Intelligence in terms of good academic performance has traditionally been coterminous with education. However, it is the character that prepares an individual to face life beyond exams. Intelligence along with character helps a man travel the distance between becoming educated and becoming learned. Gandhiji describes knowledge without character as a sin. Purely intellectual development without commensurate internal character development may sometimes lead to disastrous consequences. This seems to be true considering the fact that educated individuals are complicit in acts of violence, terrorism, corruption and social vices.

Causes of decline in character

The problem of decline in character is multi-dimensional, arising out of a combination of major social forces such as globalization, materialism, commercialization of education etc. These have led to insecurities, individualistic life styles, unnecessary growth of desires, misuse of science and technology for causing harm to humanity, sense of alienation and other such negative consequences.

Demerits of contemporary education system

Our current education system is based on learning outcomes measured through periodic exams. The focus of post-school education is to produce an employable workforce. Getting into institutions of repute either requires one to clear cut-throat competition or to shell out illegal capitation fees. The goals of the system are not defined. The natural instinct, thus, is of competition for exams that assess only subject-matter knowledge. Character building, thus takes a backseat and is treated as an automatic by-product of the social-educational life. The Indian education system is thus, grappling with multiple issues such as student suicides, skill gap, focus on marks rather than knowledge and even issues like involvement of children in criminal activities. This shows lack of development of sound character in the recipients of such an education system. Thus there is a dire need to critically analyze and reflect as to what detracts schools from nurturing the desired character.

How to build up intelligence as well as character?

The objective of development of intelligence plus character is achievable by: 

1. Developing a multi-perspective approach in the education system.
2. Clearly defining and explicitly focusing on value education with aim of holistically developing an individual to enable his contribution to the welfare of the society.
3. Taking value education as a responsibility of parents, school and other stakeholders, in the development of the child.
4. Enthusiasm to improve literacy, retention and academic achievement of the students must be matched with eagerness to promote education for values.
5. Promoting different methods of education such as role playing, telling stories and examples of lives of men of eminence by encouraging participatory modes of learning.
6. Lessons should be learnt from developed countries such as Japan where character building is given as much importance as academic performance.

Conclusion

Thus intelligence and character development needs to be woven into the totality of educational programme in schools where character development stands out as overarching concern of basic importance.

GS PAPER IV Ethics UPSC Mains Question

“Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.” Assess whether such an objective can be achieved within the existing system of education in India.

Approach:

• Explain how intelligence and character are both important for complete education.
• Analyze as to how the Indian education system in its current form has made limited progress towards this objective.
• Suggest measures to inculcate intelligence and character building in the Indian education system.

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