Chapter III

Today, the educational system, though very expensive elaborate has ignored instruction in morals. In the Gurukulas of the past, instruction was provided for right living, spiritual advancement and moral conduct and behaviour. In those days students were trained to lead lives marked by humility, sense-control, virtue and discipline. Now, these qualities are not recognisable among them. They are not aware of the means or meaning of sense- control. From childhood they revel in following every whim and fancy; they find pleasure in the free play of the senses and believe in materialism only. As a result, one is filled with alarm when the situation in the colleges is looked into. The Head of the Department of Health in Calcutta has found that 80 out of every 100 students in the Calcutta University are afflicted by poor health. In the Bombay region, the condition is even worse, affecting 90 out of every hundred. The reason is to be found in the fact that the students are engaged in sensual living, the uncontrolled pursuit of sensory pleasure and evil habits. Can these be counted as gains from education? Or are they to be called 'riches' accumulated through perverse ignorance?

Teachers have to identify their role and their responsibility. They have to bear a major share in fostering and preserving the mental and physical health of their tender, innocent wards.