Role of Education to Meet Global Challenges

Values lead to the aims of human life and act as standard bearers toward achieving these aims. Aims and values are closely related and one without the other may not have any significance, Values are categorized in four spheres. These are individual, national, religious and global which are influenced by the Family, the State, Religious institutions and World institutions respectively. These are the ‘pressure groups’ which foster various values among human beings. The values as work, competition, individualism, socio-economic success and self dependence are inculcated through the Family Values of patriotism, common heritage, citizen responsibilities and the national identity are imbibed through The State and Religion inculcates values of devotion and faith. Socio-economic and educational world institutions serve to promote values of Pluralism, tolerance, concern for the eco-system, global peace and friendship, liberalism and globalization. All these four ‘pressure groups’ are formal and informal agencies of education. In spite of the efforts of these educational institutions lots of problems are faced by societies and social groups causing challenges at global scenario. Mainly the problems faced are (i) Groupism (ii) Environmental catastrophes (iii) Dictatorships (iv) Breakdown of the family (v) Resistance to change (vi) Dangers magnified. Though the societies have gathered so much knowledge power and ability, still so many problems are faced by the societies, the question arises do we need better controls or do we need to change direction? Education is the only tool in the hands of the ‘pressure groups’. We should modify the vision of education. This could be inculcated to produce kind of mind we require to solve these problems. There is no uniform prescription for all countries and cultures. At macro level or at international level human minds or Psyche should be of the type (i) global, not a nationalistic mind (ii) committed to human, not economic development only (iii) An inquiring, not conforming mind (iv) co-operative, not competitive mind (v) A learning not an acquisitive mind (vi) A mind, scientific and religion (vii) concerned with the art of living (viii) A holistic mind. In new vision, education should not only take the responsibility to impart information and skill but also to awaken sensitivity and creativity in the min of the child. Education is a tool to transform consciousness of human mind to face challenges at individual as well as at global level