EDUCATING THE MASSES

1 he Topic "educating the masses" does not mean that the public should be educated in a
school or college. It aims at finding out some important spheres in which the public
should be able to work in a suitable manner.

In Western countries, the Government and the social organizations arrange short courses
for the people so that they may be able to conduct the affairs in their civil life in a proper
manner. For instance, a short course in Traffic rules trains them in road sense. Again a
fire-fighting course trains them how to extinguish fire if it breaks out in their home or in
the neighbourhood. A course in first aid is equally useful for the public. It teaches a
person how to apply first aid when some accident takes place.

We should follow the examples of the West. It is high time that out social organizations
may come forward to advise the people from time to time. We may refer to the need of
preserving the public properties. Generally, the government properties are handled in a
careless manner with the idea that they belong to the government. This false idea must be
removed from the mind of the people. It may be brought home to them that they are
national properties.

We may refer to the books in a public library, the furniture in a public hall, the public
gardens and the public institutions. We may also refer to the need of observing of Traffic
rules etc. So that there may be common good for all.

It is a common sight that while buying tickets at the cinema hall or a Railway Station, the
people don't stand in queue. This is a bad habit and must be curbed. Proper training to the
people is desirable to avoid confusion.

General^, the people do not act with a team spirit. It there is a sigh board with the request
to move to the left on the road, the people neglect it. The result is confusion, accident and
delay to obstacles. •'

Supposing a request is made not to walk over a green lawn. But few of us take the trouble
to go round the corner. The green lawn is spoiled. It is often seen that flowers from the
public gardens are plucked for personal satisfaction. Books borrowed from a public
library are handled most carelessly. This is equally bad. We should try to learn that books
are a great treasure, which will go down to the coming generations.

The propaganda machinery should be such that it is able to educate the people in an
effective manner. In the present world life, whether individual or national struggle is
needed, only educated one can succeed in struggle for existence.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF

ADULT EDUCATION

The problem of Adult Education has become very significant and the educationists of
different countries of the world recognize its importance. However, it aims is not the
encroachment upon the leisure of the adults as was done in the Fascist regime of
Germany and Italy. There, adult

k408 • for Prospective Headmasters

education was popularised for political reasons and through it the people were made
warlike. UNESCO, through adult education aims to create sense of responsibility and live
for mankind in the adult.

The possibilities of war create hatred. The need for peace has been generally recognized
both issues are simultaneously present in our minds, hence the anxiety. In the age of
material progress, if moral obligations disappear, man is liable to believe that the
outbreak of war is easier than the maintenance of peace. However, this day wartime co-
operation has reappeared for nobler reasons. The nations are wondering how they can live
together. But peace requires more skill, imagination and also more heroism than battles
do. Moreover, everybody in peacetime must realize his responsibilities and duties, as
peace requires unity of mankind.

Adult Education should be based upon the international brotherhood. It must enable the
adults to understand other people and appreciate culture. It must create in them the
civilization can only be ensured if adult education is directed towards creating a sense of
responsibility in all aspects of human life and to bringing about reconciliation of man and
humanity.

Man is a social being, his community is worldwide and his duties are on the increase.
Under these circumstances, adult education should-lead individual to a living culture
where the rights of individuals are regarded, selfishness is discarded and the moral
solidarity of mankind is maintained. Adult education is yet in the beginning and no
decisive programme has been chalked out for it. However, it must be stressed that adults
should not be denied training in the art of reading and writing, though the ultimate aim of
education consists in training individuals for the progress of civilization can definitely
sing or enjoy

409

The Study of Education

music all alone but you have no right to play a musical instrument when other enjoy sleep
at night.

Gardiner has quoted another instance of a person who behaved like the Russian lady who
travelled with him in a railway train and dwelt upon miscellaneous topics, his son's
achievements mistakes of political leaders and cause of disturbances in his study of a blue
book. She did not possess the social sense.

THE ADVANTAGES OF

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

1 he word Education' has been derived from a Latin source. It means to draw out True
education indeed is the drawing out of the mental faculties, not a mere putting in of so
much knowledge.

In the true, University education means education received in a regular and recognized
institution in the regular and recognized course of studies. In other words, it mean formal
learning. Taken in the strict sense, it means completing the graduation course of studies.

Cardinal Newman in his article, "The ideal of a university agrees with the popular
conception of University that -it is a place where students acquire much knowledge on
many subjects. But he disagrees with the idea of amassing of knowledge alone. He admits
that knowledge is the indispensable condition of the expansion of mind and the
instrument of attaining it, but it is not everything.

The end of liberal education, in Newman's view, is not mere knowledge considered in its
matter, in his opinion the business of a college or University is to train the- minds and
intellects of its students in such a way as to make them perfectly healthy. He insists upon
this cultivation of the