The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence”.
- (Rabindranath
Tagore)
In the horizon of education in India, Rabindranath Tagore shone like a morning star radiating his versatile genius along with his multi-dimensional personality in all area of his life.
The entire humanity in the globe knows him as a vendantist, a prophet of Indian Renaissance, a spiritualist, an artist of world repute, dramatist, a stage-player, a sage, a musical composer, a guru, a prolific writer, a prophet of Indian culture, a distinguished teacher and a lover of nature and mankind. He was born on May 07, 1961 in Calcutta in an educated, rich and respected family. He passed away on August 7 1941.
a.
As
a humanist,
he talks about human brotherhood and spiritual bondage of universe; aim of
education to develop the all aspects of human personality i.e. physical,
intellectual, and spiritual.
b.
As
an individualist,
Tagore talks about –Every child has his/her inborn abilities which makes
him/her unique and through the enhancement of abilities one would be able to
achieve the state of perfection. As an idealist, he talks about tapasaya and
sadhana.
c.
As
a naturalist,
he talks about that – subjects should be taught through the utilization of the
various elements which are present in child’s environment so that he or she
would be able to understand the subject in effective manner.
For giving
practical shape to his educational ideas, he has established two educational
institutions named as Shantiniketan and Viswabartati. Shantiniketan has all
characteristics like as “Gurukul system of education” i.e. student teacher live
together far from crowded city and have natural benefits of field, trees,
rivers, etc.
Viswabharati, the
international university of Shantiniketan, combines Indian as well as western
cultural, science, literature art. It emphasizes on human brotherhood and
international understandings. Through this Tagore wants to establish a link
between East and west that is why he supported mother tongue as medium of
instruction; but he talks about importance of English as well.
Philosophy
of Education:
a.
Harmony with all
things-
One of the basic principles of the philosophy of Tagore is “harmony with all
things‟- harmony with nature, harmony with human surroundings and harmony in
international relations. His philosophy of education is based on naturalism,
humanism, idealism and internationalism.
b.
Principles of
Freedom-
Tagore was the exponent of freedom for children. He believed that children
should be brought up and educated in an atmosphere of freedom and liberty.
Restrictions should not be imposed on children. Tagore was not in favor of a
conventional and sophisticated type of school. Natural surroundings will enable
the child to develop in a natural way.
c.
Principle of
creative Self-expression- Tagore held that education should promote creative
self-expression. For achieving this purpose, Tagore assigned an important place
to arts, crafts, music, drawing, dancing and drama in his scheme of education.
d.
Active
communication with Nature and Man- Tagore finds a fundamental unity
between man and nature. The child‟s education must be organized in natural
surroundings. It will help the child in developing the power of communication
with nature. Tagore believed that there is a spiritual relationship between
nature and God, nature and man and hence between man and God.
Aims
of Education
a.
Intellectual
development:
it combines development of thoughts, creativity, curiosity, freedom,
mindfulness through which learner can develop his/ her learning style and lead
to perfection in life.
b.
Physical
development:
Tagore gave importance on physical development of learners and for physical
development Yoga, games, sports are prescribed in Shantiniketan.
c.
Love for
humanity:
it includes a sense of realization of oneness on the globe, international
understanding, and brotherhood.
d.
Natural growth
in nature:
nature is the best teacher, according to Tagore. It provide such environment
for learners in which they earn knowledge according to their pace.
e.
Freedom: it includes
three categories: freedom of heart, freedom of will and freedom of intellect so
education should be imparted in a way that it would achieve these freedoms.
f.
Moral and
spiritual development:
there should be adequate provision for development and enhancement of moral and
spiritual development in education. It includes sharing, caring and cooperation
etc.
g.
Social
development:
it includes social characters which enables learners to live life worthy with
maintaining social relationships.
Curriculum:
i.
Tagore
emphasized on practicability of education which enables learners to express
their thoughts, ask questions, experiments, believe in their own abilities and
understand their uniqueness.
ii.
He
was a great supporter of discipline free environment.
iii.
The
aim of education can be achieved by curriculum that is why Tagore has organized
his curriculum in a way that it would be able to achieve the aim of education
which he has defined.
iv.
It
includes subjects: mother tongue, other Indian Languages and also some Foreign
Languages, mathematics, natural sciences, health education, social-sciences,
agriculture, technical subjects, some skill oriented subjects, art, music,
dance, philosophy, psychology, religion, excursions, yoga etc.
Methods
of Teaching:
i.
Teaching through
Tours and Trips:
Tagore believed that the subjects like history, geography, economics and other
social sciences can be effectively taught through excursions and tours to
important spots. By this students will get an opportunity to observe numerous facts
and gain first-hand knowledge through direct experience.
ii.
Learning by
activities:
Rabindranath Tagore said that for the development of child's body and mind,
learning through activity is essential. Therefore he included activities like
climbing tree, drama, jumping, plucking fruits, dancing etc. in his educational
programs.
iii.
Narration-cum-discussion
and debate method:
Narration-cum-discussion and debating activities were organized Tagore's
education center to develop oratory abilities of the students. Students were
encouraged to solve problems of various areas through rational debate and
thorough discussion.
iv.
Heuristic Method: Rabindranath
Tagore introduced heuristic method as an important method of teaching in his
educational institution. In this method first, the students, are asked
questions to clarify their doubts on topics and teachers try to satisfy them by
their correct answers. Then the teacher asks the questions to students to
evaluate how far the students are able to comprehend the topic discussed in the
class.
Teacher:
a.
Though the education was learner centered yet
teachers had its own important place in education.
b.
Teacher has capability to enhance the abilities of
learners and create a sense among them to realize their (learner) uniqueness,
move it towards perfection and live together with harmony.
c.
Tagore talks about ideal teachers- students’
relationship as in “Gurukul education system” i.e. student teacher live
together far from crowded city and have natural benefits of field, trees,
rivers, etc.
d.
Tagore rightly says, “He who has lost the child in
himself is absolutely unfit for the great work of educating the children.”
e.
He further says – “A lamp can never light another
lamp unless it continues to burn its own flame.
Discipline:
i.
Like Sri Aurobindo, Gurudev Tagore strongly favoured
self-discipline in place of rigid and harsh discipline imposed from outside.
ii.
Discipline should grow from within without any
interference in an atmosphere of freedom. In a free, complete and creative
atmosphere, the pupil would be automatically disciplined.
He rightly
mentioned, “I never said to them. Don’t do or don’t do that. I never
prevented them from climbing trees or going where they liked. I wanted to make
these children happy in an atmosphere of freedom.” Therefore, he was an
advocate of child’s freedom and activities.
