Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini recently stressed that moral education should be the backbone of India’s development journey. He said this during a programme organised by the Haryana School Education Board, where he pointed out that moral values in students can lead the country towards a more honest, just, and progressive society. Saini added that India can become a truly developed nation only when education is not just about marks and degrees, but also about character building.
I wanted to cover this topic because many times we focus only on exams, marks, or infrastructure in schools, but we forget that values like honesty, kindness, discipline, and respect play a big role in building a good society. As someone who has seen how fast the youth is adapting to technology and competition, I strongly feel moral guidance is needed alongside academic lessons. CM Saini’s comment is not just a statement — it’s a timely reminder that we need to rethink what we teach and how we shape the future generation. This is especially important at a time when India is aiming to become a global power and develop in every sector.
What CM Saini Said About Moral Education
While speaking at the event in Bhiwani, CM Nayab Singh Saini said that students should be given sanskars (values) from the very beginning. He believes that when students grow up with strong ethics, they automatically become responsible citizens. According to him, education without values can produce talent, but not good human beings.
He also spoke about the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which gives importance to holistic development. Saini said that NEP is a step in the right direction because it promotes learning beyond books and includes moral and cultural teachings.
He urged teachers to not only teach subjects like maths and science but also spend time on character building. He encouraged schools to introduce value-based content in classrooms.
Why Moral Education Matters Today
In today’s fast-moving world, children are exposed to all sorts of content — from social media to online games. While some of it is useful, much of it also promotes unhealthy competition, materialism, and distractions. That’s why moral education is more important now than ever before.
Here’s why it matters:
- It teaches children the difference between right and wrong
- Helps them make better decisions in real life
- Builds empathy, discipline and respect for others
- Prepares them to handle peer pressure and stress
- Creates socially aware and responsible citizens
Moral education also strengthens family bonds and respect for teachers, which is slowly disappearing from modern schooling.
Examples from Schools That Include Moral Teaching
Many schools in India are already including moral values in morning assemblies, storytelling sessions, and classroom discussions. For example:
- Some CBSE schools conduct value education periods once a week
- Schools in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat use folk tales and real-life stories to teach honesty and compassion
- Delhi government schools organise happiness classes that focus on gratitude, mindfulness, and respect
Such efforts need to be expanded across the country. Teachers also need training on how to handle moral education in a fun and meaningful way.
What Can Be Done to Improve Moral Education
The CM’s message is clear — moral education should be a priority. But how can we actually do that? Here are some suggestions:
- Include value-based questions in exam papers
- Encourage group activities that promote cooperation over competition
- Organise community service and charity work as part of school curriculum
- Invite speakers from various fields to talk about life experiences and ethics
- Make parents part of the moral education journey by conducting joint sessions
The idea is not to preach, but to help students develop their own thinking and sense of right and wrong.
