Philosophy is the basis of education

Philosophy is the basis of education. Philosophy is

indispensable for every aspect of education. There is

need for Philosophy in every aspect of education. In

the absence of philosophical foundations, education

becomes irrelevant, meaningless, lifeless and colourless.

Education is the dynamic side of Philosophy. It is quite

appropriate to quote Rusk from every angle of

educational problem comes thus the demand for a

philosophical basis of the subject. There is no escape

from Philosophy of life and educationThe art of

education would never attain complete clearness in

itself without Philosophy.Both Philosophy and

education are independent.Education without

Philosophy is blind and Philosophy without education

is invalid.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF MAHATMA

GANDHI By education I mean an all around drawing

out of the best in child and man body, mind and spirit.

Literacy is not the end of education not even the

beginning. It is one of the means whereby man and

woman can be educated. Literacy in itself is no

education Harijan, July 31st, 1937 In his philosophy

of education Gandhiji rises above dualistic thinking

and tries to resolve all anti thesis between various

opposing aims. Gandhiji planned this system of

education so that all this would be accomplished without

the horror of a bloody class war, because the schools

will be a co-operative. Communities where students will

learn lessons of love, truth, justice, co-opeartive

endeavour, equality and brotherhood of man and social

service. With these, ideals in view, students will grow

into citizens who will form a society known as the

Sarvodya Samaj. In which the aim is to attain a new

humanism based on nonacquisitiveness, non

violence and truth. This concept of education is in

conformity with the modern concept of education. It is

universally admitted in the modern times that personality

constitutes body, heart and mind, and it is the function

of education, therefore, to bring about a harmonious

development of all these aspects of human personality.

In Gandhian educational philosophy the teachers role

is very significant. It is the duty of the teacher says

Gandhiji, to teach his pupils discrimination. If we go

on taking in indiscriminately, we would be no better

than machines. The best way to do this, in Gandhijis

opinion, is for the teacher rigorously to practice these

virtues in their own person, their very association with

the boys whether on the playground or in the class

room will then give the pupils a fine training in these

fundamental virtues. The most important event in the

field of education in modern India is the contemplation

over its various aspects by contemporary philosophers.

These philosophers raised their voice against the

prevailing educational system and called for an

educational revolution in the light of philosophical

bases.Out of various great educational philosophers

the names of Dr. Radha Krishnan, Mahatma Gandhi,

Madan Mohan Malviya, Rabinder Nath Tagore, Swami

Dayanand, Shri Aurbindo, Swami Vivekanand,Dr.

Mohammad Iqbal and Dr. Zakir Hussain etc. are worth

mentioning.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

Swami Dayanand, Swami Vivekanand, Sri Aurobindo,

Mahatma Gandhi, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dr. Zakir

Hussian, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal and Madan Mohan Malviya

like many educationists have taken birth in our country

from time to time. The educational progress our nation is

witnessing today is due to the great contributions of these

educationists. It is very necessary to study their educational

thoughts in context with present scenario Swami

Vivekanand and Mahatma Gandhi were such great

philosophers.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

* To study the educational philosophy of Mahatma

Gandhi. * To study the educational philosophy of Swami

Vivekanand.* To compare the educational philosophies

of Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekanand. * To study

the educational philosophies of both in context with

present educational scenario. A critical analysis of these

two in the form of philosopher and educationists can be

done as following: -

(a) HUMANITARIAN APPROACH

Both the thinkers were human lover. They

believed that understanding humanity will enable us to

reach the final goal of life. According to Swami

Vivekanand, The worship of human soul in human

body is the worship of God.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF MAHATMA

GANDHI AND SWAMI VIVEKANAND: A

COMPARATIVE STUDY

* Dr. K. Rao,

Research PaperEducation

October, 2010

* Principal, Rao Lal Singh College of Education, Sidhrawali (Gurgaon) Haryana

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International Referred Research Journal, October,2010.ISSN- 0974-2832VoL.II *ISSUE-21

(b) BELIEFINDEMOCRACY

Both the thinkers were staunch supporters of democracy.

