Education for a Fulfilling Life

• To understand what a fulfilling life means and to understand the programme to ensure
it, there is need for appropriate education.
• Education is expected to be a process which prepares us to lead such a life.
• And only with such an expectation, a human being invests nearly one-fourth to one-
third of one’s lifetime in the process of being educated.
• While going through education, if we have the opportunity to get a holistic
perspective about life and existence, the decisions taken by us will open channels
for a happy and prosperous life.
• At this stage of life, while completing one’s education, it is needful to gain clarity about
• what we really want to be,
• and to acquire competence to actualize it in life, visualizing clearly how one would like to see
oneself, say, twenty years hence and further.
Education for a Fulfilling Life
Take the case of relationship.
• Harmonious relationship is one important aspect of a happy life. Today,
with fast life and changing social structure, sustaining harmonious
relationships has become a challenge.
• Another important aspect is physical well-being and wealth.
• As you enter higher education, you may have two major milestones in
front of you:
• career and marriage.
• Can there be some programme which can help you choose your career and
spouse prudently?
• These are issues which may be of concern to each one of you.
Education for a Fulfilling Life
• Further, all of us live in a society. We are anyway related to the society. In fact,
we are related to the whole world around us. We want fulfilling relations with all.
• Even if there is a single relationship in which we find it difficult to ensure
mutual happiness or mutual fulfilment, there appear to be only two options
before us: either to ignore and forget the other or to feel stressed.
• Both of these options do not provide a mutually fulfilling solution. Can our
education address such issues?
• Most of the time, it is found that youth read various books, discuss with friends,
listen to talks and discourses to seek solutions to such issues which, at times,
start appearing unsolvable.
Education for a Fulfilling Life
• Most of the time, it is found that youth read various books, discuss
with friends, listen to talks and discourses to seek solutions to
such issues which, at times, start appearing unsolvable.
• As a result, many of us are compelled to adopt piecemeal
solutions, but that too has its own limitations.
• Our society is of prime concern to us as our job or career or family
are strongly connected to the society.
• When we get to know about negativity in day-to-day incidents
around through the newspaper, news channels or social media, we
start feeling more and more insecure and fearful. But this is not
what we desire.
Scenario: Decision-Making for a
Fulfilling Life
• Rahul, a final-year college student, often contemplates his future. He is aware that success isn't just
about having a high-paying job; it also involves maintaining harmonious relationships, ensuring physical
well-being, and contributing to society. However, he often finds himself confused about the right
approach to achieving these goals.
• One day, Rahul attends a seminar on "Education for a Fulfilling Life," where he learns that education
should help individuals make informed decisions about career, relationships, and societal
responsibilities. He realizes that instead of making impulsive choices, he should develop a clear vision for
his life, set goals, and acquire the necessary skills.
• Inspired by this perspective, Rahul starts exploring different career options aligning with his passion,
discusses life goals with his family, and participates in community service. Over time, he finds clarity in
his path, leading him toward a balanced and fulfilling life.
• Example Question:
• How does education help in achieving a fulfilling life?
• Answer: Education helps individuals develop a holistic perspective, make informed decisions about
career and relationships, and contribute positively to society, ensuring happiness and prosperity.
Scenario: Decision-Making for a
Fulfilling Life
• Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
Q.1 What is an essential aspect of a fulfilling life?
a) Earning a lot of money
b) Maintaining harmonious relationships
c) Avoiding social responsibilities
d) Living in isolation
Answer: b) Maintaining harmonious relationships
Q2. What is one of the key challenges in today’s fast-paced life?
a) Gaining academic knowledge
b) Sustaining harmonious relationships
c) Avoiding financial stability
d) Ignoring societal values
Answer: b) Sustaining harmonious relationships
Scenario: Decision-Making for a
Fulfilling Life
Q.3. According to the content, what can help individuals choose their career and spouse
wisely?
a) Advice from social media
b) A structured educational programme
c) Ignoring others' opinions
d) Random decision-making
Answer: b) A structured educational programme

Q.4. Why do many young people feel insecure about the future?
a) Due to lack of education
b) Due to exposure to negative news and social media
c) Because they don’t want to study
d) Because they are not physically fit
Answer: b) Due to exposure to negative news and social media
Understanding Value Education

