GS Paper 4
Syllabus: Ethics in Education/ Ethica in Personal and professional lives
Source: Th
Context The University Grants Commission (UGC) is pushing for values and ethics in higher education through guidelines like Mulya Pravah 2.0.
What is Mulya Pravah 2.0?
It is a guideline issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in India, aiming to instil human values and professional ethics in higher education institutions. It is a modified version of the 2019 Mulya Pravah guideline.
Features of the guidelines:
| Features | Details |
| Aim | Inculcating human values and professional ethics in higher education institutions to build value-based institutions and promote constitutional values. |
| Guideline Objectives | Instil deep respect for fundamental duties and constitutional values. Develop a culture of integrity, accountability, transparency, and inclusiveness in higher education institutions. |
| Emphasis on Transparency | Decision-making should be guided solely by institutional and public interest, devoid of biases. Abolishment of discriminatory privileges; emphasis on punishing the corrupt. |
| Core Values | Institutions are urged to ensure integrity, trusteeship, harmony, accountability, inclusiveness, commitment, respectfulness, belongingness, sustainability, constitutional values, and global citizenship. |
| Administrative Accountability | Administration should prioritize transparency, fairness, honesty, and the highest ethical standards. Refrain from misappropriation and reject gifts that may compromise impartial duties. |
| Confidentiality and Right to Information | The guideline emphasizes maintaining confidentiality and conflicting with the right to information. It mandates institutions to voluntarily disclose critical information for public scrutiny. |
| Teacher’s Role | Teaching is a noble profession; teachers are expected to act as role models. |
| Stakeholder Unions and Associations | The expectation for staff and student unions to support the administration in development activities.’ |
Potential Issues with Guidelines
- Lack of definition for ‘dignified manner’ may lead to suppressing dissent.
- Associations and unions have faced bans, suspensions, and legal battles.
- Guideline’s effectiveness hinges on sincere implementation efforts
- Conflicts, such as the emphasis on confidentiality conflicting with the right to information
- Reservations about unions’ limited role in protecting members’ rights.
- The guideline may face challenges in practical application.
For: Ethical concerns regarding Indian educational institutions: Click Here
For: Reasons for Prevalence of Unethical Practices: Click Here
For: The implications of the prevalence of unethical practices: Click Here
Thinker view on values in Education:
| Scholar | Perspective |
| Swami Vivekananda | Emphasized character-building and moral education for a strong and prosperous nation. Education should focus on physical, intellectual, and spiritual development. |
| Mahatma Gandhi | Stressed that education without values is incomplete. Advocated for values like truth, non-violence, and compassion to create a just and peaceful society. Character development is vital in education. |
| Rabindranath Tagore | Advocated for holistic development, emphasizing the significance of value education. Education should harmonize individuals with nature and society, fostering a sense of responsibility. |
Best practices in the world on education:
| Country | Approach |
| Japan | “Moral education” focuses on cultivating moral responsibility and social conscience. Emphasizes values like honesty, kindness, and respect. |
| Finland | Holistic education includes value education as a crucial part. Emphasis on character education and ethical development is reflected in high global rankings. |
| Australia | The “Values Education” program aims at developing social and emotional intelligence. Promotes values like respect, responsibility, fairness, and compassion. |
| Singapore | The “National Education” program aims at developing national identity, social responsibility, and civic consciousness. Emphasizes values like loyalty, resilience, and social harmony. |
| Canada | Emphasis on developing moral reasoning and ethical decision-making skills. The curriculum promotes values like empathy, justice, and inclusivity. |
Conclusion:
The ultimate goal of education should be to enhance the quality and integrity of the education system while protecting individual rights and promoting a culture of accountability and transparency.
Insta Links:
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Mains Links:
Can ethics and morals be taught in educational institutions? If yes, make a case for introducing a course on ethics right from school. (250 Words)
