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(“Education is the process of Individual mind getting its full possible development�).
-Dr. Zakir Hussain

In the present era of globalisation there is so much hue and cry about the need for inducing values in every field. Every profession and activity possesses a value in different degrees in terms of materialistic, moralistic and spiritual dimensions.

Value may be considered as a means to attain a certain goal. History is a process of realising values in human life. Values constitute on important part of culture. Values form an important element of our nature and personality.

In the present context the term value denotes an ethical meaning which in broad sense helps in promoting personal and social welfare and development in general.

A society without values disintegrates and perishes soon. Values act as the foundation stone for institutions to survive in the changing world. Values are context - based and serve as guiding principles of life to which people are emotionally committed. Values are transmitted through social activities (meetings, parties and discussions), class rooms, religious places and functions (Festivals, ceremonies and rituals), media (T.V. radio and films etc.) and through books. There are different types of values such as political values, social values, moral values, professional values, individual values and artistic values etc.

Broadly speaking, the values which are constant and broad in their applicability are called universal or core values such as satya (Truth) Ahimsa (Non-violence), Shanti (Peace) Kshama (Toleronce), Dharma (Righteous conduct) and Prema (Love). The values which change from time to time and place to place are called peripheral values such as manners and procedures to be followed in various occupations and professions.

Many organisations have evolved a code of conduct (a set of principles) and organised training camps to inculcate suitable ethical values and desirable patterns of behaviour. In management field also, values are considered a vital component of working of efficiency and professional competence. But too much competition leads to erosion of values. Commercialisation, a shift from service oriented to profit-oriented motives, results in degradation of values. The powerful invasion of foreign cultures also leads to deterioration of values. Interpersonal relationships (Mutual help, friendly feelings and team work), strengthen value systems where as pure business and professional relationships weaken the values.

In the field of education teachers and management have an important role to play to promote values along with imparting of knowledge. The influence of teachers is quite considerable on learners; as such, they should take their profession as a valuable opportunity to inculcate values both by their own behavior and by instruction. Some of the values that may be cultivated among the learners are: 1. Regular attendance 2. Courteous manners 3. Self-thinking 4. Honesty 5. Concern for others� feelings 6. Tolerance 7. control over emotions 8. Use of decent and polite language  9. Service motive 10. Respect for elders 11. Sense of patriotism 12. Respect for culture 13. Originality, Innovative and creative skills 14. Respect for law and regulations 15. Faith in God 16. Optimistic outlook 17. sense of responsibility 18. Willingness to do hard work and adapt oneself to changing conditions 19. Willingness to give up bad habits 20. Thirst for knowledge and self improvement.

Our Government also realised the importance of values in educational set-up and introduced relevant steps to promote values among learners.

The Kothari Commission Report (1964) viewed education as a means of national integration and social change.

The National Commission for Education in 1956 showed much concern about erosion of values in the society, and re-adjusted the curriculum to foster values in educational institutions. In 1997 the U.N.O. stressed values in education especially values like tolerance, truthfulness, justice and solidarity.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee in its report says “All educational effort is aimed at value development� and “the purpose of value education is to strengthen the right bonds, and weaken the wrong ones.�

Thus the importance of values is very much recognised as education is a social investment of human capital for the sake of individuals as well as social betterment in all aspects.

So to enhance the values, man should make proper use of knowledge for the welfare and benefit of mankind. He should curb his destructive and selfish impulses, and contribute to the development of society. Without values education loses its sacred worth and becomes merely a soulless money-earning task without being useful to the individual and to the society at large.