Educating positively: Quality enrichment in higher education

Pages:508-512
Sushila Pareek and Nirmala Singh Rathore (Department of Psychology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan)

Education is conceived as a powerful agency, which is instrumental in bringing about the desired changes in the socio cultural and economic life of nation. In particular, the importance of the Higher Education System in addressing the economic prospects of a nation has never been in doubt. The contribution of the Higher Education System for the development of knowledge and skills and for the generation of wealth, growth of employment, improvement in productivity and enhancement of global competitive capabilities are well recognized. Further, higher education plays an important role in facilitating social, economical, technological and human resource development and changes and producing adequately trained manpower. Students now a days deal with many issues and peer pressures which subject them to drugs, depression, obesity, alcohol, eating disorder, suicide, bullying and peer group pressure. The high prevalence worldwide depression among students, the small rise in life satisfaction and the synergy between learning and positive emotion argue that the skills for happiness should be taught in school and other education institutions. Martin Seligman, founder of the field of positive psychology is appreciated to begin the world’s pioneering school; when he comes to employing the science of positive psychology to bolster good teaching practices as positive education program. According to Seligman and et al. (2009) positive education is defined as education for both traditional skills and for happiness. Thus, Positive education helps in identifying and utilizing character strengths rather than the traditional focus on student’s weaknesses and helps in achieving a more positive attitude, interpersonal relationships, and happiness and develops resilience.