Contribution of Tagore to educational thought and practice

Q. Contribution of Tagore to educational thought and practice

Introduction

Dr. Ravindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta in May 6, 1861. He was the first Indian to win Noble Prize for literature in November 1913, for his famous work Gitanjli. He has taken active part in Swadeshi Movement. He was Patriot, Artist, Philosopher, Saint, Educationist and Karma Yogi, 7^th August, 1941, breathes his last.

Basic Principles of TAGORE’S educational philosophy .

1. Harmony with all things: One of the basic principles of the philosophy of Tagore is ‘harmony with all things’ – harmony with nature, harmony with human surroundings and harmony in international relations. According to him, the highest education is that which makes our life harmony with all existence. His philosophy of education is based on Naturalism, Humanism, Idealism and Internationalism.
2. Freedom: He was of the view that the children should be given freedom so that they are able to grow and develop as per their own wishes. Let there be freedom of mind, freedom of heart and freedom of will. The help to have spontaneous self-expression. In such an environment of freedom, nature will teach and teach very well making the individual and successful person in his social set up of life. To him education is that which liberates an individual.
3. Creative Self Expression: Tagore was not in favour of mere intellectual development. He stressed that education should promote creative self-expression. He suggested that creative self-expression could be promoted through subjects of life craft, music, drawing and dramatics. The environment of freedom given to the learner and then creating situations for him will automatically make the learner do something original.
4. Active communication with nature and man: Tagore recommended the education should be provided in the company of nature. That will strengthen the ties between man and nature. Both man and nature are the creations of one and the same God. This will naturally strengthen spiritual relationship between the two. Thus his naturalism was different from the one advocated by Rousseau. ‘Love and harmony among all the things that exist in nature’, was the basis of his educational philosophy.
5. Internationalism .

As noted above, Tagore was an internationalist to the core. He translated his passion for the unity of man in Viswabharti which still remains the symbol of world culture and international understanding.