Education for a Better World? : Gandhi’s Ideas on Education and their Relevance in Modern India

Title data

Vollmer, Theresa:
Education for a Better World? : Gandhi’s Ideas on Education and their Relevance in Modern India.
In: Wulf, Christoph (ed.): Exploring Alterity in a Globalized World. - London : Routledge , 2016 . - pp. 94-114 . - XVII, 513 S.
ISBN 978-1-138-66863-8

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Abstract in another language

Concerning Gandhi’s social and political thought the vision of a more socially just society comes to mind. Even if Gandhi spoke for free and compulsory primary education and developed a concept of ‘basic education’ his ideas on education are widely unknown at the present time. Goal of this article is to give an overview on Gandhi’s ideas on education and to answer the question as to what extent they are relevant in modern India. Gandhi’s approach to education appears holistic and focused on both the individual and the society. Aim and purpose of education is on the one side the self-transformation of the individual towards a satyagrahi, a non-violent personality, and on the other side the transformation of the society to betterment. Although the question of the relevance of Gandhi’s ideas on education in modern India can only be touched upon, this article argues that in the view of current challenges some of Gandhi’s ideas are still relevant. Possible aspects of relevance are offered.