A New Approach to Education

Indeed if the education is to have its maximum result, it must begin even before birth: it is the mother herself who proceeds with this education by means of a two-fold action, first upon herself for her own improvement, and secondly, upon the child which she is forming within her physically. Like fire in a piece of flint, knowledge exists in the mind: suggestion is the friction that brings it out. All knowledge and all power are within.
That system which aims at educating our boys in the same manner as that of the man who battered his ass, being advised that it could thereby be turned into a horse, should be abolished.
Education that does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy and the courage of a lion – is it worth the name?
We have, of course, forgotten to ask how we are to test the growth of sincerity, truthfulness, cheerfulness, prudence, perseverance, benevolence, simplicity, courage, straightforwardness, honesty, justice, love, and hundreds of such qualities which we as parents and educationists desire most heartily should blossom in our children’s tender hearts.
If it be our intention to become a second-hand edition of England or Japan or America, nothing could be easier than to take over their system with whatever slight changes that might fit them to Indian conditions.