Education / Literacy: A Heart of Human Resource

Education is not a business but a religion, A teacher has not to teach subjects of mathematics, Science languages etc. Mechanically man has brain and the body depends upon balanced development of brain and heart. Hence games physical training health, causes of disease etc. are also connected with education, hence Human feelings are also connected with education, in other words of krishnamurti, body, mind and heart work together, then development of students is possible with the highest quality. it is the primary responsibility of a teacher to educate students and the best service to Humanity is teaching of Education and made them literate in every field of life.

Literacy - Education - Human Rights

The internationalization of Human Rights was began by the league of Nations after the WorldWar-I. An important milestone was reached by the address to congress on 6th January, 1941, by the American President Roosvelt, in which he outlined the four essential feature for a new world order : Freedom from want and freedom from fear, with emphasis on Rights and Individuals, The allied countries of the WorldWar-II too ascertained to preserve Human Rights and justice in their own lands as well as in other countries. The United Nations which was formed in 1945 started, "to achieve international co-operation... in promoting and encouraging respect for Human Rights and for fundamental freedom for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion". The Universal declaration of Human Rights was the outcome of this resolve in the form of an international Bill of Rights of June, 1946, adopted as declaration on 10th, December, 1948.

The Universal declaration of Human Rights was a milestone in judicial and Human history, embodying a set of guarantees for a person to be able not only to live but to live with dignity in order to develop fully and use one's Human qualities, intelligence, talents and conscience to satisfy one's spiritual, physical, social and other needs. In other words, one's Right to be Human. The international community as a whole accepted the protection and promotion of Human Rights as a permanent obligation and valid principle for every political and social system and cultural tradition. Decades have passed, but the world scenario today presents a dismal picture on Human Rights.

India has a record of flagrant violation of Human Rights at every level. A wide range of conflicts, in the socio-cultural and the political, threaten the Rights of very large number of people.

The situation seems black and hopeless, The U.N. Secretary General, Boutras Ghali admits it in his Annual Report, 1993, saying, The U.N. World Conference on Human Rights, June 1993 in Vienna did not succeed in evolving a consensus on the vital issue of Universality of Human Rights and a definition of violation of Human Rights accepted to the two camps - the Asian states led by china and the Western Nations, The Human Rights Commission bill, 1993 was passed by our parliament with one of its objectives to constitute a National Human Rights Commission. As per its provision the majority of in the Commission will consist of bureaucrats and politicians, Activists, Social Scientists, representatives of civil Rights Organization, trade union or voluntary organizations working in the field of Literacy, do not find a place in it, a situation where are creation of confidence in the public mind would be far from a reality.

Literacy in the contemporary age is a subject of ever wider dimensions, At any rate it is not limited to imparting knowledge only. The relevant dimension of education in the context of "Human Right" is its role as an instrument of non-violent, social change or social transformation, Human Rights Education is not one of the programmes of Education but it is a system it self wholly dedicated to the realization of a peaceful and non-violent society.

After Literacy education is a process of molding lives intellectually physically and spiritually. "Basic Education" seek to harmonies the hand, heart and head and that too for a social purpose. While development of the individual is important and valuable, it cannot be pursued in isolation of the social objectives. Human Rights Education in such a process will take the forum of community education with a new set of values and the new way of life. A military dictatorship can certainly impose Human Rights on its subject but it will be the peace of graveyard. Human Rights Education in a democratic set up depends upon the political awareness of people. Youth and women with proper Human Right Education can be a strong democratic instrument to man legislative bodies with a legislators who would support legislation ensuring Human Rights through.

1. Promoting of literacy.

2. Cultivation of balanced personality and power of reasoning.

3. Family life education

4. Resource management.

5. Enhancement of quality of life.

6. Maintenance of cultural heritage.

INDIAN CONTEXT :

For better result and development of the region, country like India had privileged to host and education for all ( SFA ) summit in 1993 which was attended by nine populous countries namely India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, Nigeria, and Pakistan. These countries account for more than half of the world's population and 70 % of the world illiterates. The deliberation focus on specific themes like mobilization, people's participation for SFA, External and internal financial resources for SFA, girls and woman education, woman's employment and population issue and "Education and society".

