By Mrs. Damayanti Bhattacharya, Principal, Jasudben ML School & Bloomingdales Pre-Primary
From preschool, schools can promote experiential learning through multilingualism, teach values such as loyalty.
The foundation of knowledge transmission for centuries, traditional values are based on time-tested approaches and practices. While technology and alternative learning approaches have significantly altered the educational landscape, the article delves into how NEP-2020 can play a role in shaping students not just as learners, but also as good citizens.
Traditional values, often perceived as relics of the past in the ever-changing educational landscape, have become the need of time to be ingrained in the school curriculum. NEP 2020 advocates for promoting and incorporating traditional values in today’s education system. It seeks to integrate traditional subjects such as Ayurveda, yoga, and Indian philosophy into the curriculum. From preschool, schools can promote experiential learning through multilingualism, teach values such as loyalty, importance of families, and respect for elders, strengthen cultural integration, encourage critical thinking, focus on life skills education, which in turn will result in holistic learning.
Here’s how these traditional values help children prepare for real-life difficulties and opportunities-
Building Strong Character and Moral Foundations
Traditional education emphasizes character development, which goes beyond just academic achievements. This instills virtues like honesty, kindness, equality, and modesty from a young age. A strong moral foundation provides children with a compass to deal with life’s difficulties, laying the way for good personal and professional relationships. During these early childhood and preschool years, students learn to differentiate right from wrong, which impacts their ability to make decisions that align with personal integrity and societal ideals.
Instilling Discipline and Time Management
These values help students to understand the importance of discipline and sticking to a timetable/routine. Regular assignments, following classroom rules, and the expectation of punctuality develop a habit of organization and prioritization. These skills are invaluable in a person and therefore contribute significantly to self-discipline and personal growth.
Promoting Collaboration and Interpersonal Skills
The key benefit of traditional schooling is the environment and structure in which students engage personally with teachers and classmates. This promotes the development of necessary social skills required from an early age such as respect, teamwork, empathy, and communication. In an interconnected and diverse world, these skills are essential where collaboration and understanding are taught, helping build the way for a learned society.
Empowering to Stand Against Injustice
A good moral value education helps students to understand the sense of what is right and wrong. They have the ability to challenge societal norms and redefine them, and there is no better time to teach this quality than at an early age. Students help to create a just and equitable society if they know about this difference.
Preserving Cultural Heritage and Promoting Holistic Development
Integrating traditional values in schools helps to preserve cultural heritage and promotes a deep appreciation for one’s arts, history, and literature. They can help develop a strong sense of identity and continuity among students through small steps such as Cultural Day, bringing in grandparents and parents to tell local legends, and celebrating Language Day among others. It also encourages a holistic approach to growth by providing a blend of academics, physical education, and arts. This not only benefits kids’ physical and emotional well-being but also encourages new skills to express themselves.
The Indissoluble Link Between Values and Education
The cornerstone of societal transformation- education can enlighten individuals, and uphold and advance the cultural and historical values of a society. We can prepare students for more than just academic success by instilling values such as respect, a helping hand, gratitude, empathy, sharing, and compassion. This can help kids with the moral compass, skills, and self-assurance necessary to deal with the complexities of the real world. As a result, the traditional values imparted in schools can become vital life lessons that promote the development of future generations of well-rounded and conscientious citizens, ensuring the enduring strength and vitality of our society.
This article appeared in Brighter Kashmir an online portal on 15th May 2024
