Workers Education

Worker's education is often considered to be a part of the wider field of adult education. While adult Education aims at serving all adult members of the society, Worker’s Education confines its attention mainly to the working population. Yet both share common basic objectives. The ultimate objectives of both of them are indeed derived from the aims and goals of education itself.

There are broadly two schools of thoughtsA. According to one, the objective of education is “to produce individuals who are effective

members of the societies to which they belong". Values are thus stated in terms of the natural pattern of the society which education functions. The aims and objectives of education would thus obviously be constantly changing according to the changes into the society itself.

B. The second concept regards the individual man himself as the end of education. The ultimate objective of education according to this concept is the “development of the intellect, character, appreciation and the physical well-being of each individual to the highest degree possible". The values are thus derived in terms' of the good, the true, and the beautiful for all men at all places at all time. The immediate situation would thus appear to have hardly any effect on the ultimate objectives of education as was the case in the previous concept. Either or both the concept may need to be considered for the workers education program.

We should also consider whether workers education is merely adult education for group of people called the workers. if not, what is the difference between workers education and adult education. We should do well to distinguish workers education also from Primary Education. Fundamental education, Basic education, Cultural education, Technical educational and Vocational education etc.

Need For Worker’s Education

A. Because of the changing society nearly all over the world and places and role of workers and their organization in the society. These changes mean new and more complicated problems for all individuals and for the trade unions.

B. Because of an insufficient compulsory school system and illiteracy among the workers (Worker's Education may also in some aspects have to deal with illiteracy). Worker's must know their rights and obligations, purpose and functions of Trade Unions, Labour protection Laws etc.

Scope and content of workers education

A. Role of Workersa. Head of a familyb. Worker in a factoryc. Member of Trade Union Branch, local, national and, internationalsd. worker as producer and consumer

e. worker as a citizen.

B. Need to grow maturea. The feeling of insufficiencyb. The Common conception of being maturec. What it really is to be mature.

C. Increased time of leisurea. 8 hours workb. 8 hours sleepc. 8 hours relaxation. family life etc.

c.i. There will be no progress in a society where people do not want to devote part of their own time and energy to society, to work for common interest etc. Too many do not known what to do of their leisure time. They find it dull. They try to “Kill time". We can achieve this by raising our cultural standard, by reading literature, studying art or music or by learning to play on instrument etc. instead of idle spare-time we should have better enjoyed spare-time.

D. The need of fellowship and to have friends : Because is a strong need in every human being to be appreciated, to have real friends. We may give opportunities by getting people to join educational activities where they can get to know new friends. who helps have the same problems and are struggling to solve them.

The ultimate objective of Worker’s Education are to:A. enable workers to be better trade unionists, citizens and world citizen.B. To help the workers as individuals to grow matureC. To give opportunities for an active spare time. higher cultural standardD. To use educational methods which make it easy for participants to know each other better and to

make friends.

Methods for worker’s education : Methods are means to achieve a specified educational objective. Their suitability - or otherwise is perhaps determined by a number of factors like, the objective to be achieved, the contents of education to be conveyed and the characteristics of the group of people for whom education is to be provided.

A. Selection of methods depends on a. Aims and purpose of worker's education and the objective to be achievedb. Contents of education to be conveyedc. Characteristics of the group of people for whom education is to be provided e.g.

c.i. the psychology of the groupc.ii. ability to learn and mental faculty

c.iii. educational level of the membersc.iv. the social and cultural backgrounds of the participantsc.v. Resources - both human and material at the disposal of the agency

B. description of various methods: a. Lectures, Buzz and Bull Sessionsb. Study Circles, Discussion, Seminars. Workshop, Debate and Case Study. Symposiums.c. Wall-newspapers, reading room, Library, Exhibitions, Films. and flip chartd. Role playing; creative Dramatics, Music, Games and other recreational activities e. Forms

e.i. Single Lecturee.ii. Course of Lecture

e.iii. Conferencese.iv. Week End Coursee.v. residential Course

e.vi. Correspondences course.

AGENCIES MAY BE INVOLVED

A. Trade UnionB. UniversitiesC. Formal OrganizationD. Community CentresE. Social and other charitable organization - according to suitability.

PHASES OF WORKER’S EDUCATION

A. Trade Union Education and then gradually extend toB. Social and Economic Education relating to workers subjects and then toC. General and supplementary education and then again toD. Cultural Education

Different definition of Workers education : ILO Definition:

“Workers Education includes all kinds of education which are voluntarily undertaken by workers to enable them to develop their individualities to fulfill their responsibilities as workers and as citizens and to take active part in the social economic and cultural life of the modern society within the framework of local national and international (World) citizenship.” Dr. Earnest Green's (President, international Workers Education Association) Definition

“Purposes of Workers” Education is to give the students (Workers) guidance to enable to use his own judgment, to form his own opinion. to give the capacity to express himself, to enable him to separate facts from assumptions, to teach him how to think and not what to think, to help him to understand that he does not carry conviction by the more vigour and energy with which he proclaims his views but by the sound logic he can, produce to support his views he proclaims"

Conclusion

The ultimate object of worker's education (like all other education's) which is a new and very fascinating adventure is in a broad sense, to rescue man’s mind from prejudices, intolerance and ignorance. to obtain that there is completely free exchange of ideas until all barriers to peace and understandings are broken and there is common zeal for knowledge or understanding which will overcome narrow parochial and racial prejudices and the vested interest of those who profit by the tension that divides mankind and lead to war. Education must be considered as a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. It should enable the learner to entertain a new idea, entertain another person and entertain himself. At home it is a friend, abroad an introduction, in solitude a solace and in society an ornament. A worker being what he is in the present day society can be allowed to remain in darkness and ignorance only at a great risk to and peril of the whole human society.