Holistic Education in the J. Krishnamurti’s Philosophy and the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020: A Critical Analysis

Abstract J. Krishnamurti is one of the few enlightened philosophers who had deeper insights at miserable state of human consciousness and wanted radical transformation in the contemporary education system to completely change the way of observation, listening and thinking to bring awareness and freedom from thought. J. Krishnamurti considered education as an important tool due to its ability in bringing about quick positive transformation among people, thereby changing the society. He held that the purpose of education is to bring about a radical transformation in human consciousness through awakening of intelligence and sensitivity among students by setting them unconditionally free to foster academic proficiency in a non-competitive environment. He was not satisfied with the contemporary education system because of its being confined within four walls of educational institutions limited to awarding of degrees based on marks obtained which created a sense of fear among students and compelled them to adjust within a set pattern. He considered education as holistic life-long process extending beyond the physical confinement of educational institutions empowering young minds to think innovatively, creatively and critically breaking all barriers of accumulated knowledge and thoughts. He believed that a sound education system should not attempt to create knowledgeable educated slaves but rather produce ignited minds by setting individuals unconditionally free who could become able to observe their life and its surrounding holistically without any fragmentation and make meaningful inquiry without any conditioning which is the very innate quality of a child. A fragmented mind in caught within vicious web of cause and effect analysis preventing it to see problems holistically and so any action to address those problems are incomplete. He considered the highest function of education is to bring about an integrated individual who is capable of dealing with life as a whole. The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 has provided for some reflections of Krishnamurti’s philosophy by emphasizing on inculcating not only necessary professional skills in children for earning livelihood but also developing them in a holistic way in both academic and non-academic realms. This study attempts to investigate into J. Krishnamurti’s philosophy related to the field of education and underline its relevance in the present times education system. Further, this study would make an assessment of reflections of the vision of Krishnamurti in the NEP-2020 and the steps that are being undertaken for proper implementation of Krishnamurti’s philosophy in the Indian education system.