INTEGRATING VALUE EDUCATION IN TEACHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIA

Abstract

A most important reason for integrating value education in teacher education curriculum is the fact that the current model of education contributes to the lopsided development of students. The present model of education puts exclusive focus on cognitive to the total neglect of the affective domain. This gives rise to alienation between head and heart. Students are nurtured in a spirit of excessive competition. They are trained right from the beginning to relate to aggressive competition. The individual excellence is promoted at the cost of emotional and relational skills. Young students hardly figure out why they are in school, why they are studying different subjects and how their schooling will be helpful to them. Their understanding is confined to parroting about the subjects. They don’t know how they should live their lives; commit themselves to the welfare of the country. They hardly bother about the environment and other social and moral issues. They hardly know as to what sort of persons they hope to become when they complete their education. Education of this kind reduces children into automated toys.

In the context of India, youths are little bit confused with the bombardment of the new technological devices, information explosion and violent news by the press & media. Integrating Value Education in teacher education curriculum will result in proper focus on character, cultivation of virtues like self-control, tolerance, selfless service, practice of prayer, harmony, to love all people, to help them in need and respect them etc The teacher being the moulder of the 'cast ‘ can easily mould little children inculcating values in them.