Differentiate between formal education and theological education. Do you think theological education should be encouraged in “secular” democracies such as India? Critically comment. (200 Words)
Theological education refers to the religious or spiritual education that is provided by the madrassa and other religious educational institutions. Formal education on the other hand provides the education in the subjects like science, English, maths etc.
Theological teaching is a must in society to build ethical, moral and social values. In multi religious India where numerous religions co-exist theological school is way to ensure that one religion does not feel subjugated to majoritarianism. Theological education does not do any harm in fact it creates better citizen.
Indian Constitution provides the right to religion under which religious institutions can provide religious education to the students. But this has many demerits –
- Theological education does not equip the student well enough to cope with the modern world.
- It has the tendency to increase the communal feeling among the students
- The theological education cannot help in guaranteeing the employment in the formal sector which requires formal education.
- Mostly the socially and economically backward classes children go for the theological education, thus this type of education further makes them backward.
In India it should be ensured that these schools provide modern subjects teaching like maths, science, and social. Also, the teaching must be monitored to ensure these are not serving any communal agenda. With better monitoring and structure theological school can make India a truly secular and democratic society.