Shiksha Ka Vartaman Swarup

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Shiksha ka Vartaman Swarup" (The Current Nature of Education) by Suresh Sisodiya, presented in English:

The article critiques the current state of education, arguing that it has devolved into a mere means of livelihood, neglecting the crucial aspects of moral and character development. The author, Suresh Sisodiya, highlights a significant departure from the traditional purpose of education, which was to foster personality and instill virtues.

Key Criticisms of Modern Education:

• Focus on Livelihood: Education is primarily seen as a path to earning a living, with curricula focused on producing doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, and administrative officers. There is a conspicuous absence of moral education within these modern syllabi.
• Failure to Create a Virtuous Society: Despite imparting higher education, the current system has failed to cultivate a civilized, cultured, and peace-loving society.
• Parental Indifference: Parents often consider their responsibility fulfilled by simply admitting their child to school and paying the fees. They fail to inquire about the child's companions or whether teachers impart moral and character education beyond textbook knowledge.
• Teacher Quality and Selection: The selection of teachers is often based on favoritism, sycophancy, and political influence rather than genuine knowledge and ethical values. This results in educators who may lack character and moral grounding, making it difficult for them to impart these qualities to students.
• Commercialization of Education: Education has become a highly commercialized industry. Unlike in ancient times when wealthy individuals and societies established educational institutions as a philanthropic endeavor, today, industrialists see education as a lucrative business, prioritizing profit over the holistic development of students. This trend is further exacerbated by the government also viewing education as a source of revenue, leading to exorbitant fees in schools and colleges.
• Degradation of Teacher-Student Relationship: The relationship between teachers and students has deteriorated, often characterized by transactional exchanges (money for education) rather than mutual respect and reverence. This commercial aspect has eroded the traditional honor accorded to gurus.
• Misplaced Priorities in Higher Education: The goal of higher education has shifted from becoming cultured and character-driven individuals to simply obtaining a degree for employment. The limited hours of study in colleges make it unrealistic to expect students to become knowledgeable and virtuous.
• Educational Malpractices: The article points to widespread malpractices such as the leakage of exam papers, purchasing degrees through monetary transactions, and ghostwriting PhD theses, all of which exemplify the corrupt state of modern education.
• Brain Drain: India possesses immense talent, but many gifted students are lured abroad with attractive offers, contributing to a "brain drain." To retain talent, it's crucial to provide them with opportunities that match their abilities within the country.

The Jain Perspective on Ideal Education:

The text then contrasts this with the Jain perspective on education, drawing upon Jain scriptures and literature.

• Ancient Ideal: In ancient times, education was not linked to earning a livelihood. It was focused on spiritual and moral development, imparted by gurus without financial considerations.
• Ideal Student: Jain literature describes an ideal disciple as one who endures hardships, remains equanimous in pleasure and pain, is content with little, is free from pride, readily offers service, and praises their guru. Such disciples are highly valued.
• Importance of Vinaya (Humility/Respect): The text emphasizes that even a student with many virtues should not be taught if they lack humility. A student without virtues is entirely unsuitable for learning.
• Knowledge and Conduct: Jain texts highlight the interconnectedness of knowledge and conduct. True knowledge is seen in those who are character-driven, even if they don't possess extensive intellectual knowledge. Actions without knowledge and knowledge without actions are considered ineffective. One who remains steadfast in conduct and possesses knowledge can overcome the cycle of birth and death.
• The Path to Liberation: The scriptures stress the importance of right perception (Samyak Darshan), right knowledge (Samyak Gyan), and right conduct (Samyak Charitra) as the path to liberation. Without right conduct, liberation is not possible.
• Need for Moral Education: The author concludes that the current education system and the perception of education as a means of livelihood are equally responsible for the decline in educational standards. To foster a civilized and moral society, both practical education and moral education must be integrated. Honest efforts are needed to prevent the commercialization of Jain education.

Recommendations:

• Integrate Moral Education: Society and the government must work honestly to ensure that children receive moral education alongside practical education.
• Respect and Support Teachers: Dedicated and honest teachers should be respected and provided with financial security and a high social standing.
• Develop a New Educational System: The need for a new educational system that goes beyond the current distorted methods and focuses on character building and value education is paramount.
• Philanthropic Investment: There is a need for education-loving and generous individuals to invest their wealth in developing a value-based education system and establishing institutions that promote character development.

In essence, the article is a strong call to reform the education system, urging a return to its foundational purpose of character building and moral development, drawing parallels and lessons from Jain philosophy and ancient traditions.