Are you searching for notes on the Educational Thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi? Here in this post, you will get short notes and important key points on the educational thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi. This note is specially prepared for B.Ed. pursuing trainees. This will help you in understanding Mahatma Gandhi’s views of Education and his thoughts regarding the broad aspects of education.
B.Ed. Notes on Educational Thoughts and Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi – PDF
Mahatma Gandhi viewed education as an activity that was necessary not only for social progress but also for the moral, political, and economic development of a country. Before discussing Gandhi’s views on education and his ideas, let’s have a quick look at important aspects of Gandhiji’s philosophy of life.
Important Aspects of Gandhiji’s Philosophy of Life
Gandhiji’s philosophy of life is discussed below in short. A few aspects are as follows.
Concept of Truth and God:
Gandhi believed in truth as the ultimate reality, truth is the supreme principle, an indefinable mysterious power. God is the source of life, truth, and love. There is no difference between God and truth. Because God and truth are immortal.
Non-Violence:
According to Gandhi non-violence is the basis of all religions. Non-violence is the complete absence of ill will against all that lives.
Satyagraha:
Gandhi said that Satyagraha is the practical side of non-violence. It means love for all and tolerating difficulties for all.
World Brotherhood:
According to Gandhi, all human beings are the children of one God. So, we treat everyone with truth, non-violence, and love.
Concept of Love:
Gandhi said that people can realize truth only through love. Where there is love, there is God.
Educational Thoughts and Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi in Five Broad Aspects of Education
Now, we will discuss the Educational thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi regarding the five main broad aspects of education. These are the aims of Education, Curriculum of Education, Method of Teaching, Teachers, and Discipline.
Definition of Education According to Mahatma Gandhi:
According to Gandhi “By education, I mean all-around development of the child, his body, mind, and spirit”. Literacy is not the end of education or even the beginning. It is one of the means by whereby men and women can be educated. Literacy itself is no education.
The educational thoughts or philosophy of Gandhi on five broad aspects of education i.e., Aims of Education, Curriculum, Method of Teaching, Teacher, and Discipline are discussed below.
Gandhiji’s Philosophical Thoughts on Aims of Education:
(1) Ultimate aim:
- Realization of ultimate reality.
- Knowledge of God.
- Self-realization
(2) The immediate aim of Education:
- Aim of livelihood: The aim of education is to enable an individual to earn his livelihood by which he/she can become self-dependent.
- Harmonious development of personality:
- Physical development
- Mental development
- Social development
- Emotional development
- Spiritual development etc
- Cultural Aim: Children should be trained to express their culture in their conduct. Culture is the foundation, the initial thing that should be manifested in children’s behavior.
- Outer culture.
- Inner culture.
- Moral Aim: Gandhiji emphasizes morality and character building. He regarded character-building as the proper foundation for education.
Gandhiji’s Thoughts Regarding Curriculum of Education:
- The curriculum in education should meet physical and spiritual needs.
- Emphasized the co-relation of subjects in the curriculum.
- Some handicrafts should be included in the center and other subjects should be related to it.
- Principle of individual differences, interests, and flexibility on a psychological basis.
- In the selection of handicrafts, there is a place for a child’s freedom and interest.
- Gives more importance to an Activity-based curriculum.
- The curriculum should include subjects like –
- Basic crafts: Agriculture, gardening, spinning, weaving, woodwork, cane work, bamboo work, metal work, cardboard work, leather work, earthen work, etc.
- Mother tongue
- Mathematics
- Social science: History, geography, civics, economics, etc.
- Health and Hygiene
- General Science: Natural science, zoology, botany, physics, chemistry.
- Psychology
- Drawing
- Music etc.
Mahatma Gandhi’s Ideas on Method of Teaching:
- Learning by proper use of body organs: Importance on the proper exercise of body organs. The child should be taught drawing at first then reading and identifying letters and then writing.
- Learning by doing
- Learning by synthesis
- Learning by reading, thinking, and action
- Learning by experiment
Mahatma Gandhi’s Educational Thoughts on Teachers:
- Gandhiji accepts a teacher as a friend, guide, and assistant to a child.
- A child has to learn more from a teacher than from a book.
- Teachers are the real textbook for a pupil.
- The teacher’s personality should be distant.
- He/she must be an ideal person for the learner.
- He/she should have the qualities of truth, non-violence, patience, justice, sympathy, and labor.
- Good character, dutifulness, sociability, self-control, and activeness.
- Know the psychology of his/her students.
- The role of a teacher can play being a lamp post, a signboard, a reference book, a dictionary, or a dissolvent.
Gandhi’s Philosophical Ideas on Discipline:
- Gandhiji believes in the purity of character.
- Gives importance on-
- Impressionistic discipline
- Inner or self-discipline.
Above I have given a short note on the Educational Ideas of Gandhi for B.Ed. pursuing students or trainees. This note will help you in revising the concept of Gandhiji’s educational ideas for your exam.