Evaluation of Gandhiji’s Philosophy.
- Even though Gandhi is known more for his political than educational dealings, his contribution to education is profound and unique.
- He was the first Indian who advocated a scheme of education based on the essential values of Indian culture and civilization.
- The methods and techniques advocated by him and the environment he prescribed, revolutionized Indian thinking and way of living.
- Gandhi was devoted to idealism and wanted to translate his ideals and values into practice.
- His philosophy of education is a harmonious blend of idealism, naturalism and pragmatism. There is no conflict between the 3 philosophies. They are contributory to one another – Idealism is the base whereas naturalism and pragmatism are helpers.
- Gandhiji advocated ideals of truth, non-violence, moral values to achieve ultimate truth or self-realization. This is visible in the Indian ethos of traditional educational systems such as the Vedic, Buddhist and Jain systems.
- His greatness as an educational philosopher lies in the fact that the dominant tendencies of idealism, naturalism and pragmatism are separate and independent in his philosophy but they are inseparable. They fuse into a unity and give rise to theory of education which suits the need of the day and satisfies aspirations of human soul.
Conclusion
Thus Gandhiji’s teachings are very effective to develop a child physically, mentally and spiritually.
