ROLE OF ETHICS AND VALUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

According to Socrates –“Education is bringing out of the ideas of universal validity which are latent in the mind of every man.” Education does not end only with mastery over few languages or subjects. It also defines opening the doors of the mind, cleansing the soul and realization of the self. We, as Indians do have a rich and huge volumes of spiritual heritage but it is a matter of regret that we are the inheritors of the privileged and enriched heritage. It is really pathetic to see that the concern over the ethical values has lost their values and place at various levels of our education system in general and the higher Technical Education in particular. It is therefore, required to scrutinize the major causes of this deterioration in ethical values due to the prevalence of corruption, bribery, murder, rape, scams etc. The best way to address this issue is to impart value based ethical education that is incorporated in the academic curriculum, just the way it was being practiced in the ancient times where the education system was value-based and education would help in the improvement of human character and recognition of their inner purity.