International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Pedagogical Vision and Teacher Education of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: A Historical-Analytical Research

This paper will analyse the pedagogical vision and work of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in the general framework of the educational reform in colonial India during the nineteenth century. Even though Vidyasagar is well known as a social reformist and a supporter of the education of women in his contribution to Bengal Renaissance, little systematic scholarly interest has been given to his pedagogical concepts and their consequence on teacher education. To fill this gap, the current research has adopted the historical-analytical research design to reconsider the educational philosophy of Vidyasagar using the theoretical contexts of the contemporary times, such as critical pedagogy, social reconstructionism, and humanistic learner-centred education. The discussion is based on primary sources including educational works of Vidyasagar and an educational work Barnaparichay (1855), historical and educational literature. The results show four interrelated dimensions of his pedagogical model, such as teacher professionalism, vernacular, child-centred pedagogy, inclusive education, and education as a source of moral and social reform. This paper exemplifies that Vidyasagar has visualised the role of teachers as a morally upright intellectual leader, which leads to central role in promoting both educational and social transformation. His promotion of the teaching of native language and the growth of education among women and disadvantaged groups of people presupposed the main principles that are focused on in the modern discussion of the issues of inclusive education and culturally responsive teaching. The research establishes the perpetual relevance of Vidyasagar to contemporary theories of education by placing his concepts into the context of the contemporary educational theory, by identifying whether teacher preparation, educational equity, and socially responsive education.