GOVERNMENT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, PANVEL

M.ED 2021-22 (Sem-1)

Subject: Philosophy of Education
Topic: Secular Education
Name: Abhilasha Raghav
Roll No.: 20
Guide: Prof. Dr. Harshani Patre Ma'am
 Topics to be Covered....
§ Introduction
§ Indian Concept Of Secularism
§ Meaning & Nature Of Secularism §
India as a Secular State
§ Characteristics Of Secular States §
Secularism & Education
§ Characteristics of Secular Education
§ How to Promote Secularism through School Programs? §
Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION
§ The word secularism was first used in the 19th century by George Jacob
Holyoake. He derived it from the latin word “saeculum” meaning “this
present age” .
§ He used it in the context of social and ethical value or system. Thus
secularism came to be known as a social and ethical system.
§ It primarily emphasize on natural and cultural improvements of human
beings.
§ Secularism can be defined as, “a system of doctrines and practices that
rejects any form of religious faith and worship”.
 INDIAN CONCEPT OF SECULARISM
§ Indian concept of secularism requires that there shall be no state
religion and the state shall treat all religion equally. In the word of
great Mahatma Gandhi, “My veneration for other faiths is the same as
for any one faith”.
§ Sarva-dharma-samantva or sarva-dharma-samabhavana-equal
regard for all faiths and creeds.
§ Ekam Brahma Vipra Bahuda vadanti- god is one, wise man call him
by different names.
 CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS REGARDING IMPARTING
OF RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR EDUCATION

§ Article 28(1) states that no religious instructions shall be provided

in any educational institutions wholly maintained out of state funds.

§ No persons attending any educational institutions recognized by the

state or receiving aid out of state fund shall be required to take part
in any religious instructions without his consent in the case of a
minor, consent of his guardian is needed.
 MEANING AND NATURE OF SECULARISM
§ Religion constitutes an important element in Indian culture & has influenced Indian
civilization. India has same attitude towards all religions, age-old tradition of tolerance,
magnanimity, free thinking and universal brotherhood has been amply reinforced by
constitutional provisions.
§ Concept of Secularism the word '"secularism" was incorporated in the preamble with the
42nd constitutional amendment in 1976.
§ Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, has said “There are some who think that
because we are a secular state, we do not believe in religion or spiritual values. Far from
being so, it really means that in this country all are free to profess or preach the faith of
their liking and that we wish well of all religions and want them to develop in their own
way without let or hindrance.”
§ B. R. Ambedkar has remarked, “All that a secular state means is that this parliament
shall not be competent to impose any particular religion upon the rest of the people.”
Freedom of religion is fundamental to a secular state. That is,everybody can profess any
religion or no religion. No religions community will be favoured or discriminated against
and no instruction in religious dogma will be given in any public school. This is to
promote religious tolerance and active reverence for all religions.
§ The Kothari Commission have suggested a syllabus giving well chosen information
about each of the major religion should be included as a part of general education to be
introduced in schools & colleges upto the first degree.
§ All religions may be highlighted & their inherent spiritual & moral values will be made
clear.
§ It would be possible by an adequate study of science with its stress on open
mindedness, tolerance & objectivity.
 INDIA AS A SECULAR STATE
§ Ours is a secular state. It means that state shall not discriminate
against the followers of a particular religion.
§ All Indian-Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and others have the
freedom to preach their religions. Secularism has been made one of
the basic elements of the structure of the constitution of India.
§ According to the fundamental right to practice religion was
conferred on all persons by article 25 and 26.
 THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SECULAR STATES

§ The state as such as no religion of its own.

§ It does not award preferential treatment to the followers of any
faith.
§ It does not discriminate against any person on account of his
faith.
§ All citizens are eligible to enter government service
irrespective of the faith
 SECULARISM & EDUCATION
§ Children as future citizens must get that education, which should aim at
their development irrespective of religious affliation or social status.
§ They are to be taken as citizens not as members of one particular religious
group.
§ Secularism does not mean that religions should be banished from the
educational seen & rather both should be well-integrated in a process which
is dynamic & conducive to change & progress.
§ True Secular education must be based on morality, justice, free thinking &
service.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SECULAR EDUCATION
§ Moral Outlook : developing of moral outlook. It is the foundation
for the development of character & moral development.
§ Development of wider vision : It develops in him a wider vision
towards life and he takes interest in social service by sacrificing his
selfish motives.
§ Democratic values : It helps man in developing democratic values
like liberty, equality, fraternity & co-operative living.
§ Cultural development : It releases the individual from the bonds of
blind faith. & promotes scientific values of rationality ,objectivity &
open-mindedness.
§ Synthesis of spiritual & material : Secular education glorifies
material needs & promotes reverence for earthy life, without
rejecting spiritual values & make a healthy balance between the
spiritual & the material.
§ Humanitarianism : It stands for peace, good will & understanding.
Also helps in fostering the brotherhood of man & the unity of the
world.
 HOW TO PROMOTE SECULARISM THROUGH
SCHOOL PROGRAMMES ?
§ Celebrate festivals like onam ,christmas, holi, eid etc.
§ Conduct integration camps
§ Arrange seminars,talks about world peace,communal harmony
§ Discourses on religious values by religious leaders
§ Include informations related to secularism
§ Teach lessons about great saints who sacrificed their lives for the
cause of national or social well being
 CONCLUSION
§ In multi religious country like India, the spirit of secularism is to be developed in
order to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation.
§ Religious neutrality or Secularism is a matter of attitude which can be developed in
students by living & learning, by experiencing & realizing the truths of the religions.
§ Many positive steps have been taken to promote secularism in the country. It is laid
down in the constitution that religious minorities are free to establish their
educational institutions from grant. Secular behavior springs in the school from the
influence of school through the conduct and behavior of teachers themselves and life
in the school community as a whole. All the activities and programs of school must
strive for the inculcation of values of love, truth and tolerance.
☺Thank You
☺