Our Education

OUR EDUCATION Recognized by the UNESCO'S Education Abstracts as a thoughtful treatise and highly spoken of by Indian educationists.

SOME OPINIONS :

The Modern Review, Calcutta : The book is inspired by the educational

ideas of the Ramakrishna Mission whose achievements in the field of education are, as is well-known, of no mean order. It is written by one who has devoted his life to the cause of education and his views are therefore well worth careful consideration. The book, rep'ete as it is with many valuable and practical suggestions, is an important contribution to our educational literature. It is both stimulating and thoughtprovoking. We welcome it and recommend it to all who are interested in the subject of Indian education.

Sri B. G. Kher, Ex-Chif Minister, Bombay : ... The book has an excellent chapter on "Women's Education," It makes some useful suggestions about starting hostels and schools of various types. On the whole, quite a useful contribution to the literature on the subjects. Amrita Bazar Partika, Calcutta : ... Swamiji deals with one of our most vital national problems in a new light and his suggestions deserve the consideration of all educationists. ... The book should not be missed by those who care for the welfare of India.

The Hindu, Madras : The book is marked by deep earnestness and sincerity. The Swami does not rest with mere destructive criticism. He suggests positive constructive lines of reform. The author suggests various types of national institutions of all grades which are specially detailed in the last chapter of the book. According to him, our national Institutions must provide the requisite environment for self-control, self-discipline, and the practice of other virtues that constitute character. The author recommends the rapid revival of the Gurukula system of old (modified to suit modern conditions). ... The book is an excellent treatise, well written, and well worth the study of all educationists and others interested in the reconstruction of education.

An article explaining a scheme of educational work adopted by the Ramakrishna Mission in 1928 was published under the caption “Some Reflections on the Educational Activities of the Ramakrishna Mission” in the first six issues of the Prabuddha Bharata of that year. The bulk of that article forms the basis of the present book. It has, however, been modified, rearranged and supplemented so as to cover current thoughts and problems regarding education in India and to extend its interest to all who have the welfare of this land at heart.

Our Education deals with almost all the salient points of the topic and is divided into three sections under the heads, AS IT IS, AS IT SHOULD BE, and how, which explain themselves.

Our labour will be amply rewarded if this humble endeavour be of any service to the various national crganizations of India that are striving or intend to strive to spread the right kind of education in this land.

By way of commenting on the state of education in this country during the British regime, and suggesting, measures for its improvement through social service organizations within the land, Our Education was published in 1945.

Since then India has been undergoing momentous changes. Gaining her independence in 1947 after a prolonged struggle against foreign rule, she has been striving hard to go ahead in all directions—social, cultural and economic. Naturally, the spread of education as a panacea for all social evils has been getting particular attention of the national Government. A promising period of transition has ensued in the wake of political independence. This, therefore, appears to be a favourable time for bringing out a second edition of this book.

As its contents will show, Our Education may serve a useful purpose under the present congenial circumstances. Many people are now actively engaged in solving the problem of education of this country. They may feel interested in knowing what Swami Vivekananda had thought about the problem more than half a century ago. This book is based primarily on the view-point of the prophetic sage.

**Contents and Sample Pages**