✍Md Farid
Research Assistant, Markazi Taleemi Board – New Delhi
Education paves a way for a powerful medium for change and lays the foundation for the development in the society. Indians became free from the colonial era on 15th August, 1947. This was a big challenge for the country, how to determine the future of the country. The country has diversity on the basis of caste, religion, culture, language and also has the regional diversity also.
Education is a space where we can address all these issues. After Independence we need a person, who can fill these gaps, take India on the path of development and make India as the progressing modern country. The person who was having this calibre and capability, was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. This essay will delineate his vision and his contribution in the Modern Indian Education System.
Early life and background of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Maulana Abul Kalam was among the most eminent leaders in pre and post-Independence India. He was a renowned scholar and a brilliant orator. He was fluent in several languages, including Persian, Arabic, Hindi, English, and Urdu. His name was Abul kalam Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahmed. He was appointed the first education minister of India. From childhood Maulana Abul Azad did not receive any formal education in any school/madaras. His education was home schooled and self-taught. From a young age he showed inclination towards the literary field and started the weekly called Al Misbah and also associated with the weekly journal called Lisan-un-Sidiq. (Moosavi, Volume 03, No.03, July-September, 2021). By doing self-study he also had a command over western philosophy, history and over contemporary politics.
Maulana was acquiring education in his childhood from Ulama/scholars of that time and they were the geniuses in their subjects. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s father Khairuddin was an influential Islamic scholar and was implacably opposed to modernity. But Maulana’s mind was always having questions, he refused to follow any knowledge blindly. He later chose the path which he understood by his level of intellectuality and knowledge.
Work and vision of Maulana Abul Azad on education
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was initially influenced by the 14th/15th century Moroccan Philosopher, Historian and traveller Ibn Khaldun. From Ibn Khaldun, Azad was inspired to question the traditional ways of teaching and curriculum. Azad was also inspired by the social reformer Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, who always advocated modern education and modern science for Muslims. Maulana was also critical against the Ulama of that time, who instructed the community to keep from anything which was associated with the Britishers. He was also influenced by the model that they were following in their elementary education system and was also interested in the scientific development of the west in that era. (Moosavi, Volume 03, No.03, July-September, 2021)
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad believed that education should help to build character in humans. He emphasised that the role of education should be part of national development and encouragement should be given to growth of science and technology. Maulana Azad took necessary steps in providing the facilities for education in science and technology at all levels. While addressing the Central Advisory Board meeting on 9 November 1953, he emphasised the need to create greater opportunities in higher education, particularly in agriculture, medicine, science, and technology.
Madrasa Education: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad wanted the curriculum introduced in the Madrasa to be aligned with the existing system of education. He suggested that in real circumstances a student would be able to complete his studies in 13 years. If a student fails at any stage, a grace period of up to two years should be provided to help them complete the required 16 years of education. As suggested by Azad, in the fifth year of the junior classes, subjects such as English, Mathematics, Indian Geography, Indian History, the History of Islam, and Science should be introduced. (Chakraborty)
Role of Teacher: Education is the dialogue between the past, present and the future, so that the coming generations receive the accumulated lessons of the heritage and carry it forward (UNESCO, 1998). Kothari Commission (1964-1966) has suggested all the factors which influence the quality, competence, and character of teachers. It is necessary that teachers should be given full support to develop their potential and creative skills so that their teachings are more effective. Teachers act as a focal point for the transmission of intellectual and technical skills and the cultural traditions from one generation to another generation. (Peerzada, Vol 5, Issue 3, 2022)
The responsibility of the teacher is very huge. The nation’s development solely depends on the teachers’ hard work and skills. A teacher needs much more than he needs, to have the vision of the kind of society for which he is preparing for future students. We cannot deny the fact that effective and fruitful teaching depends on the personality of the teacher, which influences the development process in teaching.
