Shiksha Shikshan Evam Shikshan

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Shiksha, Shikshan evam Shikshan" by Dr. Kahaini Bhanavat:

The text emphasizes that teaching (Shikshan) is the educational interaction between the teacher and the learner. The teacher, the learner, and teaching itself are likened to a confluence (tiraha) from which the river of education flows, with the teacher and learner as its parallel banks. The harmony, understanding, and cooperation between them make education dynamic, intelligent, and auspicious, just as their coordination makes the river full, watery, and abundant.

The author highlights the paramount importance of the teacher's role, comparing it to that of a warrior in battle. Just as a warrior needs not only weapons but also the wisdom to use them effectively according to the situation, a teacher must understand which teaching methodologies to employ based on the type of students, their intelligence levels, and the subject matter. The teacher must discover a theoretical and practical approach that fosters the holistic development of the child's personality. Education should be comprehensible yet not burdensome, enjoyable yet not disheartening, and should ignite curiosity rather than disgust.

The text acknowledges the diversity among students, noting that they can be of dull or sharp intellect, physically or mentally challenged, studious or introverted, carefree or cheerful. Amidst these variations, the teacher must maintain a high standard, distinguished identity, and excellent tradition in their teaching practice. It is a time when not only the teacher tests the students, but the students also, in their own way, test the teacher.

The author strongly criticizes outdated teaching methods, deeming them irrelevant, useless, impractical, and unscientific. The old ways of imparting knowledge through rote learning or physical punishment are obsolete. Modern education demands that teachers adapt to new and innovative methods, seeking to hone their teaching skills and infuse their lessons with elements that activate students, develop their critical thinking, enhance their reasoning abilities, and instill human values. The goal is for students to become good individuals, so they don't lament: "Even waste newspaper has its use, but what use is a waste human?"

The text asserts that an ideal teacher cannot be made through fear-inducing methods, harsh punishments, or manipulative tricks. Education is not magic or mere entertainment; it is a life-building elixir. It's likened to the lotus flower untouched by water or the guava fruit that ripens only once a year on a special night, making its branch bloom. The saying "to give a guava flower" signifies achieving success after great difficulty, echoing a sentiment from a poem about how even the guava tree will eventually bear fruit.

The author concludes by emphasizing that the future of education lies in innovation. New teaching methods, approaches, and concepts will continue to emerge. Therefore, seminars, workshops, and conferences play a crucial role in facilitating the exchange of ideas, sharing experiences, resolving difficulties, and staying abreast of educational innovations and experiments. The pursuit of knowledge and learning has no age limit. Sticking to traditional and rigid paths does not offer freshness. To truly absorb the essence of science and knowledge, the windows of learning must remain open to all directions. The text concludes with an anecdote about a fox trying to trick a crow into singing by praising its voice, but the crow, now wise, recognizes the trick, exclaiming that the praise sounds like a divine announcement, causing the fox to flee.