Measures for promoting National Integration

1. Measures for promoting National Integration

2. Religious and Moral Education Committee (1959) • Under the guidance of Shriprakash. • Recommendations: • Discard the narrow concept of religious education • Focused on extensive and fundamental values • Bad habits and traditionalism should be corrected • Healthy family atmosphere should be given to every child • Prayers in morning and quotes of saints, philosophers and great personalities should be shared with students • Development of national attitude, social consciousness, sacrifice and dignity of labour • Co-curricular activities to inspire students and group discussions to inculcate moral and religious values • Physical education to be made compulsory

3. National Integration Committee (1962) • Under the leadership of Dr. Sampurnanand. • Recommendations: • National policy on education for whole country should be framed. • Courses should be diversified • Promotion of two languages: Hindi and English along with regional language. • Stressed on programmes of emotional integration. • Objectives of national unity and human welfare should be included in syllabus. • Introduction of school uniform and maintenance of discipline standards • National songs and symbols should be included in morning assemblies • Socio-economic survey of youth should be done to understand their needs and aspirations • Upgrading teachers through training • Preparation and publication of literature related to historical truths, contribution of various religions and regions of Indian culture • Comparative study of religions and their activities • Co-curricular activities like exhibitions, literary activities, excursions, competitions etc. • Extensive adult education should be provided • Promotion of national consciousness among citizens

4. Education Commission (1964-66) • Under the guidance of Dr. Kothari • Main features of report: • Stressed on balanced development of values through fusion of traditional and modern values • Importance was given to democracy, socialism, welfare and comprehensiveness of religions. • Stressed on moral and spiritual values for development of cultured and civilized citizens. • Emphasized that education must be helpful in developing confidence in nation and its future • Education must help in raising standard of living of population, developing consciousness for society and its welfare, creating awareness about the obligations of citizens. • Focused on promotion of respect for different cultures, values, customs and traditions. • Established a common school system • Introduced national and social service concept • Focused on development of Indian language.

5. National Integration Council (1961) • Under the chairmanship of Pt. Nehru. • Suggestions: • Fuller and better education facilities should be provided to all children and youth • Students should be engaged in national building activities • Students should be helped in identifying themselves with the nation and its progress • Late on in the meeting held in 1968, the council re-emphasized on the importance of values like: unity in diversity, democracy, socialism, justice, secularism, liberty, equality, fraternity and citizenship. • Schools and universities organized seminars on value education. • Teacher orientation programmes were conducted

6. National Policy on Education (1986) • In this policy public opinion was considered. • Main features: • Focused on updating existing education system according to the changing needs of people and society. • Role of education according to this policy is defined as: Acculturating, combating and integrative. • Focused on preparing students to fight against disruptive forces and to integrate in the society • Policy recommended value education as means of individual progress • NEP coined the term value education for the first time to cover religious, moral and character education all in one.

7. National Curriculum for Elementary and Secondary Education: A Framework (1988) • Focused on achievement of universal objective of all round development of the child through national educational traditions. • Development of values given in constitution of India, so that country’s emotional unity can be strengthened and youth can be prepared to face future challenges.

8. Program of Action (PoA) 1992 • Highlighted the need for modernization of curriculum and pedagogy due to advances in knowledge.

9. National Curriculum Framework for school Education (2000) • Emphasized that education can minimize or eliminate various types of biases, imbalances and differences on basis of caste, religion, gender, language etc. • Equal access to quality education and opportunity would be given to all • Schools must restore and sustain universal values oriented towards integration, moral and spiritual growth. • Value education would help in fighting against negative values like: dishonesty, violence, corruption, exploitation • Value education should be introduced at an early stage in school education. • Comparative study of religions should be introduced at secondary and higher secondary level.

10. International understanding • It means acceptance of rights of all nations for an honorable existence, eliminating fear of war, ignorance and prejudices and understanding the value of co-operation and peace.

11. Need for developing International understanding • To develop a sense of world citizenship • To prevent wars between nations and establishing peace • To prevent human exploitation • To prevent unhealthy competition • To promote co-operation and interdependence of people and nations • To remove barriers of caste, creed, color, religion or nation • To promote cosmopolitan culture • To promote respect for all individuals and cultures • To safeguard the national interests • To prevent narrow and self centered nationalistic ideas • To promote settlement of disputes through compromise and discussions • To promote concept of democracy and peaceful co-existence • To prevent discrimination and isolation • To synchronize diverse cultures

12. Nationalism Vs Internationalism • If human race is to survive, we have to subordinate national pride to international feeling. A nation has its place within an international order but if it puts its interests above those of the human community, it becomes dangerous. • Radhakrishanan

13. Role of education in developing International understanding • Education of international was first introduced by UNESCO in 1974. It includes: • Peace education • Understanding of all countries • Human rights education • Understanding of UN

14. Principles for international understanding • Independent thinking and analytical attitude should be developed in students to decide what is right and what is wrong • Students must be developed to act as per their knowledge • Patriotism should be taught in a broader way • Importance of inter dependence of countries should be mentioned to them • They should be made aware about the complementary relations of nationalism and internationalism • Principle of co-existence must be taught • Faith in humanity • Development of virtues like self esteem, self discipline, patience, self confidence, problem solving capability, responsible behavior, independent judgment and conflict resolution abilities • Students should be taught about the positives of other cultures, religions, customs, traditions, languages and ideologies • They should be taught about contribution of various cultures in growth and development of mankind • World citizenship should be promoted