They were democratic in their attitude. According to

them the aim of education is to develop democratic

qualities by keeping him in democratic environment.

(c) MASS EDUCATION

Both the educationists emphasized Mass-education.

Mass-education means education of the masses. It

includes the immature and adults. The society should

make arrangements of education for them. In the absence

of education the condition of messes was pitiable. The

lower class poor people did not even manage to get

sufficient meals.

(d) INSISTENCE FOR TRUTH

The Truth is far more powerful than any weapon of

mass destruction. Mahatma Gandhi Both the thinkers

emphasized insistence for truth. Gandhi Ji used to say

that the best means to realize God is truth. Long before

Gandhiji & Swami Vivekanand termed God and truth.

(e) WOMEN EDUCATION

Both the thinkers were in favour of women education.

Both believed in the principal that where a woman is

respected there lies God. They believed that condition

of women can be reformed through education only.

Education will make them self-confidant and they will

be able to help themselves. Religious education is a

necessary part of women education. Both of the thinkers

wanted the Indian women to become like Sita and Gargi

and not to become a specimen of western women.

(f) RELIGIOUSEDUCATION

Religious education does not mean education of a

particular religion. Both the thinkers have emphasized

equality of all religions. They said that God is one, with

varied forms. They did not delimit the religion to any

time or place. Temples, mosques, churches, etc. do not

make religion.True religion lies in realizing the Truth.

According to Gandhiji true education develop the

mental, spiritual and physical powers of the child.

(g) DISCIPLINE

Both the educationist emphasized discipline in

education. But they were against forced discipline.

According to Indian tradition Vivekanand wanted to

make the teacher learner relationship more cordial.

The students learn the lesson of discipline from the

personal life of the teachers. Similarly Gandhi Ji was of

the view that if discipline is to be developed in the

students first of all the teacher himself should be

disciplined.

(h) CHILDCENTEREDEDUCATION

Both Mahatma Gandhi Ji and Swami Vivekanand

supported child centered education. They respected

the personality of the child. They believed that

education is for the child and not child for education.

(i) SUPPORTER OF MORAL EDUCATION

Swami Vivekanand emphasized that the aim of education

should be moral, spiritual and character development.

There aims can be achieved only through moral

education. Gandhi Ji supporting the moral side of

education said true education consists not in reading

writing but in character development.

(j) IDEALISTS

Both Mahatma Gandhi Ji and Swami Vivekanand were

idealists. Both has a firm belief in God. According to

them God is omnipotent and the ultimate reality. Both

the thinkers were of the view that real beauty lies in

those values which are immortal.

(k) PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEVELOPMENT

According to Swami vivekanand the secondary aim of

education is the physical and mental development of

the child. He enforced physical development because

todays children will become fearless and strong citizens

in the future who will contribute in the progress of

nation.

(l) SUPPORTERS OF LEARNING THROUGH SELF

EXPERIENCE

Both the thinkers believed in hard work. Both of them

believed that education can be attained while playing,

through senses and through self experience.

(m) SYNTHESIS OF IDEALISM, NATURALISM &

PRAGMATISM

The ideologies of both the philosophers seem to be

impressed by Idealism, Naturalism, Pragmatism and

such great philosophies.Like naturalists they asserted

that true education can be achieved by remaining in

contact with nature.

5. DISSIMILARITIES

(a) Dissimilarities in the aims of education

Swami Vivekanand education has the aim to improve

the condition of poor Indian masses. He called for the

educational opportunities for poor and uneducated. He

cared for the all round devolvement of children.

According to Swami Ji the main objective of education

is to search for unity in diversity. Education should be

such that the child experiences unity in diversity. Gandhi

Ji said that education should enable the students to

become self dependent in their life. Gandhi Ji wanted to

give them the education of various trades, so that they

can become capable of fulfilling their basic necessities

of life. Gandhi Ji termed education as the insurance

against unemployment.

