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6.1.4 - The demand for moral education

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Introduction to Moral Education

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Teacher
Teacher

Today we will explore the perspective of Christian missionaries on education in India during the 19th century, particularly their belief in the need for moral education. Can anyone tell me what they think moral education might entail?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it means teaching right from wrong?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The missionaries believed that education should enhance moral character. They argued that only Christian teachings could foster true morality.

Student 2
Student 2

Did the British government support this idea?

Teacher
Teacher

Initially, no. The East India Company was wary of missionary activities until 1813 due to fears of local unrest. However, this stance changed later.

Student 3
Student 3

What happened after 1813 then?

Teacher
Teacher

Missionaries began to set up schools, launching efforts to teach morality alongside other subjects.

Student 4
Student 4

Was there any opposition to these schools?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, post-1857, the British were cautious in supporting missionary education due to fears of upsetting local customs.

Teacher
Teacher

To summarize, moral education became a contentious issue, with missionaries aiming to improve moral character while navigating complex cultural sensitivities.

Historical Context and Impact

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let’s consider the historical context. What role did missionary schools play in British India?

Student 1
Student 1

They taught English and subjects but also wanted to teach Christian values?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! They not only provided basic education but emphasized moral education through Christian guidelines.

Student 2
Student 2

Why did the British government become hesitant to support them?

Teacher
Teacher

After the 1857 revolt, the British feared that promoting missionary education might provoke discontent among 'natives'.

Student 3
Student 3

How did that affect the missionaries' goals?

Teacher
Teacher

Their goals had to adjust; they faced challenges in promoting their educational and moral agenda.

Student 4
Student 4

So, they had to be careful about their approach?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! They needed to balance their educational goals with respect for local customs and sentiments.

Teacher
Teacher

In summary, missionary education significantly impacted Indian society, yet was influenced heavily by the political climate of the time.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section discusses the role of moral education as advocated by Christian missionaries in India and the historical context surrounding it.

Standard

In the 19th century, Christian missionaries emphasized that education should enhance the moral character of individuals, arguing that true morality could only be imparted through Christian teachings. Despite initial resistance from the East India Company, missionary education gained some traction, especially after 1813, but faced challenges due to cultural sensitivities post-1857.

Detailed

The Demand for Moral Education

In the 19th century, the push for moral education in India was significantly advocated by Christian missionaries. They argued that education should not only impart academic knowledge but also cultivate moral character. This concept stemmed from their belief that morality could be effectively taught through Christian education.

Until 1813, the East India Company resisted missionary activities due to concerns that it would provoke local unrest and distrust towards British rule. However, once missionaries established their presence—starting with a mission in Serampore—they began to set up schools that aimed at spreading moral and religious education.

The establishment of missionary schools across India played a crucial role in shaping educational practices. However, the aftermath of the 1857 revolt brought a sense of caution from the British government towards missionary efforts, as they feared backlash against perceived attacks on local customs and beliefs. Consequently, the balance of support for missionary education shifted, reflecting broader themes of colonial governance and cultural sensitivity.

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Critique of Practical Education

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The argument for practical education was strongly criticised by the Christian missionaries in India in the nineteenth century. The missionaries felt that education should attempt to improve the moral character of the people, and morality could be improved only through Christian education.

Detailed Explanation

In the 19th century, Christian missionaries believed that education should not just focus on practical skills but must also enhance morality. They argued that true education involves shaping a person’s character and that this could only be done through teachings based in Christianity. This perspective emphasized education as a means of moral reform rather than just skill acquisition.

Examples & Analogies

You can think of this like how a good coach not only trains athletes in their sport but also teaches them about teamwork and sportsmanship. Just as the coach believes that character is as important as skill in sports, the missionaries felt that teaching moral values was crucial in education.

Missionary Education Activity

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Until 1813, the East India Company was opposed to missionary activities in India. It feared that missionary activities would provoke reactions among the local population and make them suspicious of British presence in India. Unable to establish an institution within British-controlled territories, the missionaries set up a mission at Serampore in an area under the control of the Danish East India Company. A printing press was set up in 1800 and a college established in 1818.

Detailed Explanation

Before 1813, the East India Company was wary of missionary work, believing it could create unrest among the Indian people. Therefore, missionaries had to seek refuge in areas not directly ruled by the British, such as Serampore, where they established educational institutions and a press to publish literature. This marked the beginning of organized missionary education in India, aiming to meld Western education with Christian values.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine needing to set up a community service in your area but being told you can't do it in your neighborhood because it might cause tension. So instead, you create your community service effort in a nearby town where regulations are different. This is similar to how missionaries had to adapt to find places where they could set up their activities.

Post-1857 Attitudes Towards Missionary Education

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Over the nineteenth century, missionary schools were set up all over India. After 1857, however, the British government in India was reluctant to directly support missionary education. There was a feeling that any strong attack on local customs, practices, beliefs and religious ideas might enrage 'native' opinion.

Detailed Explanation

After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the British became cautious about missionary education fearing it could provoke backlash against their rule. They recognized that overt criticism of local customs could upset the delicate balance of control they had established. Consequently, the imperial powers distanced themselves from supporting missionary schools directly, even though these schools were becoming more widespread.

Examples & Analogies

This situation can be likened to a principal who, after seeing some students protest against strict rules, decides to avoid imposing additional regulations and seeks to ease tensions instead. The principal believes that being overly strict might lead to more unrest, just as the British feared a backlash from their subjects.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Christian Missionaries: Key figures in promoting moral education through schools in colonial India.

  • Moral Improvement: The primary goal of education as argued by missionaries, focusing on ethical and moral character.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • The establishment of Serampore College by missionaries aimed to provide education grounded in Christian values.

  • Missionary schools across India attempted to inculcate Christian morals in their curricula.

Memory Aids

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🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Moral education, a noble quest, teaching right and wrong, to give our best.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once, missionaries came to distant lands with books in hand, seeking to teach the values of compassion.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • MEMBER: Morality, Education, Morals, Betterment, Ethics, Respect—these are the pillars of moral education.

🎯 Super Acronyms

M.E.R.I.T

  • Moral Education
  • Religious Influence
  • Transformation.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Missionaries

    Definition:

    Individuals or groups who primarily aim to spread their religious beliefs, often involved in educational endeavors.

  • Term: Moral Education

    Definition:

    An aspect of education focused on teaching principles of right and wrong, ethical behavior, and virtues.

  • Term: East India Company

    Definition:

    A British trading company that became the primary agent of British colonization in India.