Values are those principles or standards which help to improve the quality of life. Values codify the dos and don’ts of behavior. They form the basics of character formation and personality development. The values that spring from within are the core of the heart; like love, compassion, sympathy, empathy, tolerance, etc. Lay the foundation for the external practiced values like honesty, discipline, punctuality and loyalty. The most important thing to remember is that “values are priceless, while valuables are priced.” In today’s fast paced competitive world, man seemed to have compromised on his values, integrity and character in a bid to earn, use and possess more and more of material wealth. As a result, we see rampant corruption, unlawful activities, inhuman behavior and immoral consumption which is slowly breaking the very structure of our society, nation and the world. Therefore, there is an urgent need to re-introduce value based spiritual 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 moulded 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 definitely based on moral and just principles. School is the common platform for all children coming from various backgrounds. In an interactive and learning environment of the school, where a child spends a maximum of waking time, the human values can be easily evoked in him/her by making him/her “experience” and “live” the values.
Teachers in turn present themselves as role models to be emulated, the basic approach to impart value education. This is the most vital aspect to implement education in three ways: the independent approach, the integrated approach, and the subtle approach. We have been actively involved in conducting training programmes and workshops and value education seminars for students.
We also conduct essay writing, summer camps and open forums to cater the needs of the children. A teacher’s manual on value based spiritual education for students are explained through experiments in science and other curricular subjects and also through charts. Children learn more by observation, perception, experience and intuition rather than being told or taught about values. They assimilate the codes of behavior from the direct environment at home and at school, which eventually leads to the formation of character. Hence both parents and teachers, need to present themselves as role models, whom the children can look upto for guidance. To be effective role models, ‘elf realization’ is the key, for it brings about an internal balance and harmony, which in turn is externally reflected externally by right conduct, character and personality. To achieve such a result we need to regulate our minds and purify our hearts by the constant practice of meditation. SO value based spiritual education must be made compulsory at school level.
