Critical analysis of the awareness of constitutional values and development of instructional strategies for the inculcation of selected values among higher secondary school students in Kerala

Abstract

Education, unlocking human potential, fostering knowledge, responsibility and compassion should promote the goal of socialism, secularism and democracy enshrined in our Constitution. It is noted that the existing threats of systemic inequalities and injustices can be eliminated only by developing a responsible generation with a strong foundation of constitutional values. The curriculum should reflect the values and aspirations of the nation and foster critical thinking and analytical skills to nurture active and responsible citizens to make meaningful contributions to the progress of a successful nation. Implementation of technological advancement and innovative teaching strategies will act as catalysts in this process. Hence it is high time we took responsibility and action to incorporate innovative and appropriate strategies and ideas of teaching learning for the effective transaction of the constitutional values among students. The purpose of the study was to find out the Awareness of constitutional values and the development of a Module of Instructional Strategies (MIS) for inculcation of selected values among higher secondary school students in Kerala. The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase of the study was conducted by survey method and document analysis. The second phase of the study was experimental in nature. A quasi-experimental Pre-Test Post Test design was adopted for the stage. Module of Instructional Strategies (MIS) was prepared and subjected to experimentation for checking its effectiveness. The present study employed both Qualitative techniques and Quantitative techniques wherever necessary. For the first phase of the study, the investigator selected a sample of 1000 students in Higher secondary school students of Kerala. Also, a sample of 96higher secondary teachers was selected for collecting information regarding the instructional strategies adopted by teachers in higher secondary schools for inculcating constitutional values, methods of teaching they are using, how they perceive the learning of students etc. For the second phase, two intact groups of 60 higher secondary students each are selected as the experimental and control groups for comparison. Tools and Techniques used for the study were an Awareness Test on Constitutional Values for Students, Questionnaire on Instructional Strategies used by Teachers, a Test on Attainment of Constitutional Values and a Module of Instructional Strategies (MIS). Percentage analysis, Test of significance of difference between means and Cohen’s d value were the statistical techniques used for the study. A document analysis of the Coursebook and Sourcebook prescribed for standard XI Political Science (NCERT) showed that there are 13 broad constitutional values reflected in Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) and Fundamental Duties which form the core topics in Chapter 2, ‘Rights in Indian Constitution’ of Plus one Political Science Coursebook (Constitution at a Work). The study revealed that there is a dire need for increasing the awareness of these constitutional values among higher secondary school students and an urgent intervention is required to overcome the difficulties of students for attaining the constitutional values. The findings of the study showed that an urgency is also felt to change the existing style of teaching adopted for the transaction of the constitutional values among higher secondary school students. Hence the researcher developed a Module of Instructional Strategies (MIS) for inculcating constitutional values among higher secondary school students in Kerala. Before the implementation of MIS both the control and experimental groups showed similar baseline knowledge or similar attainment levels of constitutional values. After the implementation of MIS, the experimental group showed a much higher level of attainment of constitutional values. This indicated the effectiveness of MIS in promoting the attainment of constitutional values. The findings of the study revealed that the intervention of MIS had a highly significant and meaningful impact on the students’ understanding and attainment of Constitutional values.