Foreword
Swami Vivekananda envisioned a new educational model for society. His vision for education revealed itself in the numerous speeches hegave,
both in India and elsewhere. Some of his principles for education include,
- Education must help us manifest the infinite knowledge within
- Education must result in man-making
- Education must strengthen faith and pride in ourselves as a nation
- Education must focus on character-building assimilation of ideas
The purpose of this seminar is to explore and demonstrate how these principles can be translated into a theory and pracice of education, organized around various levels of human purpose.
This seminar, organized by the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi, provides a platform for various individuals who have worked on this problem - at a personal level, at a theoretical level and at a practical level.
Seminar Overview
Over the past few decades, there have been a number of seminars organized on the subject if education and educational reforms.
These seminars have covered a number of distict but inter-related themes including educational curricula, educational tools and
educational models followed by different organizations. This 2-day Seminar (12th-13th February 2011) seeks to address some more
fundamental issue in education - namely the challenge of defining purpose for the educational process and the resultant "Vision of Education" that
emerges from that purpose.
The seminar will address the topics "Education for Enablement", "Education for Knoledge" and "Education for Spirituality". Each topic
will be explored through a keynote address and a workshop.
Education for Enablement
"Mere book - learning won't do. We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on one's own feet."
- Swami Vivekananda
Through the prism of this purpose, education is viewed in terms of its ability to strengthen and enhance
man's capacity to engage boldly and effectively with the challenges of life.
Education for Enablement therefore includes within its scope ...
- Development of self-esteem and individual personality attributes
- The development of appropriate mind sets
- The creation of task - revant/professional capabilities (integrating learning and doing, development of practice - excellence etc.)
- The development of "Engament Practices" such as teaming, knowledge sharing etc.
The keynote address for this topic will be given by Pravrajika Brahmaprana, and a workshop will be conducted by Shri V. Srinivas
Education for Knowledge
"Knowledge is power, and as soon as we begin to know a thing, we get power over it."
- Swami Vivekananda
The second of these purposes is 'Education for Knowledge'. Herein, education is viewed in terms of its ability
to transform man's engagement with knowledge. This view includes within its scope ...
- The need for creating individuals who pursue knowledge for its own sake, in the spirit of enquiry.
- The associated thinking methods and educational practices that must be incorporated into the educational system so that such individuals flourish and are encouraged.
- The culture, social practices and infrastructures needed to support the creation of new knowledge in all strata of Indian society.
The keynote address for this topic will be given by Swami Vidyanathananda, and a workshop will be conducted by Dr. Ram Murty.
Education for Spirituality
"Spiritual knowledge is the only thing that can destroy our miseries for ever;
any other knowledge satisfies wants only for a time. It is only with the knowledge of the
spirit that the faculty of want is annihilated for ever; so helping man spiritually is the
highest help that can be given to him."
- Swami Vivekananda
The third of these purposes is 'Education for Spirituality'. Herein education is used as the primary training
ground for each individuals's ongoing spiritual/ evolutionary journey.
This view includes with its scope ...
- The development of appropriate ideas and values as part of the educational process.
- Providing individuals with the methods and practices to pursue their deeper ideals within and outside the context of daya to day living.
- Creating the intellectual and cultural frame that would enable individuals to harmonize and integrate with the multiplicity of ideas and ideals in a globalizing society.
The keynote address for this topic will be given by Swami Atmapriyananda, and a workshop will be conducted by Swami Sarvapriyananda.