Committees and Commissions Towards Values in India

The importance of value education has beendulycannot afford to ignore this purposeful force".
recognized by different education commissionsNational Policy on Education (1986) felt that "the
and committees appointed by the government.growing concern over the erosion of essential
The Hartog Committee of (1929) felt thatvalues and an increasing cynicism in society has
religious instruction can be given in commonbrought to focus the need for readjustments in
schools outside the school hours.the curriculum in order to make education a
The Central Advisory Board of education felt inforceful tool for the cultivation of social and moral
(1946) that religious and moral instruction wasvalues".
important and that it should be left to theProgramme of Action (NPE) (1992) recommended
community to which the pupils belong. Øthat "the framework emphasized value education
The Radhakrishnan Commission (1948) felt that "ifas an integral part of school curriculum. It
we exclude spiritual training in our institutions wehighlighted the values drawn from national goals,
would be untrue to our whole historicaluniversal perception, ethical considerations and
development".character building. It stressed the role of education
The Secondary Education Commission's report inin combating obscurantism, religious fanaticism,
(1953) favored that religious and moral instructionexploitation and injustice as well as the inculcation
should be given in schools outside the school hoursof values". The main function of education is to
on voluntary basis. Ø The Sri Prakasaproduce citizens with sound character and a
Commission of Religious and Moral instructionhealthy personality. Good citizens are the only
(1959) had recommended that moral educationhope for the progress and prosperity of the
should be imparted in all educational institutions.country. Inspiring values, ideals, proper moral
Kothari Commission (1964-66) felt that "a seriousconduct, life based upon good principles is an
defect in the school system is the absence ofessential requisite. The ideals of virtue, goodness,
provision for education in social, moral and spiritualtrue manliness from the very essence of real
values. A national system of education that isdignified living.
related to life, needs and aspirations of the people