Values in a kit

This is not to dismiss the project altogether. For instance,if this value education component was designed like a philosophy class,where students bumped up against the vexing ethical questions of their lives,it would definitely be worthwhile. Many countries where public schooling is strictly leached of religious teaching have a place for philosophy learning. However,the danger lies in the very frame of value education one that assumes that teachers fill passive students with uplifting ideas. Education should be freeing,not rest on old didactic models. A more evolved pedagogy must start with a problem-posing approach,letting students unlock their own experience.

The success of this movie experiment depends entirely on how they are incorporated into the classroom. These largely preachy films shouldnt become an occasion for more preaching. For instance,a movie like Purab Aur Pashchim,which assumes a moralising tone against Western values,needs to be placed in context. Many others must be read against the grain,rather than being placards for the spirit of survival or the fight for justice. Surely,if the unabashedly mawkish Baghban was viewed as a straight lesson in family values or if the chest-thumping version of patriotism espoused by LOC Kargil was not critically assessed,then the point would be lost,even damaged.

Curated For You

Stranger Things Season 5 Vol 2 Review and Release Live Updates: Latest installment of Netflix series garners mixed response

What have you done since Hotmail: Sabeer Bhatia says stigma around failure is so strong in India, people dont experiment

You have not even scratched the surface: Mahesh Bhatt recalls advising Alia to learn from Meryl Streep, shares thoughts on her career and parenting