School days – UPSC Ethics

Citing an example from your own experience from your school days, critically comment on the role of educational institutions in inculcating values in children. (200 Words)

Values are ethical standards determined by society for the sake of discipline of community. During my school days I was a little bit effeminate type with soft voice and tender quality. My parents always told me not to be emotional and cry easily like girls. Sometimes I became laughing stock among my friends. They used to gag me by typical name of girls. During this adolescent age ; a student learns to acquaint with values and norms with society. If these are not properly directed under adequate guidance they might pose threat to society. For example in case of mine; if a stereotypical belief that girls are weak and boys are strong is embedded in the mind of me; then i might take this as universal value gained from my surroundings which is not a scientific and standard moral code. Adolescent is a very sensitive time. The students spend most time under teachers during this stage. So; showing the differentiation among prejudices and moral code is very necessary for a child. A child takes his teacher as ideal and follow him. So; providing education of values regarding humanity; tolerance ; behaviour ; morality is the utmost responsibility of educational institutions. They must be practical in their approach. Keeping aside a class of 45 minutes for teaching values is not enough. If a child catch a butterfly; torn the leaves of a germinating tree; pluck petals of flower; insult friends for any physical behaviour the teachers must make them understand that nature is the most beautiful creation and contributes to the existence of human life or in the second case that each man is different from others and that a beautiful mind not external appearance is vital important for everyone. ” service to men is service to God”- it can be imprinted in the mind of child from school days. Educational institutions might arrange monthly meetings of guardians to discuss the issue. Organization of lectures by eminent personalities; exhibition created by students on particular theme like “the roaming dog in front of your home is best friend for you”; ” the tired old man is your grandpa” ; ” the blind man staggering to cross road is your relative” or painting; story competition on such themes will practically inculcate human values in the mind of child. In a longer and pragmatic approach if the schools are equipped with technology to the physically challenged students to study with other students there can be no more practical value education than this. Thus, through a meticulous and practical method of value education by educational institutions is essential for child but at any rate it must be free from biasness; religious dogma.
Can ethics and morals be taught in educational institutions? If yes, make a case for introducing a course on ethics right from school. (200
Words)
Ethics and morals are the traits learned by a human which serve him for his lifetime. Ethics and morals go a long way into shaping the behaviour and attitude of an individual towards others and oneself. given their importance, the question of how can such traits be inculcated in a human arises.
Schools or educational institutions are the best entry point for such traits into an individual. Ethics and morals can be best taught in educational institutions though the
other important source of deriving such traits being home. values taught and garnered
at home and educational institution tend to be embedded into the individual.
Case of introduction of course on Ethics and morals can be justified as:
  • growing number of crimes against women and children, increasing suicides, murders and increased teenage participation in religious fundamentalism clearly shows ethical absence
  • Tender age and innocent minds of children make them the perfect learners for ethics and moral values
  • course on ethics and morals along main curriculum can make available tomorrow responsible , sensible and accountable citizens.
Morals and ethics are the best gifts learned and their absence cannot be compensated by any other trait. educational institutions being the secondary and the family being the primary source of learning such traits should be equally exercised, so that an individual can have sensitivity towards oneself, fellow humans and nature.
Participation of juveniles in crime shows lack of socialisation and deficit in value system of children.

 

 

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