As we observe Rabindranath Tagore's 154th birth anniversary today, let us talk about his educational ideology. Education is a social process which is concerned with the development of an individual for participation in society both physically and mentally. But the perception changes according to changing demand of living. Globalisation has shifted the nature of demand of education. Education is now geared towards job opportunity for a better standard of living, as well as the opportunity to enter digital world of technology. As a visionary thinker and a committed teacher, Tagore sought reconciliation of all these in his educational philosophy.
The globalisation of the 21st century has created a noticeable diversified multicultural approach in education and society. Rabindranath Tagore, a great preacher of Bengali culture and tradition and a true world citizen had developed his educational philosophy with effective fusion of eastern and western ideologies that is as relevant now as before. Tagore`s education system emphasised physical, mental, spiritual, aesthetic and economic development of a person to meet the demands of living. He wrote - 'The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence."(Rabindranath Tagore, Personality, 1917). Tagore saw education as the widest road of development. He strongly believed that education has a profound relationship with issues like poverty alleviation, women empowerment, conservation of nature and eradication of racial, religious and gender-biased disharmony both nationally and internationally. Tagore`s educational philosophy was aimed at overall development of a nation. Tagore believed that education should be rooted in our own culture while incorporating advanced knowledge of science and technology from global network.
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), Asia`s first Nobel Laureate in literature and a pioneer educationist of the 19th century, was not only a theorist but a practitioner. He established his own school 'Shantiniketan' in 1901 where he tried to introduce his innovative and experimental ideas of teaching and learning processes as he did not write any formal document on it.
The main objective of Tagore's educational philosophy is freedom of humanity, self-expression through creativity and a rapport of man with nature. He wanted to make education enjoyable, pragmatic and time-oriented in the context of global necessity. Tagore aspired for the expansion of human spirit. He believed that each child has a unique talent and the role of true education is to explore that innate power within them. He believed that only proper education can give the power of freedom of thoughts and imagination, not through imposition but from liberty of self-expression. He strongly believed that mother language is the true vehicle of education as it is easily understandable.
Tagore thought about the importance of conservation of nature for safety of this planet. He saw the nature as an organic part of our own existence. He wanted to develop love for nature in his education system to impart the knowledge of relationship between nature and life.
Tagore's educational curriculum is applicable irrespective of custom, culture and creed. It helps children to realise the co-relation of God, man and nature. The curriculum was designed to achieve self-discovery through the development of intellectual, physical as well as moral qualities. Tagore gave importance to knowledge about the history of one's own country which will ignite the patriotic feeling and love for own culture among children. Development of aesthetic senses was another important aspect of his education philosophy. He believed that practice of art and culture will help the children to be more creative and also to build relationship with teachers and peers.
Rabindranath introduced "participatory learning" process of modern pedagogy. He advocated for innovative teaching process for effective learning. He believed that neither school building nor number of books is the means of good education. Only good teachers and teaching method can ensure quality education. A teacher should always be busy with creative activities of children to make them inquisitive to explore the facts of their surroundings. He was against any corporal punishment. Another key point of his curriculum was the practice of aesthetic senses like music, art, dance and drama in daily activities of the school.
Actually Tagore's educational philosophy takes a holistic approach. As an innovative and ground-breaking educator and social thinker he was very much concerned with women education. He wanted men and women to be offered similar educational opportunities for an honourable life in freedom. He introduced co-education in Shantiniketan. Both boys and girls took part in all activities including outdoor games and sports. He tried to promote women's equal rights, advocated for greater freedom and protested against social discrimination and insecurity. He offered education for empowerment through economic emancipation that would give the women an identity and decision-making power within the family and society too.
Tagore emphasised education which would help an individual to earn livelihood. So he stressed the vocational and technical sides of education. He introduced literacy for all through mass education for collective empowerment. Tagore wanted to establish a pluralistic and diverse view of education for the development of international knowledge and multicultural ideas.
Rabindranath's vision about education based on humanity, love and freedom, and its emphasis on international cooperation shall remain contemporary over the millennium.
The writer is a Rabindra sangeet artist, cultural activist, and a University teacher. Email to contact: sharmila244@yahoo.com
Tagore\\\'s educational philosophy takes a holistic view
Sharmila Chakraborty | Published: May 08, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
Share if you like