Value education bringing marked improvement in behaviour of students, teachers: Goa CM

Panaji, Jul 12 (PTI) The introduction of value education, or 'Mulyavardhan', in the school curriculum has led to marked improvement in the behaviour of students and teachers, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Saturday.

He was addressing via video link a group of students and teachers as part of efforts to review 'Mulyavardhan', which has been introduced in schools in the state in association with non-profit organisation Shantilal Muttha Foundation.

"We introduced value education in government higher secondary and high schools for students six years ago. Teachers are trained to impart value education. In six years, we have seen marked improvement in the behaviour of students and teachers due to value education," Sawant said.

The concept introduced by Shantilal Muttha Foundation in Goa schools is now being adopted by other states, he said, adding that 80,000 students in 450 schools and 2,700 teachers have been trained so far.

"When we speak about value education, it includes justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, Students should be taught through activity based learning. This programme is implemented by breaking language barriers. Education is provided in the schools in Marathi, Hindi, English and even Urdu," he said.

"Value education teaches the students how to behave at home, in school and in society. Value education includes aspects like waste management, personal hygiene, road safety and Yoga. Students have started contributing for the waste management initiative. They are also taught about personal hygiene. Teaching about road safety is important as at least one life is lost everyday in Goa in road accidents," the CM said.

Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking Yoga to the global level, Sawant said schools, during the daily assembly, must ask students to perform the ancient art for 15-20 minutes, which will also help them concentrate.

"The state government has managed to give at least one modern classroom in each school. Education on coding and robotics has been introduced and now covers 65,000 students. The state education department is monitoring more than 2 lakh students and teachers on daily basis," he added.

Asked about complaints related to corporal punishment, he said he felt bad that police complaints are sometimes filed against teachers for assaulting students.

"I am urging teachers to adopt value education in order to reduce such kind of incidents. Teachers should not expect students to be all rounders. Instead, teachers must concentrate on the students' core strengths," the CM opined. PTI RPS BNM