The summit had drawn the attention of entire world under the leadership of India, it is envisaged that there will be periodic consultations among the policy makers, academics and educational administrators of the nine countries to asses how these countries are individually and collectively proceeding toward the goal of SFA and for sharing of experiences. In addition to the three sponsors of this SFA summit UNESCO, UNICEF and UNFPA, 23 international bodies have participated. The Delhi declaration Rightly calls upon international collaborators and financial institution to raise their support for the effort of these countries for SFA.

"Education is a life-long process" . It is like a tree that must be allowed to grow and nature- a simple but powerful idea of life-long learning for all men. The term used here is "Continuing Education" . The central task of Continuing Education is vocational and professional In-service education throughout life, adulthood stretches out before us. It is the time when our power of learning are at its peak, when we are freed of the necessities of formal schooling & when we may pursue to our own benefit & to the benefit of society the special kinds of learning which give to life its interest and value.

There are number of adult and Continuing Education centres stretched around the country affiliated and the Universities. Many groups with in the general public are beginning to think in terms of Continuing Education Corporations & Business houses . Continuing Education of Professional & all people is important because knowledge becomes absolute in terms of complete education. Continuing Education is based on principle that learning does not ceased with the attainment of degrees or diplomas . It is a misnomer to believe that one becomes completely educated since the mere man knows the more there is to know.

One of the most difficult social problems that India faces today is the problem of the employed youth. Unemployment has been in existence and cause greatest social tension. The Unemployed youth today find themselves demoted to the rank of second rank rate citizens. Through establishment of shramik vidyapeeths in the country like India can enable the real charm and need base training for employment to literate, Neo-Literate, Semi skill holders and even skilled workers too, But SVP in India should be entertained fully a part of Govt. machinary like 'Shaksharta Samitis' are fully empowered with sufficient budget & finance to serve the country in the field of Literacy for All Human Rights.

The society and its institutional systems are unprepared to receive and provide for the unemployed who often get into various unethical & immoral ways to fight the social stigma attached to them. They are unemployed because their training so far has mode them unemployable. The values of the home and school do not make them fit and SVP's of the country can solve this through uniform system of offering employment.

Universal primary Education (UPE) has become a priority throughout the world during the last 50 years. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948, declared that "Every one has a Right to education" and called for compulsory elementary education. The convention on the Rights of the child, adopted in 1990 by the United Nations, reaffirms every child's Right to education and the states obligation to enforce this Right. At the 1990 World Conference on Education for All ( WCEFA ) the delegates from 155 Governments reaffirmed the previously established commitment to education as a Human Right and acknowledged the responsibility of their governments to provide access a basic education for all. The 1993 Vienna Conference on Human Rights reached a consensus on an number of issues, among them the universality and indicisiality of Human Rights was highlighted.

Besides, the Government of India and the State Governments have adopted legislative and administrative measure for implementation of Human Rights. For instance, Un-touchability (Offence ) Amendment Act, 1976 which prohibits of discrimination on the ground of un-touchability and prescribes punishment for practising un-touchability. Dowry Prohibition Act is passed in 1961 which prohibits the acceptance of dowry. Indian Factories Act and Mines Act have been enacted to prohibit the employment of children below the age of 14 years in the Factories and Mines. Bonded Labour System ( Abolition ) Act, is passed which prohibits the practice of Bonded labour. Besides, Land reforms, review of minimum wages, equality of remuneration of men and women and other legislative measures have been taken to prevent discrimination in employment on the ground of sex. These are the measures recently taken to promote the spirit of the inter-national instruments dealing with Human Rights. However, I am constrained to say that in certain parts of the country, these rights are not available to the masses especially to the poor, ignorant and illiterate persons due to lack of resources, ignorance of law and also due to lack of consciousness towards their rights. As we know ill-treatment of women because of their failure to bring adequate dowry is common evil in many parts of the country. Children below the age of 14 years are very often employed in the factories.

