MUVEENA A/P THURAIRAJU
MC210112819
The basic definition of education is ‘Bunch of Values’. Swami Vivekananda says, “We
want that education by which character is formed of mind increased, the intellect is expanded
and by one can stand on one’s feet.” Today`s education in a way leads us astray in the direction
of materialism, which makes the division of people as high and low, whereas the ancient India
education established unity and concord of humanity. Our present-day education aims only at
scoring high marks for the students to become either a doctor, or a Lawyer, or an Engineer, or
other professional. Mostly the aim is to earn maximum money possible. Education does not aim
of imbibing human values. Therefore, there is an urgent need to re-introduce value-based
education dealing specifically with human values, to redesign the fabric of our educational
system. A child's mind is like soft clay and can be molded to any desired shape. Thus, this is the
right time and age to impart value education so that the right impressions formed in the child's
mind will guide him throughout his life. Such life will be based on moral and just principles.
Vivekananda’s educational thought can be effectively embedded into a person’s character.
Swami Vivekananda was not only a social reformer, but also the educator. His contribution to
the awakening of modern India is critique in its kind and quality. If education is viewed as the
most powerful instrument of social change, his contribution to educational thought is of
paramount importance. He declines education as ‘the manifestation of perfection that is already
in man.’
Vivekananda criticized the present system of education. Vivekananda advocated ‘man-
making education’s man is the highest temple. Vivekananda believes that “education is the
manifestation of the perfection already in man.” “Perfection is already inherent in man and
education is manifestation of the same.” Knowledge resides within the individual himself. All
knowledge –secular or spiritual-is in the human mind. Knowledge is inherent in man, no
knowledge comes from outside, it is all inside. An individual simple discovers the knowledge
inherent in him. When the covering is being slowly taken off, learning takes place. Man must
discover himself. The discover will help the expansion and enrichment of the soul. The student
has himself to discover, himself to learn and himself to teach. Thus, according to Vivekananda,
education is the discovery of the inner self. For Vivekananda education is not the amount of
information put into one’s brain, which may be there undigested all one’s life. It is rather a life-
building assimilation of ideas. As Him “If you have assimilated five ideas and made them as
your character, you have more education than any man who has got by heart the whole library.
If education were identical with information, the libraries would be the greatest sages in the
world and encyclopedias the greatest Rishis.”
MUVEENA A/P THURAIRAJU
MC210112819
Since the world is becoming a global village because of technology, it is important that
students can relate well to people from different countries, races, and religions. There is a
greater need to acquire a subtle understanding of the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda on
learning to live together and in universal brotherhood. Widespread awareness of his thoughts
and ideas amongst teachers and would-be teachers is particularly important as they have the
responsibility of educating the young. All teachers and educationalists should be reflecting on
them own teaching and asking themselves, “Am I teaching my students how to learn? What
skills am I giving my students that will help them adapt new situations? What opportunities am I
giving my students to relate to others successfully? What guidance am I giving my students to
enable them to make wise choices after due reflection? At this juncture the concept of education
given by Swami Vivekananda seems more vital than ever before. If we strengthen our students
imparting proper values, then definitely our society will be strengthened. So, value 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.
According to Him man is a compound of animality, humanity and divinity. The aim of
education should be to help him grow from the animal to the divine state, through self-effort,
self-realization, and proper training. If modern India has failed in any domain, it is undoubtedly in
the arena of producing genuine human beings, the key component of developed society,
through a perfect education system. Today we live in twenty first century. It is an age of
inventions and makes innovations. Swamiji’s educational thought has very great significance
today because modern education has lost much of its connection with the values of human life.
Therefore, he suggested that education should not be for stuffing some facts into the brain but
should aim at reforming the human mind. True education to him, was not for the carrier, but for
the contribution to the nation. He is no more but he will be remembered for ever on this
Universe. His missions and his preaching will continue inspiring the coming generations.
According to Him, if we want to make our students as a moral human being, school
curriculum is one of the best ways to serve this purpose. Because he thinks that moral values
can be inculcated among our students through a value-based school curriculum. Vivekananda
suggested some important moral values which should be included in our school curriculum.
Unconditional Love and Kindness: In most cases, if you love someone, he or she will love
you back in return. This, however, is not the real meaning of love. Love should be
unconditional. With more love in the world, kindness will follow and replace cruelty.
MUVEENA A/P THURAIRAJU
MC210112819
Honesty: Students must be taught that dishonesty and cheating is wrong and will get you
nowhere in the future. As a student, one is only hurting himself or herself by cheating,
because this action will eventually catch up to you in the end with bad consequences.
Hard Work: Nowadays, so many students want to cheat and cut corners in their studies,
because they are lazy and do not place any value on hard work. This thinking must change.
Respect for Others: Unfortunately, in our highly competitive dog eat dog society; many
people will tread on others to get ahead in life. Respect for others should include respecting
different religions, races, sexes, ideas, and lifestyles.
Co-operation: To achieve a common goal, it is necessary for all people to work together. If
this is not done, a few people may profit, but the result for everyone will be a failure. I still
believe in the motto, “united we stand and divided we fall.”
Our history and mythology taught us of excellent value education. But the importance of
providing value education is felt necessary today because the present system of education
cannot contribute much to the individual and social development.
