ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 85

His life is full of instances where he first practiced the principle of Ahiṁsā on himself and then used them in his life for social causes as well as improving the life of others. His methods of achieving the objective were also peaceful (Satyāgraha). Dandi March (12 March 1930), Quit India Movement are examples of this practice.
2.0. Need for Ahiṁsā in education sector Children /Students are the main actors /beneficiaries/customers of the education system. The teachers come next as they are the instruments of imparting knowledge and value system to the children. To enable this transfer of knowledge and values, the school facilities, administration, government and social policies and the advent of technology play an equally important role. A quick look at the existing scenario on these factors show:
Vision Statement: It has to be made broader by including the total personality development (i.e. all inclusive development of academic and extracurricular activities; social and emotional skills). Value systems: Parents /family systems are being replaced by Media and hired support organizations (crèches / streets /baby sitters) which promote Selfishness, aggression, loneliness and inability to face real life situations properly. The same can be said to affect both the children and the teachers as well to some extent. Thus new skills such as non violent communications, compassion, self-restraint, meditation, tolerance are to be included as a part of training in the school for children and the teachers alike. School environment: Prevention of rampant indiscipline, fear amongst children and teachers alike, intolerance, lack of concern to each other, lack of motivation and transfer of all problems to the state (government for solution) is the key to the success of schools and the education system. This need to be supported by effective use of advances in information and communication technologies is needed to develop more detailed and uniform teaching methods as well as impart training in these technologies also.
The above statements are true to a large extent in government and aided schools in India as well and so called Public Schools in USA. In Private schools in USA and India, the situation is different due to more concern of the parents and teachers alike but the problems do persist to some extent with priorities changing on their occurrences.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0