With independence we inherited a system of education which was not only meager in its reach but it was also marked by the persistence of large intro - and inter regional as well as structural imbalances. Only 14% population was literate and only one child out of three had been enrolled in primary schools.

Mahatma Gandhi considered education as a tool for development, stress was accordingly placed on reform and restricting of the educational system. As a result India has made considerable progress toward universalisation of primary education and has crossed the mid way mark of 50 % as far as achievement in literacy is concerned. Yet is has the dubious. distinction of having largest number of illiterates in the world. After 50 years of independence we are still lagging behind by 30 years as far as the target of universal elementary education is concerned. The data provided by the Ministry of Human Resource Development reveal that though there has been considerable expansion in the infrastructural facilities, the goal of providing basic education to all has remained elusive, Equally disquieting is the higher percentage of school dropouts. About 48% of children enrolling for class 1 dropout before reaching class V and are added to the unilliterate mass. it is higher among girls - 49.69%, at the primary and 69.31% at the upper primary level.

A little before midnight on December 10, 1948, the universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the General Assembly of the United dream : To set 'a standard of achievement' for realization of the basic ideals and aspirations of Human beings everywhere and to ensure that their dignity and individual worth universally Respected, Mrs. Elveanor Roosevelt who chaired the session hoped the declaration would be, "The Magna Carta of all Mankind."

Challenges for 21st Century.

Recognition of the Right to learn is now more than ever a major challenge for Humanity. The Right to learn is

The Right to read and write.

The Right to question and analyze.

The Right to imagine and create.

The Right to read one's own world and to write history.

The Right to access to educational resources.

The Right to develop individual and collective skills.

Conclusion / Suggestions:

1. In long run, Human Rights education is an effective solution to the problem. The mass media has an important role to play in this regard. Children, who are tomorrow's citizens must be mode aware of Human Rights at the early age.

2. For safeguard of Human Rights and to combat terrorism problems. It is required to aware public about their Rights and their cooperation / participation and for this help of non political organizations may be solicited.

3. For social justice Human Rights and peace, formation of Action, Groups of individuals, professionals, social activities, academicians, judicial etc. needed.

4. For efficiently and effectively counter the terrorist's activities there is a need of better coordination amongst administration, judiciary police officials and public.

5. To fight against terrorism advanced training is required for a skills and inclusion of modern arms and ammunitions.

6. The role of mass medial cannot be denied. This includes print as well as electronics, the morale of our security/ police personal should be boosted by giving incentives in kind and cash.

7. A strong protest against foreign hands should be propagated at international level.

8. The constitution of India provides equal Right to education for all and provision for free and compulsory education for the children, various committees and Educational policies have stressed the need for universalisation of elementary education. The education for all Summit-1993, made a call upon international support for achieving the goal of EFA. However, due to lack of financial resources and some social illness, we could not attain the goal, Hence, a multi-pronged strategies such as early child hood care and Education, improved Access in the social System, Non-formal Education for the children of 6-14 years, Adult Education for 15-35 years, continuing Education for the Neo-literates and drop-outs, should be adopted so that we can achieve the Fundamental Human Right

Before, I conclude my address, I would like to quote the Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on this concept of Human Rights.

"I learnt from my illiterate but wise mother that all rights to be observed and preserved came from duty well done. Thus the very right to live accumulate to us only when we do the duty of citizenship of the world from this one fundamental statement, perhaps it is easy enough to define the duties of Man and Woman and relate every right to some corresponding duty to be first performed. Every other right can be shown to be a accepting hardly worth fighting for."

Contact Info:

Prof. Ziyauddin S. Saiyed
Director, Shramik Vidyapeeth (Estd. by MHRD)
River-View, Court Road, Bharuch-1, (Gujarat), INDIA