• Understanding Value Education

• Education should help in achieving a happy and fulfilling life.
• Two key questions in life:
• What is my aspiration? (What to do?)
• How to fulfill my aspiration? (How to do?)
• Value Education (VE) helps in understanding aspirations and setting
meaningful goals.
• Skill Development (SD) provides the necessary tools to achieve these
goals.
• Need for Value Education
• Education should develop clarity on aspirations and competence to
actualize them.
• Helps in understanding what is truly valuable in life.
• Guides individuals in making informed life decisions.
• Addresses confusion and contradictions regarding aspirations.
• Relationship Between Values and Skills
• Values and skills go hand in hand – both are essential.
• Priority is values first, then skills:
• Understand ‘what to do’ before learning ‘how to do’.
• Present education system is skill-biased, lacking a strong value
foundation.
• Consequences of Skill-Biased Education
• Focus is only on science and technology, ignoring value-based
education.
• Crisis at individual, societal, and environmental levels.
• Lack of values leads to stress, insecurity, and unethical practices.
• Importance of Value Education
• Helps in discovering human aspirations and defining life goals.
• Balances career success with ethical and personal well-being.
• Encourages a holistic approach to education and life.
• Bridges the gap between knowledge, values, and skills.
• Example Question:
• Why is Value Education essential in today’s education system?
Answer: Value Education helps individuals understand their aspirations, differentiate between what is valuable and what is
not, and provides direction for a fulfilling life, complementing skill development.
• Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
• What does Value Education (VE) primarily focus on?
a) Enhancing technical skills
b) Understanding human aspirations and values
c) Learning advanced management techniques
d) Improving financial success
Answer: b) Understanding human aspirations and values
• Why is there a need to integrate Value Education into the present education system?
a) Because technical skills alone cannot ensure a fulfilling life
b) To increase competition in education
c) To eliminate science and technology from academics
d) To prioritize financial success over ethics
Answer: a) Because technical skills alone cannot ensure a fulfilling life
• What is the main consequence of a skill-biased education system?
a) Rapid industrial growth
b) Crisis at individual, societal, and environmental levels
c) Increased job opportunities
d) Higher academic rankings
Answer: b) Crisis at individual, societal, and environmental levels
• What is the complementarity between values and skills?
a) Values help decide ‘what to do,’ and skills help in ‘how to do’ it
b) Skills are more important than values
c) Values only help in personal life, while skills help in professional life
d) Both values and skills are independent of each other
Answer: a) Values help decide ‘what to do,’ and skills help in ‘how to do’ it
• Guidelines for Value Education
• To qualify as Value Education, the content must adhere to the following principles:
1. Universal
5. Leading to Harmony
• Applicable to all human beings across time and place. Should promote harmony at all levels:
• Should not be influenced by sect, creed, nationality, or gender. • Within the individual (self-awareness, inner
peace).
• Values should be constant and inclusive. • Among human beings (relationships, societal
well-being).
2. Rational • With nature (environmental balance,
• Must appeal to reasoning, not be based on dogmas or blind beliefs. sustainability).

• Should be open for discussion and address related questions.