(b) Dissimilarities in Methods of Teaching

Swami Vivekanand was of the view that the learner gets

education through self activity. Through education he

recognizes his cultural heritage and utilizes it in the

struggle of life. The path of education is full of difficulties

and barriers. On the other hand Mahatma Gandhi said

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about the methods of teaching I believe that the true

knowledge of mind can be attained though proper

practice and training of bodily features such as hands,

eyes, nose, ears.

(c) Dissimilarities in Curriculum

Swami Vivekanand was a supporter of material and

spiritual development of child. For the attainment of

material objectives he suggested languages (Hindi,

Sanskrit, Mother Tongue), Arts, History, Geography,

Political Science, Economics, Mathematics, Science,

Psychology, Agriculture, Technology, Commerce,

Sports and Physical Education to be included in the

curriculum. Mahatma Gandhi wanted to make such a

curriculum which prepares a child to adjust in the

physical and social environment.Therefore the

suggested that handicraft should be given central place

in the curriculum.Gandhi Ji gave place to activity oriented

curriculum in his basic education. In the basic education

scheme he included Agriculture, wood work, metal work,

leather work, spinning and weaving etc. Apart from this

Gandhi Ji suggested Mathematics, Social Science, Lift

Science, Chemical Science, Physiology, Nature Science,

Astronomy, Music Painting, Drawing etc. to be included

in the curriculum.

(d) Dissimilarities in Role of Teacher

Swami Vivekanand was a believer of self education. He

said that every person in his own teacher. The external

teacher gives only directions and thoughts through

which the internal teacher gets inspiration to do and

understand the task. According to swami Ji an ideal

teacher is like a skilled gardener. He prepares the soil for

the development of the plant, gives manure, water and

plus fence around it so that, it can grow in its natural

way.The place Gandhi ji has given to the teacher in his

scheme of education is different from the normal schools.

According to him a good and ideal teacher must learn

the art of effective teaching. He should have the qualities

of characters, truth fullness, nobility, humility, tolerance,

hardworking, etc.

6. CONCLUSION OF THE COMPARATIVE STUDY

IN CONTEXT WITH PRESENT EDUCATIONAL

SCENARIO Both Mahatma Gandhi Ji and Swami

Vivekanand are counted amongst the greatest

educationists of the World. The philosophies of

education propounded by them bear great importance

to the whole humanity. Both of them bear great

importance to the whole humanity. Both of them were

well aware of the importance of education in building

modern India. In the present times education has become

more theoretical. It has become dull and uninteresting

due to lack of activity.

Both Mahatma Gandhi Ji and Swami

Vivekanand proposed activity oriented education. It

creates interest in learning.The problem of indiscipline

which is prevalent today can also be solved through

activity oriented education. Mahatma Gandhi said that

education should enable the child to meet the future

needs of his life. He said education should be an

insurance against unemployment.Whereas the present

educational scenario is quiet different.There is no surety

of employment even for highly educated persons.To

solve this problem the education should become less

theoretical and more technical after getting which the

person is able to earn his livelihood.The principle of

utility should be followed while framing educational

policies. Regarding the role of teacher both of them said

in the same voice that a teacher should act like a friend,

philosopher and guide. In the present schooling system

the teacher has adopted the role of s dictator, who tries

to mould the character of the child forcefully. The role

must be changed.Mahatma Gandhi Ji and Swami

Vivekanand both did not attach themselves to any

particular ideology. They were idealist, Naturalist and

Pragmatist at the same time. As idealist they wanted the

child to be morally spiritually strong. As naturalist they

wanted to give full freedom to child. His needs, aspirations,

aptitudes and abilities should be carefully diagnosed.They

wanted activity oriented education which should be

purposeful. In this way the present educational scenario

can be changed in positive direction by implementing the

philosophies propounded by the two great educationists.

If India has to excel in both material and spiritual aspects,

she has to adopt a synthetic approach of the ideas

propounded by Mahatma Gandhi Ji and Swami Vivekanand.

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