Ministry asks NCERT to look into the possibility of resuming moral and value-based education at elementary level

Updated on: Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Recognising the positive role of moral education in sensitising children towards the elderly, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry has asked NCERT to look into the possibility of resuming moral and value-based education at elementary level.

The Ministry has invited a delegation from the National Council of Educational Research and Training to discuss this issue during the upcoming 'National Conference on Ageing' next month, a senior Ministry official told.
 
"The subject of moral education used to be a part of elementary schooling. Besides, other value-based topics like respect and sensitivity towards elderly used to be an important part of this subject. We have requested NCERT to look into the possibility of resuming this subject," he said.
 
The Social Justice Ministry is the nodal authority responsible for framing policies and rules for empowering senior citizens and elderly people. Laws have been enacted by government to enforce care for the elderly, but problems are being faced in their thorough implementation.
 
"The biggest problem in ensuring care for senior citizens and old parents comes from lack of sensitivity towards them from children and youngsters. Some value-based education is necessary to ensure that these moral issues are taught to children from an early age," the official said.
 
During the conference, the NCERT teams will also participate in a series of panel discussions with other representatives of government departments, NGOs and senior citizen groups.
 
"The idea is to ensure proper assimilation of thoughts so that things can move forward and our society can be more sensitive towards its older population," the official said.
 
The conference will also take stock of social, financial and health issues faced by senior citizens and the status of implementation of various laws in this regard.

The Ministry has planned to hold the conference under four themes Social and Economic Security of Older Persons, Health care, Family and Community Care, and focus on Special Elderly Groups consisting of senior citizens above 80 years.
 
Senior officials from Central ministries such as Home Affairs, Labour and Employment, Finance, Health and Rural Development and Planning Commission have also been invited to conduct discussions over policies concerning older persons, the official said.
 
For holding discussions on pension and insurance schemes for senior citizens, the Ministry has invited representatives from pension and insurance regulatory authorities.
 
During the course of discussion, the conference will also review various aspects related to Senior Citizens (Maintenance, Protection and Welfare) Act in various states and ways to ensure that it is implemented effectively.

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