Unit I - Introduction To Value Education Topic: Understanding Value Education Character oriented education that instills basic values and ethnic values in one’s psyche is called ‘value based education’ One definition refers to it as the process that gives young people an initiation into values, giving knowledge of the rules needed to function in this mode of relating to other people, and to seek the development in the student a grasp of certain underlying principles, together with the ability to apply these rules intelligently, and to have the settled disposition to do so, Significance of Value Education © Value education is important to help everyone in improving the value system that he/she holds and puts it to use, Once, one has understood his’ her values in life he/she can examine and control the various choices he/she makes in his/ her life. One has to frequently uphold the various types of values in his’ her life such as cultural values, universal values, personal values and social values. Value education is always essential to shape one’s life and to give one an opportunity of performing on the global stage. The need for value education among the parents, children, teachers ele, is constantly inereasing as we continue to witness increasing violent activities, behavioral disorders and lack of unity in the society etc. Value education enables us to understand our needs and visualize our goals correctly and also indicate the direction for their fulfillment. It also helps remove our confusions and ‘contradictions and enables us to rightly utilize the technological innovations. Human Values: + Human values are a set of emotional rules; people follow to make the right decisions in life. When values are used in a professional setting, they are called ethies, Values are used in every day decision making at work and at home, Good values instill a sense of integrity, honesty and diligence in people, Without good values, people would become corrupi, dishonest and undependable as people and employees, Cultural Values: Groups, societies and cultures have values that are largely shared by their members, The values identify those abjects, conditions or characteristics that members of the society consider important; that is, valuable. In the westem world, for example, values might include material comfort, wealth, ualism or religiosity. Ms SONAM KAPIL Asst. Professor MIT MEERUT. UNIT 1The values of a society can ofien be identified by noting which people receive honour or respect In the US, for example, professional athletes at the top levels in some sports are honored (in the form of monetary payment) more than college professors. Values are related ta the norms ofa culture, but they are more general and abstract than noms. Norms are rules for behavior in specific situations, while values identify what should be judged as good or evil » Example: Flying the national Mag on 1S™ August in India is a norm, but it reflects the value of patriotism. ® Wearing dark clothing and appearing solemn are normative behaviours at the funeral. They reflect the values of respect and support of friends and fia Different cultures reflect different values. “Over the last three decades, traditional-age college students have shown an inereased interest in personal well-being and a decreased interest in the welfare of others.” Values seem to have changed, affecting the beliefs, and attitudes of college students, Purpose of Value Education VALUE EDUCATION Fig. 1.1. The Purpose Of Value Education The Role of Value Education: Value education plays a very important role in creating a better society, more ethical ‘organizations and groups, and better human beings as: 1. Value education ean help to build human beings who possess strength, integrity and fortitude based upon ancient Indian values. 2. Value education builds the values of cooperation and peace as well as tolerance. 3. Efficiency can step up ifa person possesses the right values. This may include punctuality, Keeping one’s word, professionalism, lack of bias ar prejudice etc, Ms SONAM KAPIL Asst. Professor MIT MEERUT. UNIT 1 Page 2Creating cordial relationships between people by encouraging the values of respect, love and affection. Promoting personality development and social cohesion, . Regeneration values of national pride and integration towards nation- building, Building character in the young people who will lead the country in the future. . Inculcate moral and spiritual values in the minds of students and making them aware of the teachings of Great Men so that they may learn from their examples, Promoting harmony between nations and creating a peaceful world order. Identifying the core universal values of: a, Truth (Satya) b. Righteous Conduct (Dharma) c. Peace (Shanti) d. Love (Prema) ce. Non-Violence (Ahimsa) To help create a foundation of the quality of life and strike a balance between external and internal values, ‘Thus value education ean play a significant role in the betterment of individuals, groups and society at large, This is shown in the figure below: ~Entightened secioty -emicat ny and peace Groups & INetion Sullaing Srownteations “Quay of tite “Sensitive inaivicwvats | Z0-4>0com omcr>< omeonvE- Pig. 1.9 Education As an Input to Improved Values Need of Value Education Correct identification of our aspirations. The subject which cnables us to understand ‘what is valuable” for human happiness is called ‘value education’ (VE), Thus, VE enables us to understand our needs and visualize our goals correctly and also indicate the direction for their fulfillment, It also helps to remove our confusions and contradictions and bring harmony at all tevels, Understanding universal human values to fulfill our aspirations in continuity. All human beings continuously aspire for a happy life, successful life, and the purpose of education is to provide adequate competence to actualize this aspiration. ‘Complementarity of values and skills. For this it is essential to understand — what is really ‘valuable’ for human being, and what is really conductive to a happy and fulfilling life? = Thisis the ‘value domain’. Ms SONAM KAPIL Asst. Professor MIT MEERUT. UNIT 1‘Then one should know — how to actualize it? How to make it happ “domain of skills’ Hence, there is an essential complementarity between values and skills for the success of any human endeavor. For example, | want to lead a healthy life, Only wishing for good health will not hel keep my body fit and healthy and without having understood the meaning of health, | will not be able to choose things correetly to keep my body fitand healthy. Evaluation of our beliefs. Each one of us believes in certain things and we base our values on these beliefs, are they false or true which may or may not be true in reality. WE helps us to evaluate our beliefs and assumed values. Technology and human values. The present education system has become largely skill based, The prime emphasis is on science and technology. However, science and technology. can only help to provide the means to achieve what is considered valuable, It is not within the scope of science and technology to provide the competence of deciding what really is valuable. VE is a crucial missing link in the present education system. Because of this deficiency, mast of our efforts may prove to be counter-productive and serious crises at the individual, societal and environmental level are manifesting. Hence, there is a strong need to reetify this situation Basic Guidelines for Value Education Tn order to qualify for any course on value education, the following guidelines for the ‘content of the course are important: + Universal: It needs to be applicable to- all the human beings irrespective of cast, creed, nationalities, religion, ete., for all times and regions, Rational: It has to appeal to human reasoning. Natural and verifiable: It has to be naturally acceptable to the human being who goes through the course and there needs to be every provision in nature for its fulfillment, It needs to be experientially verifiable, and not based on dogmas, beliefs or assumptions, All encompassing: It needs to cover all the dimensions (thought, behavior, work and realization) and levels (individual, family, society, nature and existence) of human life and profession Leading to harmony: The value education ultimately is targeted to promote harmony within the individual, among human beings and with nature, Types of Values > Life comes with its ups and downs. Yes, we all know that. But there are certain mindsets that affect our life for the better and some that affect it for the worst. These mindsets that affect our life for the better can be called as values. Whilst it stands true that all people have different values in life, there are some important values in life that should be considered by all. Not because these are the values that we follow, but because it could truly make this world a better place. Ms SONAM KAPIL Asst. Professor MIT MEERUT. UNIT 1