GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

Knowledge and skills are important, but they must be grounded in ethical principles for true success. In this context, discuss the importance of ethics in education and the role of educational institutions in imparting ethical values.

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025

Syllabus: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 160 words · 67% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A quotation3 of 3

Body

  • Points2 of 3
  • Points and prose1 of 3

Close

  • No separate close1 of 3
  • A quotation1 of 3
  • A source1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Ishan BhatnagarAIR 5 · CSE 2025 · 163 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a quotation

C.S. Lewis famously said that "education without morals makes man a "more clever Devil"" highlighting the supreme significance of ethics in education.

Body · points

Importance of ethics in education

  1. Shapes the character on the "blank slate" (tabula rasa) of the mind (John Locke).
  2. Teaches the social norms and values of society to the child (Durkheim).
  3. Fosters intelligence, curiosity, love for learning. e.g. Sivasubramaniya Iyer inspired noble Pres Kalam to pursue science.
  4. Uniforms, discipline, universalistic institutions - teacher quality, discipline, obedience and mutual coexistence.

Role of educational institutions 1.) They are "temples of learning" where child learn character strengths. e.g. diligence, team work. 2.) They promote universalistic orientation - tolerance of different backgrounds, regions etc. e.g. diversity initiatives, affirmative action. 3.) Imbibe values of meritocracy and hard work. 4.) Correct mistakes - e.g. Gandhiji learnt from his teacher's reprimand to respect institution.

Diagram
If moral education absent - Knowledge without character → corruption - skills used for moral wrongs → cyber hacking

Close · a quotation

Hence, morality is at the heart of good education. As Nelson Mandela said, values taught at school last a lifetime.

More on Family, Society and Education

The role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values, and what happens when they fail to.

All GS4 questions on Family, Society and Education