Principal Message
In the beginning of the 21th century a revolution is taking place in education. It is becoming an internationally traded commodity. Because of internet, Educational providers are increasing in large numbers. Global providers are setting satellite computers across the globe. Now education is becoming part WTO and GATs. In this race, ethical and moral values have taken back seat. This has defeated the basic purpose of education. Further under liberalization, privatization and globalization (LGP) conditions, the demand will be for quality only. A prospective student may look into this aspect of quality and competent education suitable for today’s society.
The need for Man-Making Education
Jacques delor in his report “Learning: The treasure within” has talked of four pillars of learning – learning to know, learning to do, learning to be, learning to live together. So far, our educational system focused more on the first aspect of acquisition of knowledge, to a little extent on second aspect and totally neglected the remaining two. The former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaee described this situation as producing one-dimensional personalities. As stated by Christoper Ball, 21st century needs a flexible generalist rather than a specialist. The flexible generalist are persons equipped with necessary levels of knowledge, skills and values to adjust readily to different job setting and life situations. The should adaptable to multiple career changes. So the education should focus on the whole development of an individual apart from his occupational Training. Learning to learn is one of the four key skills to be developed among students. This leads to self transformation of individuals. Self-Transformation
All educational philosophers speaks that ultimate aim of educational is self-realization. There is no exception for this in the different value systems of different countries. But how far our systems of educational all over the world achieved this ultimate aim is the debatable topic before the mankind. But the present day need is something new that is self-transformation to suit the divergent needs of the society. Such a self-transformation is an approach to self-integration which serves as a foundation for effective Man-Making Education. It is an indispensable basis for long term inter-personal, societal and Global peace as well as necessary for Man-Making Education.
The self-transformation consists of four aspects such as review of our personal map of reality, clarification of our values, Self-mastery and transcendence. Each aspect is an essential part of the whole, if one is missing the transformation process is not fully integrated. So all the four aspects are essentials for education in the process of Man-Making. It is the duty of our system of education to make our youth to be aware and conscious about them. The purpose of education is to help individuals to make necessary adjustments towards a constant changing environment. So the man-making education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on his own feat. For that teacher’s personal involvement is required and he should also be a moral guide. Moreover the teacher should be a man of character.
“Not gold but only teacher can make
A people great and strong
Men who for truth and honor’s sake
Stand fast and safer long
It is they who build a nation’s pillars deep
And lift them to sky”.