Education Rooted in Character-Building

Swami Vedapurushanandaji, Principal of Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Jhargram, and Secretary of the Jhargram Ashram, said that not only cognitive development but also character building and the holistic development of students are of cardinal importance in today’s world. He was addressing the orientation programme for parents of the primary section of the school on 22 March. Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith is the first coeducational school run by the Ramakrishna Mission in West Bengal.

It will follow the CBSE curriculum. The construction of the secondary section will begin shortly. The school was inaugurated by Swami Suvirannandaji, General Secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, on 8 February 2026. Swami Gautamanandaji, President of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, had also visited the site earlier and blessed the monks to carry on with their selfless work. He said that truthfulness is the most precious quality in students. “They should be in a position to accept their mistakes and b e aware of their limitations and strengths,” he said, adding that collaboration between guardians, teachers, and school authorities is essential for the well-being and comprehensive personality development of students.

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He noted that there are more than 500 schools run by the Ramakrishna Mission across India and that more than one lakh students pass out from these institutions. He maintained that the school offers activity-based modern education, where learning becomes enjoyable. Swami Alokeshanandaji, Assistant Secretary of the Ashram, opined that parents should co op erate with the school authorities to help students inc ulcate discipline. “Discipline and sincerity need to be developed from early student life. We expect parents to cooperate with us in helping students develop discipline.” He was associated with the Narendrapur Ramakrishna Mission school for more than two decades.

He said that parents should keep track of their children, ignite their inquisitiveness, and widen their horizons. “Respect for teachers and elders, along with discipline at home, should b e developed. Please do not criticise teachers in front of children,” he said, adding that children should not be given cell phones. Miss Nipa Maity, the school coordinator, said that along with traditional blackboards, digital boards have been installed in the classrooms. The school also has a well-defined library. “Computer education and robotics are taught to students. Cultural programmes are held to develop students’ confidence.

These functions help shy students overcome their inhibitions and participate actively. They also help develop teamwork and encourage the positive use of cell phones.” Like every Ramakrishna Mission centre, the school is neat and clean, and the classrooms are well decorated. The staircase has been designed in such a way that students do not face any difficulty in reaching their classrooms. Senior officials of the Jhargram district administration had requested the Ramakrishna Mission authorities to open a coeducational school for general students. Swami Vivekananda had said, “I want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one’s own feet.” He had encouraged his brother monks to open schools across the nation to impart education to the poor and the down trodden.