Question- What is the need to adopt ‘Continuous Development of Values Process’?

Answer -

The role and importance of Lifelong Learning in India have increased in recent times due to several socio-economic factors. In a technology-driven knowledge-based competitive economy, the landscape of learning is fast changing in India. Since most of India’s workforce is in the unorganized sectors, they need regular upgrading of skills to compete in the globalized economy. Thus, Lifelong Learning has become a fundamental goal of recent educational policies often advocated as a way to achieve socio-economic development and a tool for promoting knowledge-based society. The most accepted approach in conceptualizing Lifelong Learning is concerned with promoting skills and competencies necessary for developing general capabilities and specific performance in work situations. Skills and competencies developed through programs of Lifelong Learning are vital for workers’ performance in their tackling of precise job responsibilities.

On this analysis, a more highly educated and skilled workforce will contribute to a more advanced and competitive economy. However, there is much more to be understood from the concept of Lifelong Learning than merely its economic imperatives. As Smethurst remarks:

What does not come out of the statistics is that, in order to succeed in life, in the world, in history; you need not just academic skill but personality, independence of mind, and autonomy of spirit.

An important aspect of Lifelong Learning often overlooked, is life-deep learning. It is another word for value education. It refers to delving into insights of life and dealing with emotional, spiritual and social quotients, in addition to intelligence quotient. Today’s society needs to focus on this aspect for initiating true growth and prosperity. Jacques Delors, in his 1996 report, Learning: the treasure within, provides an advanced conception of Lifelong Learning that has it resting on four pillars of education.

“Learning to know” and “learning to do” are the ostensible concerns of the human-development. But there are also the pillars of “learning to live together” and “learning to be” which together provide ample room for values education on the Lifelong Learning agenda. Values are not cosmetic requirements of present human race. These are essential for peaceful living and sustainable growth in the world. Therefore is the need of value based Lifelong Learning. Moreover, Self-motivated pursuit of knowledge helps in realization of values more effectively. In this case Lifelong Learning can prove effective. Also, personal enrichment benefits the family as well as the society. Thus, Lifelong Learning has little meaning without development, nurture and internalization of values and it can be aptly said that values can form the basis of Lifelong Learning.

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