Damayanti Bhattacharya
Principal, Jasudben ML School

Our country’s future draws a lot from what it has been like in the past. India’s rich cultural heritage, deep-rooted values and immense knowledge base has survived generations and remains among us. We had a rampant gurukul system and even well-established universities that attracted worldwide scholars. At that time, we had meagre means for communication and spread of knowledge and wisdom. That has transformed.

Knowledge is now transferred in the blink of an eye and is available at our fingertips. But what about wisdom? The challenge is how to guide young minds to use this knowledge responsibly. It has become imperative to instil core values and nurture emotional intelligence in children from an early age.
A school, often considered a second home for children, therefore plays a vital role in training young minds to harness the power of technology in positive and ethical ways.

What will the world look like in 15 years? What kind of jobs will be available to today’s five-year-olds? Can we equip our children with the required knowledge? Not really. What we can do is use the power of India’s rich value system that has withstood the test of centuries.

Value-based Education and The Shift in Curriculum

The National Education Policy (NEP-2020) has taken this into consideration and incorporates value-based education right from the outset. It makes the goal of every school to nurture well-rounded individuals who will grow up to actively contribute in shaping India’s future. It redefines education as a meaningful service to society, rather than as a means to achieve professional achievement or financial gain. It promotes an education system that equips youngsters with necessary skills and mindset required to navigate through and thrive in a modern world.

As the State, CBSE, CISCE, and NCERT curricula undergo revisions, it’s more important to inculcate values into the educational framework to ensure that students engage with ethical thinking and moral reasoning from an early age. In the Early Childhood stage, where foundational values are best cultivated, ethics should be embedded into every subject, integrated into the learning process rather than an isolated topic. Value-driven experiential moves away from rote memorisation and towards a more immersive educational experience. It allows learners to internalise values organically through everyday interactions and educational experiences. They actively participate in tackling real-world challenges and reflecting on how their actions impact society. This integration can be further enriched by creating dedicated spaces for student growth, such as an Art Den, a Music and Dance Den, and a Language Den, among others.

Teachers as Role Models

The role of teachers has transformed as well. They are not only educators. They are mentors, role models, facilitators and influencers. Their emphasis from the early years should be on the promotion of experiential learning through discovery and self-directed activities. They need to upskill and be constantly updated on the world around them and stay relevant with each generation and their interests.

A flexible pedagogy that nurtures self-awareness, physical growth, relationships, communication, and conservation can create a holistic learning experience. This culture helps develop students who are well-equipped to contribute positively to society as well as carry these values into their personal and professional lives.

The Broader Impact on Society

Emphasizing value-based education has profound societal implications. In today’s interconnected world, it helps bridge social divides and strengthens national unity. As students enter the workforce and take on leadership roles, they bring a strong moral and ethical foundation that this education system has given them. It helps them throughout their professional or personal lives and also contributes to a nation deep-rooted in values and principles such as justice, equality, and fairness. In a diverse country like ours, it helps to promote social cohesion and supports the holistic development of children— emotionally, socially, cognitively, aesthetically, and physically—allowing them to excel academically while also advancing their socio-emotional growth.

As India continues to evolve, it is crucial to embrace an educational vision that honours our core traditional values while also adopting a contemporary and forward-looking academic approach. This vision lays the groundwork for a more compassionate, just, and prosperous society.