The job of a teacher is beyond teaching. It also involves the job of improving the profession in teaching and apart from this he has also to play the role of dynamic education leader. Since this profession is closely connected with the community and linked to economic, political, social, and cultural areas, it plays an important role in shaping a teacher’s identity. Every year in India, 11th November is celebrated as the “National Education Day”, in order to remember the legacy of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. (Peerzada, Vol 5, Issue 3, 2022)
Maulana Azad’s Vision for Technical, Higher, and Women’s Education
While speaking about education, Maulana Azad highlighted that education, science, and culture play a unique role in shaping a new India that can inspire the world. He strongly emphasised the role of education in national development and encouraged the growth of science and technology. After becoming the first Education Minister of Independent India, Azad’s primary concern was to strengthen facilities for higher and technical education to meet the needs of the nation. He was optimistic that one day India’s institutions of technical education would be of such high standards that students from abroad would come here for advanced scientific and technical training.
Azad also gave special importance to women’s education. In 1949, while addressing the Central Assembly, he remarked: “No program of national education can be appropriate if it does not give full consideration to the education and advancement of one-half of society that is, women.” (Peerzada, Vol 5, Issue 3, 2022)
He further argued that women’s education was crucial for two main reasons:
- Women, as citizens of free India, have an equal right to education.
- Educated women play a vital role in nurturing and educating the younger generation.
As Education Minister, Maulana Azad played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian education system by establishing several key institutions and organisations. He was appointed to the University Grants Commission in 1948 and to the Secondary Education Commission in 1952. He recognised the All-India Council for Technical Education, established the University Grants Commission in 1953, and set up the Indian Council of Science. To provide advanced training and facilitate research, the National Institute of Basic Education was founded. Similarly, to review the progress of secondary education, the All-India Council for Secondary Education was constituted.
Azad often drew inspiration from leading global institutions. While inaugurating the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, he remarked that the Government of India had already initiated plans to establish four institutions on par with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), adding that he could clearly envision the day when the true potential of these institutes would be realised.
Beyond institutional reforms, Azad also contributed to social and cultural discourse. He translated the Arabic book Al-Miat Muslimah (The Muslim Woman), originally published in Egypt, which discussed women’s rights. By doing so, he expressed his support for gender equality and engaged with ongoing debates on the subject.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s contributions to education can be distinctly categorised into two areas:
- His philosophical vision of education derived from his basic beliefs.
- The practical policies implemented during his tenure as Minister of Education aimed at aligning education with the evolving needs of the nation.
Philosophical Vision: Maulana Azad’s educational philosophy was deeply rooted in ideas of inclusivity, secularism, and national unity. He envisioned education as a transformative force that would foster not only intellectual development but also moral character. His vision encompassed bridging social divides, promoting harmonious coexistence, and fostering a global understanding.
Policy Actions: During his time as Minister of Education, Maulana Azad actively worked to translate his vision into reality. He championed policies like free and compulsory basic education for all, emphasising the importance of national planning for education. He also advocated for neighbourhood schools and a common school system to promote social integration.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a visionary whose contributions to education, will be remembered by future generations. His contribution was landmark in several areas of education, including technical and scientific education, higher education, school education, agriculture, and health.
Maulana Azad strongly advocated for teacher training programmes. He believes that the development of the nation depends on well-trained and skilled teachers. He emphasised that this could only be achieved through quality teacher education. He also opined in favour of free education for every citizen of India and also believed that, educating girls could bring drastic change in society.
Today, in contemporary India’s talent is recognised globally, in fields such as engineering, science, medicine, research, and innovation. Much of this progress can be traced back to the foundations laid by Maulana Azad. As the proverb, “Rome was not built in a day.” Similarly, the seeds of India’s educational and scientific progress were sown by Maulana Azad, through the establishment of institutions such as IITs, ISRO, AIIMS, and the UGC.
References:
(n.d.).
Chakraborty, T. B. (n.d.). The Role of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in Reconstruction and Inclusion of National Education In India.
Meraj, D. M. (Volume 4; Issue 2; March 2018). Maulana Azad’s Vision of Modern India. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, 107 – 113.
Moosavi, M. (Volume 03, No.03, July – September, 2021). Role of Maulana Azad in Modernising Education. International Journal of Education, Modern Management, Applied Science & Social Science (IJEMMASSS), 74 – 77.
Peerzada, D. (Vol 5, Issue 3, 2022). Educational Though of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and His Contribution to The Modern Education System of India. International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Scientific Research (IJAMSR) ISSN: 2581-4281.