• Should not be a set of sermons or rigid do’s and don’ts.
3. Natural and Verifiable
• Should be naturally acceptable to all human beings.
• Needs to be experientially verifiable rather than based on assumptions.
• Should not be just an intellectual exercise or mere information transfer.
4. All-Encompassing
• Should cover all dimensions of human life:
• Thought, behavior, work, and understanding.
• Should apply at all levels:
• Individual, family, society, and nature/existence.
 Scenario: Importance of Value
Education in Decision-Making
• Rohan, a university student, is about to graduate and is facing multiple life decisions—choosing a career,
maintaining relationships, and contributing to society. While he is technically skilled, he often struggles
with ethical dilemmas, peer pressure, and personal conflicts.
• One day, during a Value Education course, he learns that true success is not just about skills but also
about having the right values. The course introduces key principles:
• Universality – Ethics and values should be the same for all, beyond religion, nationality, or background.
• Rational Thinking – Decisions should be made based on reasoning, not blind beliefs.
• Verifiability – Values should be tested through real-life experiences, not just theoretical concepts.
• Holistic Approach – Values should cover all aspects of life—individual, family, society, and nature.
• Harmony – The ultimate goal is inner peace, healthy relationships, and a balanced connection with
nature.
• Applying these guidelines, Rohan rethinks his decisions. Instead of choosing a job based only on salary, he
prioritizes a career aligned with his passion and social contribution. He also improves relationships by
practicing empathy and open communication. As a result, he finds greater clarity, confidence, and long-
term satisfaction.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
1.Which of the following is NOT a guideline for Value Education? Example Question:
a) It should be universally applicable How does Value Education help in decision
b) It should be based on dogmas and blind beliefs making?
c) It should be experientially verifiable Answer: It provides clarity on universal values,
d) It should lead to harmony promotes rational thinking, and ensures harmony
Answer: b) It should be based on dogmas and blind beliefs in personal and societal life, leading to well-
2.Why should Value Education be rational? balanced decisions.
a) To ensure it is based on reasoning rather than blind beliefs
b) To make it more complex for students
c) To exclude certain groups from learning it
d) To focus only on professional growth
Answer: a) To ensure it is based on reasoning rather than blind beliefs
3.What is the ultimate goal of Value Education?
a) Only to develop skills for career growth
b) To promote harmony within individuals, society, and nature
c) To create financial wealth
d) To limit education to moral studies
Answer: b) To promote harmony within individuals, society, and nature
4.Which statement best explains the complementarity of values and skills?
a) Values help understand what to do, and skills help with how to do it
b) Values are independent of skills
c) Skills should be prioritized over values
d) Skills and values are not connected
Answer: a) Values help understand what to do, and skills help with how to do it
• Scenario: Importance of Value Education in Decision-Making
• Rohan, a university student, is about to graduate and is facing multiple life decisions—choosing a career,
maintaining relationships, and contributing to society. While he is technically skilled, he often struggles with
ethical dilemmas, peer pressure, and personal conflicts.
• One day, during a Value Education course, he learns that true success is not just about skills but also about
having the right values. The course introduces key principles:
• Universality – Ethics and values should be the same for all, beyond religion, nationality, or background.
• Rational Thinking – Decisions should be made based on reasoning, not blind beliefs.
• Verifiability – Values should be tested through real-life experiences, not just theoretical concepts.
• Holistic Approach – Values should cover all aspects of life—individual, family, society, and nature.
• Harmony – The ultimate goal is inner peace, healthy relationships, and a balanced connection with nature.
• Applying these guidelines, Rohan rethinks his decisions. Instead of choosing a job based only on salary, he
prioritizes a career aligned with his passion and social contribution. He also improves relationships by
practicing empathy and open communication. As a result, he finds greater clarity, confidence, and long-term
satisfaction.
 Example Question:
How does Value Education help in understanding human participation in the larger order?
Answer: It helps individuals realize their role in relationships, society, and nature, ensuring mutual fulfillment and
harmony in all aspects of life.
• Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
• What determines the value of an entity?
a) Its participation in the larger order
b) Its monetary worth
c) Its physical size
d) Its individual existence
Answer: a) Its participation in the larger order
• What is the role of a human being in relationships?
a) To ensure mutual fulfillment and respect
b) To compete with others
c) To seek only personal success
d) To ignore social responsibilities
Answer: a) To ensure mutual fulfillment and respect
• What are the dimensions of human life covered in Value Education?
a) Only thought and behavior
b) Thought, behavior, work, and realization
c) Only individual success
d) Only social contributions
Answer: b) Thought, behavior, work, and realization
• What are the levels of human living considered in Value Education?
a) Only individual and family
b) Only society and nature
c) Individual, family, society, nature, and existence
d) Only personal ambitions
Answer: c) Individual, family, society, nature, and existence
 Value:
• Something that is important, worthy or useful
for human being that gives feeling of
happiness or prosperity.

Education:
It is the process of learning, acquisition of
knowledge, skills, values, etc.
Value Education:

