Jiddu Krishnamurti - Concepts and Ideals on Education

 

Jiddu Krishnamurti: Philosopher and Teacher

(11 May 1895 – 17 February 1986)

            Jiddu Krishna Moorthy is one of the greatest Indian Education philosophers. He was a well known teacher also. His educational philosophy and contributions were made up on Indian and international outlooks.

Education was always close to Krishnamurti‘s heart. He established nearly a dozen co-educational schools in India and abroad. He translated his philosophical ideals through these schools. These schools followed ordinary curriculum with adequate opportunities and freedom to grow up. The school system is against to any regional, racial class and cultural prejudice. He aimed to develop children as true human being withot any such prejudices, it is a concept of progressive of education.

His schools were operated with two major educational ideals: development of integral education and development of integrated personality. The idea of development of an integrated personality through integral approach to education is highly commended by almost all thinkers.

Jiddu also believed on the idea that “school is to provide for the fullest possible development of each learner for living morally, creatively, and productively in a democratic society.” For Krishnamurti, education is educating the whole person. Education should help an individual to discover the true values which come with unbiased investigation and self-expression.

Characteristics of Integral Education

Integral education is the core of the educational ideals of Jiddu Kirshnamoorthy. Integral education enables a learner for:        

·        Development of capacities to face challenges.

·        Development of self knowledge

·        Integrated experience

·        Freedom from readymade ideas.

·        Development of free and mature human beings

·         Development of Right Understanding of Environment

·         Development of Wisdom and not Acquiring Knowledge

·         Development of Love towards others

·         Development of Right Relationship

·         Development of freedom and integration

·          Development of creative intelligence

·         Development of International understanding

·         Freedom from ideology

·        Education for Freedom and discipline

·         Spiritual Training and not Religious Education

Methods   of   Teaching and Role of Teachers   according   to Krishnamurti

Jiddu Krishnamoorti believed that a teacher should not teach the student ‘what to think’ and ‘how to think’. Instead, the teacher should give enormous freedom to think for her/himself.

Before making use a method of teaching, teacher should study the child thoroughly and must employ such methods that suit each learner best.

In employing any method, a teacher should treat the student as an equal partner.

Problem solving and explorative methods should be encouraged. Repetition encourages the mind of the child to be slow-moving.

The right kind of teacher understands the child and never imposes up on the learner an ideal of what teacher thinks the learner should be followed.

The right kind of a teacher doesn‘t depend on a particular method. S/he will study each pupil closely. S/he is fully aware of the fact that the pupils are living beings who are impressionable, volatile, sensitive, affectionate and often nervous. He knows that he should have a lot of patience and love to deal with them. The absence of these qualities makes a teacher mechanical in his attitude and shirks away the demands of the profession.

A good teacher should be a keen observer:

The best way for a teacher to understand a child is to observe him at play, work, and at different moods.

A good teacher is an Integrated Educator

“According to Krishnamurti, a true teacher not simply a giver of information, but is the one who shows the way to wisdom and truth”.

“A true teacher is not a subservient to politicians, not bound by the ideals and beliefs of a country, and not a power monger or after positions. He is inwardly rich and above the compulsions of politicians and their powers”

Teacher should not be authoritarian in approach. Authoritarian approach destroys freedom (Krishnamurti 1975)

A good teacher must possess a good conduct. Six points of good Conduct which are specially required by a teacher are given by Krishnamoorti. They are: 1. self – control as to the mind. 2. Self – control in action 3. Tolerance 4. Cheerfulness    5. One – pointedness (sharpness and power of dicision making) 6.Confidence.

Jiddu  Krishnamurti‘s  Concept  of an Ideal School

According to Krishnamurti an ideal school should have limited number of students because mass instruction cannot help develop integrated personality.

The school will have teachers who are dedicated, thoughtful and alert. The school takes interest in a careful study to understand the child of his potentials and limitations.

The schools according to his philosophy have an atmosphere of collective responsibilities. There is sincere co-operation among all the teachers. A student council is formed to discuss all matters relating to the wellbeing of the whole group. The school has an atmosphere where the students can discover what his ability is and what he is interested in. An atmosphere of confidence and co-operation prevails in the school.

*This note is framed based up on some websites, Wikipedia and some essays on K Moorti 

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