VIEWPOINT OF NEP 2020 & EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF RABINDRANATH TAGORE ON THE TEACHING - LEARNING SYSTEM OF SOCIETY

Abstract

Education, in its most profound sense, is not the passive absorption of information but

the unfolding of human potential. Rabindranath Tagore redefined learning as a

liberating and organic experience, challenging the rigid structures of conventional

schooling. He envisioned an education that transcended textbooks and classrooms, one

that flourished in the embrace of nature, creativity, and self-expression. At Santiniketan,

his experimental institution, students learned not through rote memorization but through

exploration, dialogue, and artistic engagement, fostering a harmonious blend of intellect

and intuition.

Tagore’s philosophy championed holistic development, where the mind, heart, and

soul grew in unison. He rejected the mechanization of education, advocating instead for

an environment that nurtured curiosity and emotional intelligence. Unlike modern

systems that emphasize standardized testing and academic competition, his approach

valued imagination, cultural awareness, and experiential wisdom. He believed that

education should not be confined within rigid syllabi but should evolve like life itself—

dynamic, interconnected, and deeply personal.