SWAMI VIVEKANANDA THEORY OF EDUCATION
According to Vendanta, the essence of man is that possesses a soul along with a body and a mind. Hence a perfect system of education would imply complete harmony of the bod mind and soul in their properly developed state. His views on education are the following :
Positive aspect of Education
Vivekananda believed that social evil is due to ignorance. Ignorance is to be dispelled by education. The abolition of social evil by legislation is only negative. Vivekananda's insistence on education not only removes social evils but also individual's creativity to correct evils in society. As a social revolutionary he wanted to usher a veritable revolution in individual and Social thinking by means of education.
Comprehensive nature of Education
In his scheme of education there will be no place for the present type of negative education as it does not assist the common people to equip themselves for the struggle of life of help in building up their character or brings out the feelings courage and philanthrophy in them. Therefore, the body, mind and soul should be simultaneously developed in proper balance with each other. Vivekananda stressed the comprehensive nature of education. According to him, it should aim at character- building, physical culture, cultivation of arts, study of humanities, with special reference to Indian culture, and scientific, and technological training.
Advocated Gurukul system of Education
He advocated Gurukul system of education. Purity, thirst for knowledge, perservance, faith, humility, submission and veneration are some of the conditions which he thought were necessary for the student.
Education as an instrument for Human Betterment
Vivekananda was a great believer in education as an instrument for human betterment. He was particularly aghast at the level of ignorance and superstition prevailing in rural areas on account of their lack of literacy and education. He was also critical of the educational system itself with its Western bias and its lack of attention to the development of mental ability and moral character in its pupils.
Emphasis on the Education of Women
For women, he conceived an ideal institution known as Matha, with a school attached to it, in which religious scriptures, literature, Sanskrit, grammer and English would be thought. Regarding the education of women, he laid special emphasis upon chastity and fearlessness. To lift the masses, he considered, spiritual and secular education as necessary. The whole idea of education was summed up by Vivekananda as "the manifestation of divinity in man".
Wanted reorientation of the Educational System
Vivekananda scoffed at the importance being given by the educational system to book-learning and memory- training. He wanted the assimilation of ideas. What was more important was the development of the mind and the training of the intellect in analysis, discrimination, and the pursuit of truth. He was in favour of a thorough re-orientation of the educational system to make it an integrated man-making and character-building system with emphasis the masses, self-confidence, strength and will power and cultivation of the mind rather than mere memory.
Insistence on Mass Education
Vivekananda's insistence on mass education made him an awakener of the masses. His concept of mass-awakening is of considerable political significance. IHe believed that masses should be uplifted and awakened by selfless activity. He was aware of the political impact of mass liberation. Mass awakening has the repercussion of establishing a democratic society and government ensuring liberty, equality and opportunity and rights for all to grow into their manhood. IHe realised that India's freedom was linked up with the awakening of the masses and this could be achieved only by mass education. He pinned his faith in mass education, sacred and secular, and pleaded for the restoration of their lost individuality. He was of the view that once the masses are educated, they would become conscious of their rights, improve their abilities, establish their government and solve the problems of society.
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