In the present day society education is largely directedtowards the materialistic destination. There is a speedy decline in the ethicalstandards of the system which is witnessed in every corner of the society indifferent phases of value crisis. Starting from the Vedic period, there hasbeen a gradual and historical decline in the ethical dimensions of theeducational functioning.
Can education produce the desired output when its ethicallimbs are being paralyzed. Our present educational scenario has forgotten thevitality of ethical standards and the concept of value education has gonealmost out of public interest.
People are in the race of material progress and no oneinvites the value education to the system of educational functioning as peopleprefer to be scientific but not spiritual.
Poor value education has changed the outlook of allstakeholders of educational enterprise and has further resulted in the deteriorationof respect for all prominent figures in the society. Moreover, value crisis inpresent society is casting its evil shadow in all walks of our life. Man hasbecome so narrow, materialistic, and confused that he does not know the art ofliving.
Education devoid of values is worthless and largely unableto improve our living standards. The examples of value crisis are reflected inall institutions of our society. It has further complicated our life and hasmagnified our problems in multiple areas of concern.
The poet TS Eliot has called this world a “waste land” whereman is spiritually dead in the midst of un parallel material progress andmiraculous scientific achievements.
Our educational centers must show respect for ethicaleducation as inculcation of values among children develops a sense of humanism,a deep concern for the wellbeing of others. The nation can be built only whenwe instill in children a deep feeling of commitment of values that will bringback peoples pride and will assure success.
Values are among the most precious gifts which one canexperience and learn. Education devoid of value may produce a technical humancapital like doctors, engineers, Scientists, teachers etc but, such people aredominated by personal interests and are unable to reflect their commitment forthe wellbeing of common masses and the examples are live in our society. Humancapital devoid of values can be equated to a mechanical capital that is in turndevoid of feelings and emotions.
Such doctors listen everything in private clinics but,nothing in government hospitals. Similarly such teachers love tuition centersmore than the government educational centers. People devoid of values arenaturally inclined towards such activities as life without values is worthlessand cannot contribute for the benefit of others.
There is a dire need to address the problem of value crisisand to achieve such goal we need to activate our educational centers. Valuesshould be taken as serious as syllabus as we cannot have one without other.Role of teachers in this dimension is of prime importance. Teachers must conveythe importance of values to students to live a peaceful life and to aspire forbetter things in future. Teachers should guide learners to develop values andto achieve the absolute goals of truth, beauty and goodness. Such teachers canbring desirable behavioral changes in the learners and will promote peace oflife to preserve our rich cultural heritage and promote peace and harmony inindividuals and society.
In the contemporary era the role of teacher has becomechallenging to bring about a condition of stability and to achieve the goal ofgoodness. In addition to information transmitters, teachers must function asthe vectors of values to settle the unsettled axiological disturbances.Moreover, the role of parents deserves central attention in this perspective.parents must show equal respect for value education as they show forscientific progress and achievements of their wards. Education devoid ofmorality and ethics is most mercurial for the society in general and theindividual in particular. Such education will never bring ultimate happiness inthe society. We must work together as a team to accomplish the goals of valueeducation and to create a society that is based on eternal happiness.
Suhail Salam Bhat is Assistant Professor in highereducation, Kashmir.