GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASTHA UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

BY:SHEETAL CHAWRIA M.Ed 1st SemesterEn no: 0026990015

MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD•BORN ON 11 NOVEMBER 1888•In Mecca, Hejaz Vilayet, Ottoman Empire (now Saudi Arabia)•Died on 22 February 1958 (aged 69)•Nationality : Indian•Political Party : Indian National Congress •Spouse : Zulaikha Begum•Awards : Bharat Ratna•In office15 August 1947 – 2 February 1958 MINISTER OF EDUCATION

Born in an orthodox family ,of Maulana Khairuddin and his Arab wife Aliyah, as one of their five children, Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmad who came to known as Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

Azad’s parents exercised considerable influence in the formation of his character and personality. His father was a learned scholar and a master of theology.

He completed his study of Quran and learnt fundamentals of Arabic, Urdu , Persian. He was provided classical education in theology, jurisprudence and philosophy within confines of the orthodox muslim faith.

Maulana charter out his own course in learning. He realised that his traditional education needed to bebacked up by modern learning which in turnnecessitated the knowledge of English. He acquired it by way of extensive reading.

Azad was only thirteen when his father got him married to Zulaikha Begum. She was an accomplished lady, well versed in household affairs and was of a very hospitable nature. She took good care of Maulana Azad and evinced keen interest in his books and writings.

Maulana Azad acquired fame through his journalistic writings and inspiring message as by his interpretation of Islam.

He became the first Minister of Education of free India and guided the destinies of the nation for eleven years.

During the most fateful days of the national struggle, he was the President of the Indian National Congress in 1923 and again in 1940-1946.

Personally he was unwilling to accept the principle of the two-nation theory.

Literary work of Maulana AzadYear Book / Journal Detail1900 Nairange-Alam Poetic journal continued for eight

months.

1904 Lisan-Us-Sidq Aimed at promoting social reform, development of Urdu.

1912 Al-Hilal Message of nationalism for educated Muslim to a new political sense.

1917 Tazkirah First book of Azad to be published

1931 Tarjuman-Ul-Quran Focused on fundamental unity of all religion.

1946 Ghubar-E-Khatir Last book by Azad, a collection of letters which were never published.

1988 India Wins Freedom An exhaustive account of India's freedom struggle and its leaders.

Covers of Maulana Azad’s book

Removal of illiteracy through Universalization of Elementary Education and a drive for adult education including education for women.

Equal opportunity of education irrespective of caste, colour, creed, gender.

Supported three language formula i.e. Hindi and mother tongue as medium and instruction and English as third language.

Worked for sound primary education through out the country.

VISION OF EDUCATION

1) Making of man - character building education should help the individual in realising his potential.

He stressed on seven values i.e.-

a) The quest of truth should be principle aim of education.

Aim of Education

b) The concept of justice is another aim of education which is related to appreciation of rights and performance of duties.

c) Cooperation and unity must be learnt through foundation of peace and harmony.

d) The practice of courtesy and chivalry is a grace of life and enriches its quality.

e) Spread of enlightenment through right type of education for true civilization and equality of life.

f) Quality of humility which is chasten and sustains the spirit of man and strivings of his mind.

g) The spirit of daring is the most valued asset of youth.

2) Education and DevelopmentAzad enhanced the role of education in national development and encouraged the growth of science and technology at all levels of education.

3)Education for National Integration and SecularismEducation should promote national unity on the basis of a rich diversity of cultures and beliefs.

4) Education for democracyThis was to be done through Social Education which was accorded highest priority in his scheme of educational reconstruction. He emphasized on three aspect: Creating an educated mind in the

masses.Inculcating a lively sense of rights and duties of citizenship.

Imparting literacy

5) Internationalism and global citizenship

Education has a definite role to play in promoting world unity and global citizenship. He felt the demand in changing the entire method of teacching of history and geography in schools.

1) At primary level education, emphasis should be giving on learning by doing.

2) At secondary stage, curriculum should aim at training in diverse skills and aptitudes and preparation for higher educational pursuits.

3) Education standards needed to be raised and curricula broadened and enriched.

CURRICULUM

4) Advocated 3 language formula i.e. Hindi, mother tongue and English language.

5) Stress should laid on Adult education and Women education.

6)Physical education, recreation and opportunities for games and sports should form part of educational programmes at all levels.

7) Emphasized on vocational training, agricultural and technical education.

8) Extensive reform in evaluation system.

Educational Leadership of Maulana Azad1) Following institutions/commissions/councils/boards were established during his ministership:

University Grant Commission (UGC) in1948.

Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)

All Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in 1951.

Central Institute of Education, Delhi in 1947.

School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi in 1955

Appointed commission:

University Education Commission • In 1948 under chairmanship of Dr S. Radhakrishnan

Secondary Education Commission• In 1952 under chairmanship of Dr A.L. Mudaliar 

Emphasized on:

Common educational structure of 10+2+3 through out India.

Neighborhood schools and Common School System.

Retention of English.

Raised issue of the National System of Education which is today the bed rock of National Policy of Education (1986).

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a patriot, a philosopher statesman and a great scholar.

He was a strange mixture of medieval scholasticism, eighteenth century rationalism and modern outlook.

He contributed to India’s modernity:

One was through religion. Adopting sophisticated rational interpretive approach. He believe in unity of religion and oneness of god.

ANALYSIS

Second area of his contribution to modernity was education. He was entrusted with the Education Ministry because of his passion, commitment to education, culture and scientific and technical progress.

In order to reorient and reconstruct the education system in the context of a changed perspective, he appointed commissions, made various fundamental policy decision and establishment of educational institutions which provided firm ground for development of education system.

He wished all Indians to imbibe value of truth and virtue which according to him should be inculcated through social and general education and for this he underlined the critical role of teachers.

Though he never attended formal school. Yet he understood vital place of teachers. He believed no reforms in education can be effective without taking teachers fully ob board.

He significantly contributed to establishment of CIE and stressed on need of training of teachers for improving the quality of educcation.

References

1) Vallikkat S.(2012 World’s greatest educational thinkers, philosopher and educationist, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, p272-279.

2) Habib Irfan S.(2010) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and the national education system.

3) Kashyap S.(2009) Azad’s efforts in shaping the indian Education policy.

4) Siddiqui Aktar M. (2011) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad – Educational vision and contribution.Mohdakhtarsiddiqui.blogspot.in/2011/08/maulana-abul-kalam-azad-educational.html

5) Alam Anzar M. (2015) Educatilonal leadership of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

6) www.britannica.com/biography/Abul-Kalam-Azad

“Education imparted by heart can bring revolution in the society.”

“The light of knowledge is strong enough to brighten the darkest recesses of humanity.”