•It deals with the learning of : What is

universally valuable to all of us.
•We can say that, Value education impart the
knowledge and skills in human beings about
what is universally valuable and how to live in
the state of continuous happiness and
prosperity.
 Value:
 Values define what is of worth, what is beneficial, and
what is harmful
 Our values affect our decisions, goals and behavior.
 Values reflected a person’s sense of right and wrong.
 “Equal rights for all” and “The people should be treated
with respect and dignity” are the representatives of the
values.
 Where do we get the
Values?
Your age will greatly influence your values. Different people and
things influence you at different ages:
•Ages 1-7 --- parents
•Ages 8-13 --- teachers, heroes (sports, rocks, TV)
•Ages 14-20 --- peers (values because of peers or peers because of
values?)
•Ages 21+ your values are established, but you may test your values
from time to time.
The five human values which are expected in all human beings are:
 Right Conduct – Contains values like self-help skills (self-reliance,
hygiene etc.), social skills (good behavior, good manners, environment
awareness etc.), ethical skills (courage, efficiency, initiative, punctuality etc.)
and Ownership.
 Peace – Contains values like equality, focus, humility, optimism, patience,
self-confidence, self-control, self-esteem etc.
 Truth – Contains values like accuracy, fairness, honesty, justice, quest for
knowledge, determination etc.
 Peaceful co-existence – Contains values like psychological (compassion,
consideration, morality, forgiveness etc.) and social (brotherhood, equality,
perseverance, respect for others, environmental awareness etc.)
 Discipline – Contains values like regulation, direction, order etc.
Need for Value Education

All human beings aspire for a happy, fulfilling life. For a

human being, there are two important questions to this:

 What is my aspiration? (What to do?)

 How to fulfill my aspiration? (How to do?)

what is really valuable for human being; what is our purpose as
a human being?

To understand what is really valuable for human being, is the

value domain. The subject which enables us to understand this
domain is called “Value Education” (VE).
Value Education enables us to understand our
aspirations and visualize our goals for a fulfilling life
and indicates the direction for their fulfillment. In
relation to these issues, it also helps to remove our
confusions and contradictions. In that sense, VE
addresses the issues related to “what to do?”.
It is also necessary to learn the skills to actualize our aspirations. This
is the skill domain.

The subject which enables us to learn the skills is called “Skill

Development‟ (SD).

It enables us to learn the science, technology, management and other

skills for fulfilling our aspiration. In that sense, SD addresses the
issues related to “how to do?”.
Values and skills go hand in hand. Both values and skills are required.
There is an essential complementarity between
the two. The priority is values, then skills; first
understanding “what to do” and then developing
the skills for “how to do”. And of course,
checking if this results into a fulfilling life!
 Need of Value Education
The present education system has largely become skill-biased. For
developing skills, the prime emphasis is on science and technology,
without a base of values. Skills can only help to provide the means to
achieve what is considered valuable. It is not within the scope of science
and technology to provide a way to decide what really is valuable. The
consequence of skill-based education is clearly visible in the form of
serious crises at the individual, social and environmental level. Thus,
there is a strong need to rectify this situation. Value education is a crucial
missing link in the present education system.
But more importantly, the prime need of value education is to understand
human aspirations, to discover what is truly valuable in life; and work
out the program for its fulfillment.
Guidelines for Value Education

1.Universal: It has to be universally applicable to all human beings

for all time and all places. This implies that values should not
change according to sect, creed, nationality, gender, etc.

2. Rational: It has to appeal to reasoning (there should be logical

reasoning behind every aspect) ; and not be based on dogmas or
blind beliefs. It has to be open to address the related questions. It
cannot be a set of do’s and don’ts.
3. Natural and Verifiable: It has to be 'naturally acceptable' to the human being
and not forcefully. there needs to be every provision in nature for its fulfillment.
It needs to be experientially verifiable, and not based on dogmas, beliefs or
assumptions. It is not merely an intellectual exercise or information transfer.

4. All Encompassing: It needs to cover all dimensions (thought, behaviour,

work and understanding) and levels (individual, family, society and
nature/existence) of human life.

5. Leading to Harmony: The main aim of the value education is to live in

harmony. It ultimately needs to promote harmony within the individual, among
human beings and with the entire nature.
 Content of Value Education

•The value of an entity is its participation in the larger order of which

it is a part.
•The value or role of a human being is its participation in the larger order.
E.g. my role in living with the other human being is to ensure the feeling
of respect in the relationship. Interestingly, I feel happy in fulfilling my
role; and it is fulfilling for the other as well!
•This value is worth understanding, worth thinking about, worth living.
The value of human being is to ensure mutual fulfillment in the larger
order, i.e. in the entire nature/existence, but starting from within
themselves, then extending in their family and in the society.
Hence, to understand human values, we need to study the human
reality along with all that is there in the entire nature/existence
which constitutes the larger order. We need to explore and
understand things as they are:
That means the content or scope of study has to be all
encompassing, i.e.
 It has to cover all dimensions of human being – thought,
behaviour, work and realization.
 It has to cover all levels of human living – individual, family,
society, nature and existence.