Gandhian Idea of Nai Talim in Contemporary India: Possibilities and Challenges

• Mishra, Deepak ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Allahabad

     University of Allahabad

     India

     
• Localización: SOCRATES: An International, Multi-lingual, Multi-disciplinary, Refereed (peer-reviewed), Indexed Scholarly journal, ISSN-e 2347-6869, Vol. 8, Nº. Extra 1, 2020 (Ejemplar dedicado a: (Special Issue) June, Sustainable Development Goals 2030: Ideas and Innovations for Better Tomorrow), págs. 8-17
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo (pdf)
• Resumen

  • Quality education encourages social development and reduces social inequality and is a means to attain gender equality. Education fosters tolerance and contributes to a more sustainable society. It prepares people with knowledge, skills and self-reliance, which open avenues for expanding opportunities for employment and overall development of an individual. It gives people a voice and increases a nation’s productivity and competitiveness, which is an instrument of social and political progress.

    Mahatma Gandhi’s vision about quality education focuses on learning basic skills and all-round development of human personality that includes physical, intellectual, and spiritual development, a key component of quality education. Buniyadi Shiksha, ‘Basic Education’ also known as Nai Talim, was the foundation of educational practices as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi. It was introduced in 1937 at Wardha and subsequently became known as Wardha Scheme or Basic National Education. It focuses on developing qualities that are necessary for building a non-violent sustainable society. The idea was firmly against exploitation and centralization.

    India is committed to achieving the goals as mentioned in the Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals. Ensuring quality education is a crucial development goal that India seeks to achieve. In this backdrop, the paper argues that Nai Talim or Wardha Scheme could be a road map for an egalitarian and empowered Indian society. A major challenge India faces today is that whether our present education pattern capable of building a sustainable society. Does it provide the younger generation with the required knowledge base to become a responsible and conscious citizen? The paper will analyse the basic principles of Nai Talim in terms of educational curriculum and pedagogy and examine its role in contemporary India.

    DOI: 10.5958/2347-6869.2020.00002.3