Wednesday, August 23, 2006

INTEGRAL EDUCATION: A VICTORY ON CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION SYSTEM

Education systems are very restricted to their syllabus, course curriculum and examination. It's a time bound process. Students have to abide by these rules carefully otherwise they are dropped or disqualified in the race. Think about an education system where students are the teacher of their own. They are guided by their psychic being and also they are free from examination pressure and other regulations of the so called education system. Does such education system exist in India? Yes, it is called "Integral education system". It deals with the development of physical, mental, and psychical aspects of life. It is not reached at every parents or educationists because it is the "craze parents' choice".

Integral education is the vision of Sri Aurobindo who first put his views on this topic in various newspapers and magazines in between 1904-08. According to him, the pattern of education should be liberal enough and a student should have full freedom to choose whatever s/he likes. The main aim of Integral Education is that: a student will be guided by his/her psychic being. A teacher's duty is to inculcate this quality in the students mind. Examination system will not put any pressure on the students; depression never comes to a student's mind. And evaluation process will be in such a way to influence the students instead of being frustrated.

These thoughts were brought to action when "The Mother" of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry stepped forward to start such dream institute in the name of "Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre" in the year 1943. Till date the institute is running under the special guidance of Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust.

Talking to Mr. Siddharth, mathematics teacher of the same institute over phone, claimed, "Nobody can understand what integral education is, if he/she will not come to the institute to have a practical concept. We take 8-10 children every year at the very beginning of their childhood. The selection is based on the parents' perception of education".

A clear cut picture about Integral Education came to mind while talking with Sulochana Devee, a 25 years experienced teacher of MIRAMBIKA School, New Delhi, which runs under the same philosophy of Integral Education .
In her word, "integral education means: the education guided by the soul or psych. The psych is a conscious being in the human soul. The aim of psychic being is to move towards perfection or complete expression of life.

The Integral Education , now-a-days is slowly disseminating its real message among the people. The interests shown by general mass as well as intellectuals are overwhelming. Even if there is no appropriate data about the total numbers of Integral Schools in India but only in Orissa the figure touches 500. The Mother International School, New Delhi is a good example in its quality education and retaining the same philosophy that an IE system should have.

The affiliation process, granting scheme and syllabus making of the CBSE and NCERT catalyze the privatization of education putting extra burden on general mass. Without going deep into the quality and future aspects of the contemporary system of education the authority claims being the best. A mixed response ultimately proved fearness towards this age old educational system while knocking the doors of departmental heads of NCERT.

People who used to spend a lot of money for their ward on this contemporary education are unaware of the Integral Education system. They have to understand this system in a broad sense and at the same time to show their interests courageously will be another victory for India to adopt such system. To bring complete change in the present system of education means to change in perception and their organization, the curriculum, the structure, text books, classroom system, teacher-child ratio, evaluation and many more aspects which an integral system of education can only explain. So it's an appeal to the educationists, intellectuals, and parents to make our system of education a brighter one.

Manas Das M.J.M.C.(B.U.) MBA -IB (Pondicherry University)
New Delhi

7 comments:

Tarun Bansal said...

Hi Manas,
While searching for some content on Education I came to your blog. Find it intresting. I think you have personally gathered the info. from various soruces.
Will you please provide me the modified content so that i can put this on my site www.loyalmart.com along with your reference.
please do reply ASAP

Unknown said...

Your article is very interesting and I appreciate your approach to writing on a difficult subject. I would like you to contribute to my blog at http:\\indiarole.wordpress.com
And at some point I would like to link your blogspot to mine.
Thanks.
This is Lata.

Rohit Dhawan said...

It’s an awesome publish in support of all the web people; they will take advantage from it I am sure.
HRM 531 Entire Course

Rohit Dhawan said...

It’s an awesome publish in support of all the web people; they will take advantage from it I am sure.
HRM 531 Entire Course

Anson jacob said...

Incredible substance, I truly liked the insign you carry to the theme, stunning stuff. continue trying different things with your composition and doing intriguing things! I'm liking it.thanks About Your Perfect Post & Contain In Your Website
MKT 421 Week 2 Individual Assignment

Anson jacob said...

Decent and disturbing section going with to this issue Really, this is satisfactory as i acknowledge whenever read.you're totally capable side by side and real clever
MKT 421 Week 2 Individual Assignment

Unknown said...

I uncovered understanding it. I require to read progressively on this topic…i am respecting the time and venture you put in your website,
OPS 571 Week 6