Educational Studies UNIT-1-post 02
FULL STUDY MATERIALS FOR UGC NET EDUCATION
Prepared by
Sabarish P
(MSc Physics, MEd, NET)
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Educational Philosophy of Swami Dayanand
Among the contemporary Indian philosophers Swami Dayananda may be called to be the greatest rationalist. While on the one hand he was a great supporter of Vedas and other holy texts, his approach everywhere was that of a rationalist. He never
accepted anything without meditating upon its advantages and disadvantages. His magnum opus Satyartha Prakash is an eloquent testimony to his rationalism. Pointing out the object of this great work Dayananda wrote, “...there is not the remotest idea to
hurt the feelings of any person either directly or indirectly, but on the contrary, the book proposes that men should distinguish truth from falsehood. Thus since none but the practicing of truth is the cause of the improvement of the human family.” These words
express both his rationalism and humanism. As is clear by the above object of the chief work of Dayananda, like a true humanist, he aimed at the progress of humanity on the path of happiness. Thus it was in keeping with this aim that Dayananda presented his philosophy.
Meaning of Education- According to Swami Dayananda education imparts true and real knowledge about master, self-development and welfare of all living beings. In other words, it should inculcate a spirit of service and help to others. In this way,
according to Swami Ji, education is a supreme and most important moral process for the development of mankind. Swami Dayananda says, “A man without education is only aman in name. It is bound in duty of a man to get education, become virtuous, be free
from malice and preach for all well-being of people advancing the cause of righteousness.”
Reward and Punishment - Reward and punishment occupy a very high important
place in the child’s education. Admitting the psychological importance of reward and
punishment Dayananda considered them to be an important part of every education.
Punishment, according to him should be oral as far as possible and not corporal. The child learns through the system of rewards and punishments. He repeats those acts which lead to rewards and does not commit those acts again which result in punishment.
Moral Education- Thus, Dayananda clearly laid down the means for the moral education of the children. Moral education involves the encouragement of virtues on the one hand and the discouragement of vices on the other. The parents and the teachers should themselves present high ideals. Thus, in brief the child “should try to acquire virtues and shun vices; associated with the good and avoid the wicked.”
Role of the Parents- According to Swami Dayanand, a man becomes learned only
when he has three proper instructors, the mother, the father and the teacher. Blessed is
that family and most fortunate is that child whose mother and father are equipped with
righteousness and learning.
Women’s Education- Swami Ji advocates strongly that all women should get education. Equal opportunities to go to school should be given to the daughters as to
the sons, by parents. He was not in favour of co-education, and advocated separate schools for girls and boys. The curriculum of studies was also a little different for boys and girls.
The Teacher’s Role- Great importance is given to the role of the teacher by Swami Dayanand. The teachers are to be learned, of good character, and devoted to their task. There is no room for arrogant teachers who are not dedicated to their task.
There has to be a close relationship, like that of a father and son, between the teacher and his pupil.
Discipline- Dayanand was a strict disciplinarian and believes in taking strong action against teachers and pupils who broke the rules of the school.
Curriculum- In his scheme of education Dayananda prescribed almost similar
types of education for males and females. Besides a general curriculum for educand
from the four Varnas, Dayananda also prescribed some special studies for each Varna.
He pointed out that only those books should be recommended for deep study which
passes all scrutiny.
Medium of Education- In the ancient Indian tradition Dayananda favoured mother-tongue and the Sanskrit language. He strongly pleaded the cause of Sanskrit as medium of all higher education. He wrote in details about the curriculum and teaching methods for learning and mastering Sanskrit.
Qualification of the Teacher- Elaborating the qualification of teachers, whether
male or female, He supported the idea that, “He alone is a wise man who is never idle
nor lazy, nor effected by pleasure or pain, profit or loss, honour of dishonour, public
applause or censure, has always a firm faith in Dharma, and cannot be tempted by sensual objects.”
Teacher-Taught Interaction- These high qualities can be developed through mutual inspiration. The teachers inculcate truthfulness, self-control, gentleness and physical and mental development on the educands. They should also try to eradicate evil habits of the students. The students, on the other hand, themselves try to develop self-control, mental tranquility, thoughtfulness, diligence and love for their teachers.
Contribution of Dayananda
Education for perfection: The discussion of the philosophy of education presented by Dayananda leads one to the conclusion that his aim was education for perfection. He sought this aim most vigorously even sometimes presenting schemes which were far from practicable and demanding standards and virtues which could not be attained even by the selected person. He demanded very high standard of character
and conduct. He wanted to realize all-round perfection.
Multisided Curriculum: A perusal of the curriculum given in Satyartha Prakash amply clarifies the fact that Dayananda aimed at perfection of man through education.It is due to his anxiety about achieving an all-round and most comprehensive perfection of
man that he prescribed such a detailed curriculum which may appear too wide in the modern age of specialization and yet if one remembers the fact that specialized knowledge always creates a one-sided personality and never a total perfection, one may
be able to appreciate Dayananda’s standpoint.. It is undeniable that the scheme of education presented by Dayananda is too rigorous and beyond the capacity of most of the males and females in the present time.
Humanism and Rationalism: Besides the ideal of perfection as a humanist ideal, Dayananda showed his humanistic tendency in his strong condemnation of all
superstitions, unscientific beliefs, immortalities and deceptions. In his support of science and the scientific outlook, he was more positive than many contemporary positivists. He was among the foremost rationalists to emphasis upon the use of reason in every field of human life. While on the one hand, he had absolute respect for the Vedas whom he considered to be divine, on the other hand he advised everyone to distinguish truth and untruth use rational criteria and accept only that which is supported by sound logic.
Thus, if something appears to be out of date in his scheme of education that hardly detracts its value, since what is important is not the detailed scheme but the insight behind it.
Dayanand’s educational philosophy is as kin to Vedic philosophy, although his interpretation of Vedic philosophy is unique. When he first preached his lesson, there was the greatest need to protect Hindu religion and philosophy from the onslaughts of
Muslims and Christian religions. He saved Hindu society. He protected the ancient Hindu values from the influence of Muslim and Christian cultures and tried to maintain the traditional modes of thinking. His ideas on education have great significance for
contemporary educational philosophy. The contribution of Swami Dayanand towards the philosophy and practice of education is noteworthy. There is no gainsaying the fact that the History of Education of modern India cannot be complete without mention of his glorious contribution.
