Examining the Significance of Moral Values in Education and NEP's Emphasis on Holistic Development
Moral education involves instilling beliefs about right and wrong in children. It guides their intentions, attitudes, and behaviors, fostering reflection on behavior and personal values. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, launched by the Government of India, focuses on comprehensive education, aiming for full human potential and a just society. It emphasizes developing cognitive, social, ethical, moral, and emotional capacities.
In the past, Moral Science was compulsory in middle school, positively impacting human values. However, it declined due to perceptions of its religious connotation. In today's diverse world, with conflicting moral values, there's a need for universally accepted values like kindness, respect, and compassion. Incorporating moral education in schools is seen as crucial for students to lead principled lives.
Promoting moral values through education is seen as a catalyst for students to embrace truthfulness, honesty, charity, hospitality, tolerance, love, kindness, and sympathy. Advocates suggest government initiatives for moral education training in various organisations. The hope is that with moral education integrated into NEP 2020, India's education will surpass international standards, moulding future generations into socially conscious individuals.