DEMOCRATIC TRENDS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Introduction
The purpose of education in a democratic society is to instil the values of cooperation, fairness and justice into the hearts of students. The values are essential to maintaining and improving a functioning democracy in a country. Democracy aims essentially to preserve and promote the dignity and fundamental rights of the individual, to achieve social justice, foster the economic and social development of the community etc.
Democratic education is an educational ideal in which democracy is both a goal and a method of instruction. It brings democratic values to education and can include self-determination within a community of equals, as well as such values as justice, respect and trust.
Why democracy is so important?
A functioning democracy is the form of government that provides its citizens with the most freedom, the most opportunity, the greatest prosperity and the most comfortable life. Higher education established itself as a democratic institution with the aim to promote openness, freedom, and the development of practical knowledge.
Just as we should argue for, and demand vigorously, the government support for higher education, we should also think about what kind of higher education system do we want that produces the individual or leaders who care about the values most dear to us.
The relationship between the higher education system of a country and the leaders or individuals it produces is both intimate and far reaching. Even when things go bad in governance, the education system provides hope that the system will return to equilibrium.
Democratic education aims to develop real democracy through active participation by all those involved in classrooms and educational institutions. In democratic education students have the power to make decisions about their learning, because power is shared rather than appropriated in advanced by a minority of people.
Democratic principles as applied to education
Liberty
Equality in education
Fraternity in education
Justice in education
Cooperation in education
Sharing responsibility in education
The democracy elicits thoughts of freedom and autonomy from Government or at least full choice in governmental decisions. The concept of choice and control are the heart of democratic education. Choice means the ability to have autonomy in the direction of one’s own educational path. Control is the ability to decide how to approach major educational needs. Students have given choice and control over their own educational careers.
The most important benefits of democratic education in higher education sector
The students ownership of their education
Freedom for all, that means freedom to choose a course or institution.
Higher attendance
Greater participation in educational activities
Higher students achievements
Increased intrinsic motivation
Higher education can promote democracy by fostering social inclusion
Higher education institution create a climate for public reasoning
The all India survey on higher education released the HRD Ministry, says the gender gap in higher education institutions decreased by over nine lakh from 2011-2012 to 2016-2017
There has been a trend of increasing women education whether it is colleges, universities etc.
Schemes and scholarships are provided for students to their achievement
Teacher roles in democratic education
First person of the classroom
Energetic
Ready for new challenges
Problem solving attitude
Effective orator
Unbiased
Trust worthy
No gender discrimination
Conclusion
The democratisation of education mainly includes aspects like offering free choice of education options, easy access to any level of education, a smooth transition in the movement from one level of education on to the next, creative freedom to teacher and student.
In our view, democracy has been accepted as a philosophy of modern life. Since education is a potential instrument for social changes leading to modernization it has to maintain close relationship with that philosophy.Inorder to get education, democracy is necessary. Also to understand the meaning and applications of democracy, education is essential.