Jivan Ke Parivesh Me Parivartan Aur Shiksha - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jivan ke Parivesh me Parivartan aur Shiksha" by Sagarmal Jain and Bijavat:

The text discusses the significant and rapid changes in the environment of human life due to scientific and technological advancements and explores the implications for education. The author, Sagarmal Jain, contrasts the past with the present, highlighting how these changes have dramatically altered societal priorities and individual lifestyles.

Key Observations and Concerns:

Shifting Priorities: The author notes a drastic shift in spending priorities. While basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter remain, new and often more expensive expenditures have emerged. These include education donations (sometimes seen as bribes), admission to English-medium schools, mobile phones, computers, printers, billboards, club memberships, and annual trips to hill resorts.
Unforeseen Technological Impact: The pace of technological development is described as unprecedented and almost unimaginable. Advancements have led to the automation of tasks, rendering traditional manual labor increasingly impractical. The author questions the future of human employment when technology takes over jobs.
Altered Daily Life: The contemporary scene is depicted with people constantly engrossed in mobile phones while commuting on scooters, motorcycles, and cars. This leads to a lack of personal interaction and an atmosphere of constant stress and hurriedness. The proliferation of advertisements and tempting displays further contributes to this environment.
Erosion of Values and Social Fabric: The text expresses concern over the erosion of human sensitivity and the breakdown of social and family structures, leading to increased isolation. Unchecked desires are seen as destroying boundaries and potentially fracturing the social fabric.
Neglect of Morality and Culture: The author laments the diminishing importance placed on religion and morality. There's a tendency to dismiss traditional values and practices as outdated. Globalization and the influx of foreign capital in large industries are seen as opening up the economy to the extent that domestic businesses and traditional livelihoods are being threatened.
Economic Disparities: The text points to the growing economic divide, even within small villages, exacerbated by the unchecked growth of wealth and the concentration of capital in large businesses. This leads to the displacement of small entrepreneurs and a widening gap between the rich and the poor.
Commercialization of Education: The author criticizes the private sector's entry into education, which has led to a focus on English-medium schools, donation-based admissions, and the commercialization of education itself, turning it into a business rather than a service. The rise of private universities and vocational colleges, coupled with a focus on management, is seen as potentially increasing exploitation.

Proposed Solutions for Education:

In light of these societal transformations, the author suggests several key changes for the education system:

Re-evaluation of Private Educational Institutions: The author advocates for a re-evaluation of private educational institutions, suggesting a shift towards better management of government schools to improve educational standards. The current situation, where private schools often prioritize donations and commercial interests, is deemed problematic.
Emphasis on Vocational Education: Beyond theoretical knowledge, vocational education is deemed essential for students to acquire skills that ensure self-sufficiency and economic security.
Integration of Arts and Literature: To foster critical thinking, intelligence, and creativity, the inclusion of literature and arts in the curriculum is considered necessary.
Preparation for Globalization: With the rapid pace of globalization and technological advancement, the author predicts a future where national borders may dissolve, leading to a globalized world. Education should prepare students for this by promoting multilingualism:
- Primary education (Classes 1-3) in regional languages.
- From Class 4-7, include national language (Hindi) alongside regional or mother tongue.
- By High School (Class 10), incorporate an international language like English. The example of Navodaya Vidyalayas is mentioned as a positive step in this direction.
Development of Character and Universal Values: In a future global society, the text stresses the importance of cultivating qualities like fraternity, equality, and empathy. It calls for transcending differences in caste, language, gender, and tradition, emphasizing cultural pride, gentlemanly conduct, and a spirit of uplifting the less fortunate. Ultimately, education must focus on character development and moral upliftment, alongside intellectual growth. The author leaves it to educationists to further deliberate on this crucial aspect.

In essence, the text serves as a critical examination of the profound impact of modern changes on life and argues for a fundamental restructuring of the education system to equip individuals for a rapidly evolving world while preserving essential human and ethical values.