care and we need to enlighten them and enliven them.

Example: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Learning out - flight)

What is taught through practical knowledge is never forgotten.

What is heard remains 25% in the mind What is taught and seen remains 50% What is heard, seen and felt remains 75% What is heard, seen, felt and experimented remains 90%

3. Schools must provide mission oriented learning with value system

Education should be imparted with a view to the type of society that we wish to build. A modern democracy built on the values of human dignity and equality. Real education enhances the dignity of a human being and increases his or her self-respect. The three phases of our education should be Information Formation Transformation. The intellectually transmitted information is called as IQ (intelligent quotient).

The emotional quotient is called as EQ.

If IQ increase ones knowledge, EQ builds up ones wisdom. SQ (spiritual quotient) brings in harmony and integration in persons.

Values dont mean rituals and religious practices.

Eg: From the life of Gandhi( sharing).

We are responsible for our students in bringing them to the level of what to do with things that counts for

them and for others.

There is a distinction between what to do and who to be. The choice is between mental- how and spiritual now, between action orientation and inner mind-set. The inner disposition is more important and effective than the outer action.

4. Role and Responsibilities of a Teacher

There is no other profession in the world that is more important to society than that of a teacher (Kalam). It is a sacred vocation. The teacher leads the student.

From ignorance to wisdom,

From darkness to light and

From death to life.

 The student moves from intellectual ignorance to the wisdom of distinguishing the good from the evil From social darkness to the light of service and

leadership
From the death of giving up on the face of challenges and problems, amidst difficulties and obstacles to the life of enthusiasm, dedication and commitment in order to infuse new life into the society

We as teachers

Need to understand the back ground of the students. Put them in touch with their inner dynamic force Form them for social change Prepare them to be a potential leader

Build relationships
Change their outlook Counsel them Be perpetual seekers of intellectual integrity and universal compassion.

Students imbibe what the teacher is therefore it is our duty to inspire students by our behaviour.

a. Teaching=enlightening: Clarity in understanding the subject precedes efficiency in teaching. Students

participation is encouraged to make the classes effective.

b. Teacher and ongoing learning: An effective teacher is an efficient learner having insatiable thirst for knowledge.

1. The one who reads always leads.

2. Only when the teacher has the spirit of learning more and more, then the teacher could be effective in teaching.

3. Each teacher should keep up on-going learning and

keep abreast of the latest developments in her area of teaching not only content- wise but also in teaching methodology as well.

 c. Learning Yearning or yawning: Learning should be easy and at the same time effective. Need to use media to make our teaching interesting and innovative. Much depends on what is taught and how it is taught. d. Feed back mechanism or evaluation by he students: Students are the stake holders with regard to education and hence they should play a role in evaluating the quality of education. It will help the teachers to improve their teaching.

5. Methodology
To lead our students in the right path we should consider Student different from computer : Taking initiative, communication skills and knowledge in English. Skilled based training (earn while you learn) Teach them to bring out their innate and hidden talents. Neighborhood mission( out reach programmes). Environmental awareness (love, respect, and reverence for the environment and eco-friendly atmosphere). To encourage inclusive culture; To eradicate eliminating culture. To impart IT knowledge. To include manual labour along with study.

6. Funds available in government sectors

Various scholarships : Social welfare departments (SC, BC, OBC) Minority welfare department Tribal welfare department(ST) Female child welfare scheme Anganwadi Rajiv Saksharata Mission Satate government Pratibha puraskar Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Financial corporation http://www.uncf.org/ Mid day meal scheme Text books scheme

7. Conclusion
It is our duty to create in our institutions an atmosphere for

growth of the students holistically.

As competent, committed, and compassionate faculty

members take care of the individuals so that they become men and women for others, especially to the needy. We need to resemble our master and guru in all our dealings

non judgmental activity and value each one as precious and

unique one. Let us journey forward to spread the kingdom of God..

Questions for reflection

A teachers life lights many lamps. Could you specify some of the lamps that you have lit? What are the means adopted to move your schools from being educational centres to becoming knowledge and skill centres? Can you make an education system which will retain the smiles on the face of our children? How? How do we prepare our students to be autonomous learners? What kinds of society that you envisage and how will you inculcate values along with knowledge?

 What are the objectives of your educational institutions as per your provincial statutes? Were you able to implement them? If not what prevents you from doing it.? An effective teacher is the one who equips herself with adequate skill, knowledge also with latest technology. How do you equip yourself with adequate skill and knowledge? Are you efficient in handling virtual class rooms and make your teaching more effective with the use of mass media. How can you make your students from asking what can you do for me to what can I do for you.