“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.” These are one the finest thoughts of India’s eminent poet and educationist, Rabindranath Tagore.
Rabindranath Tagore was an institution himself. As a distinguished scholar, poet, political thinker and educationist, Rabindranath Tagore was a personality with ideas of nationalism, democracy, freedom and rationalism. His contribution to the field of Indian education is not only great but also relevant to the present.
Life History
Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 9, 1961 as the youngest son of Debendranath Tagore, a leader of the Brahmo Samaj. He did most of his education from Calcutta and at the age of seventeen was sent
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A lot of agricultural research was undertaken in this regard and steps were taken to remove malaria. Students were trained in making handicrafts, improved agricultural practices and animal husbandry .All these steps ensured income for the rural India. He chose the method of constructive rehabilitation of India.
Tagore also emphasised combining the study, work with fun. He organised picnics, games, music, theatre and celebrations of socio-cultural festivals like Hal Karshan and Van Mahotsav.
RELEVANCE OF TAGORE’S CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS EDUCATION IN THE PRESENT INDIA
Rabindranath Tagore’s philosophy of education mentions no economic burden and equal opportunities to all students was mentioned in biggest move of education in India, ie. Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Jha (1994) points out that Tagore’s vision of activity oriented school has inspired Gandhi’s idea on basic education. This has also influenced Vocationalisation of education which was clearly mentioned in Kothari Commission in 1964.
Tagore emphasised co- education in his school and university. He wanted men and women to undergo the same courses but brought in more practical courses for women. These ideas still holds true in this
... Education: An Introduction to Social and Political Aspects. 4th ed. New York & London: Longman, Inc., 1989.
Many great minds believe that education is a powerful tool. Investing in your education is the most valuable and most rewarding thing a person can do to secure their future. Influential people who have brought positive changes to the world have said: “The investment in knowledge pays the best interest”. (Franklin). “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. (Nelson Mandela). “A brighter future starts with an education”. (Montgomery).
Morris, Jerome., et al. Encyclopedia of Education. Ed. James W. Guthrie. 2nd Ed vol. 6. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 1961-1971. Opposing viewpoints in context. Web 25 April.2014
Education is knowledge obtained in order to reach one’s full potential. A human being is not in the proper sense until they are educated. Two commencement speeches, “Failure and Imagination” by J.K. Rowling and “Real Freedom?” by David Wallace, and an article titled “The 4-Stage Response to Low Student Achievement” by John Lemuel, all have several aspects of education in common and provide knowledge and inspiration about the real idea and necessity for education. In these works, they all use personal experiences, an informal tone, and provide motivation to show why education is imperative to the development and fulfilment of life. Education is not useful for monetary purposes alone.
Sharma, C L. Essentials of effective teaching. International Journal of Sociology & Social Policy. 15(6): 68-85. 1995.
Matheson, D (2008) An introduction to the study of education. 3rd ed. London: David Fulton Publishers Ltd.
Gandhi was a well knowledgeable and unique person who found hope in struggles that he never thought would shape who he was. Gandhi was born in a Hindu family, and even though he was the youngest he made a huge impact on others (“Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi” pg 3). He had his older brother who helped him with his education when his father passed away (“Mohandas Gandhi”). Gandhi was very religious even when he was little his brothers tried to make him eat meat (it wasn’t bad to eat meat in Hinduism when you are little), but he refused (“Mohandas Gandhi”). Gandhi respected his religion and was a respectful towards others.
Shaw, Jane S. "Education-A Bad Public Good?" The Independent Review 15.2 (2010): 241-56. ProQuest. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
According to Mahatma Gandhi, the education at schools were pretentious and created an atmosphere of anxiety, superiority in living which clashed with his ideology of self-restraint eventually such an education can only handicap the spirit of service and public work. In his opinion liberty in learning was superior than literary
Education is not to teach men facts, theories or laws, not to reform or amuse them or make them expert technicians. It is to unsettle their minds, widen their horizons, inflame their intellect, teach them to think straight, if possible, but to think nevertheless. Robert Maynard Hutchins
Education is generally seen as a formal process of instruction, based on a theory of teaching, to impart formal knowledge to one or more students (Cogburn, n.d.). Henceforth, individuals seek to acquire some form of schooling from pre-school through secondary school while others may go on to tertiary to better him or her in some way. A definition of education according to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary is that education is “a process of teaching, training and learning, especially in schools or colleges, to improve knowledge and develop skills.” Where education in the common parlance has become a process of adding layers of one’s store of knowledge, the true aim of education is to call forth that which is essential to the individual (White, 2006). Furthermore, and according to Coombs and Ahmed 1974, education is a continuing process, spanning the years from earliest infancy through adulthood and necessarily involving a great variety of methods and sources. Education also involves inculcating in students distinct bits of knowledge; therefore education is an additive process (White, 2006). It adds to an individual as well as it adds to a country through the individuals who are and would have been or are being educated. According to a study conducted by Olaniyan and Okemakinde 2008, education creates improved citizens and helps to upgrade the general standard of living in a society. Furthermore, education plays a key role in the ability of a developing country to absorb modern technology and to develop the capacity for self-sustaining growth and development (Todaro and Smith, 2012).
It is noticeable that the system of education is changing from time to time based on financial issues and how the world is growing. In the past, individuals taught the education system from the oldest member of the family to children, and their members were charging fees from the families that sent their children to them. Which meant that education was an important thing in all ages. Nowadays, the education is shaped to an official system run by professional people in governments and many countries invest high amounts towards education which makes evidence of how important it is in our current life. Every country has a different system of education based on their financial stability, government infrastructure and the standard of the government officials. It is noticeable that there is a big difference between the education in developing countries and the prevailing system in developed countries .In my essay I will discuss some reasons for these differences...
Mahatma Gandhi has had a lasting effect on our world today. His philosophy and ideals have been adopted by many prominent figures in society. A powerful leader, he helped two countries in their struggle for basic rights. Gandhi is an amazing example of the things that can be achieved without violence. He proved that satyagraha is a powerful path to victory. Since his time many leaders have been inspired by his example and anyone who tries to change the world for the better using peaceful means owes something to Gandhi.
Education is man’s most valuable possession: it is the concept through which one’s love for learning stems, and the equipment used to pave an individual’s path to success. Although easily influenced by the opinions of others, education is one of the few concepts that neither internal nor external stress can strip from our being. The future of our society lies in the hands of our educators; the values and morals instilled by such figures govern the actions of the earth’s people.
Rabindranath Tagore Asia’s first Noble Laureate was born on 7 May, 1861 at Jorasanko in the heart of Calcutta. His family was famous for its progressive socio-religious and cultural innovations during 19th Bengal Renaissance. He was the fourteenth and youngest son of Maharishi Debendranath Tagore and Sarda Devi and grandson of Dwarkanath Tagore. His grandfather Dwarkanath was a religious and social reformer and worked unceasingly for ...