Emphasis on Value Education

- by Mukundhan 02 May 2009
This story has been read 1374 times.
Category: Lifestyle
Topic: Others

There was a raging debate on television today on whether the existence of law concerning various acts of crime and offence has discouraged offenders and whether existing laws have to be strengthened to prepare ourselves towards a crime-free society.

There were interesting and valid points raised by the participants. Some even recommended doing away with some of the existing draconian laws, which raise human rights issues, in addition to defeating the very purpose for which they were established.

Instead of taking sides, we shall consider some of the merits and demerits of the establishment of laws and recommend some solutions in favour of our bid to build a society that is based on moral values and discipline.

The existing social laws have not come from heaven. They were established by people for people to govern societal etiquette and discourage wrongdoing. People who abide by the law in letter and spirit need not be worried about the after effects of a crime. It is the offenders, who need to be deterred by the presence of a law that recommends varying degrees of punishment for crossing the line.

A criminal guilty of theft/murder/attempt is sentenced to imprisonment for a few months or years depending on the magnitude of the crime. Ideally, the period of imprisonment should lead the criminal to recognizing their fault and help them make progress towards leading a righteous life once the period of sentence ends. There is also a provision to set them free before the term ends if they have made sufficient progress that enable them to lead a normal, social life. However, those sentenced for a lifetime have no option but to spend their lifetime in jail. A mistake committed due to momentous madness caused by anger should not completely shut the doors for their social recovery.

However, viewing terrorism-related crimes with rose-coloured spectacles is not a recommended solution either. This is where the lawmakers have to strike a balance. While they have to consider amending a provision to reduce capital punishment for standalone criminal acts, they have to frame draconian laws to prevent terrorism-related crimes.

In a country that boasts of a high literacy rate among development countries, it pains to see that the state still feels the need to establish rules and punishment charges to discourage wrongdoing. Isn’t it an irony that an educated person, who sets role models when it comes to education and career, imitates an uneducated person when it comes to flouting the rules? Why does the educated Indian smoke in public places even when there is a law that discourages it? Why do they board a bus or a train without purchasing a ticket? Why do they continue committing such offences when they are fully aware of the consequences?

This is where our education system has terribly failed. As much as it prepares students to lead the multinational companies of the world, it has failed to inculcate moral values in them that would make them socially-responsible citizens. The educated person is to be punished more for his nonchalant attitude because he is completely aware of what he is doing. He has a huge responsibility to be a role model for others to emulate and there can be no excuses from him.

Value education should be not merely a subject that is taught in schools. Students have to be encouraged by teachers and parents to internalize whatever they have been taught as moral values. Else parents and teachers have to solely take the blame for building the society that we see today.

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SEE THE LATEST COMMENTS (23)
mona - Bangalore on 5/6/2009 2:36:22 PM
yes, ofcourse i liked this article because no-a days the society has changed a lot .Actually this is not a moral but this topic is very imp to the students .They come to know the educated society in a manner of teacjhing . jai matha di.
 
mona - Bangalore on 5/6/2009 2:36:18 PM
yes, ofcourse i liked this article because no-a days the society has changed a lot .Actually this is not a moral but this topic is very imp to the students .They come to know the educated society in a manner of teacjhing . jai matha di.
 
do not matters does not matter - currently thisDISGUSTINGINDIA on 5/6/2009 1:32:48 AM
question is: HOW EXACTLY CAN VALUE OF EDUCATION CAN BE DESCRIBED? answer is: VALUE OF EDUCATION IS ALWAYS IS JUDGED PER EXPERIENCES!
 
rajashree - chennai on 5/5/2009 10:19:16 PM
well written. The educated shud set examples so also the parents who shud spend quality time with their children to inculcate good behaviour and humane attitude towards one and all
 
Manoj Nair - London on 5/5/2009 8:32:04 PM
A very well written article and i totally agree with it. Education is not limited to the boundaries of schools & colleges but a very important part of any child's education takes place at home. Starting from the first spoken words to social behaviour, respect & tolerance everything can be taught at home - BUT WHO HAS GOT THE TIME..... Nuclear families, working parents, TV, Internet, etc do ensure that children are robbed of the value & character building that used to happen at home. So unless & until, we the parents of today do realise the need and importance of EDUCATION@HOME, the current lack of morality, discipline & respect that is seen in our society is bound to continue....
 


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