REWARDS AND PUNISHMENT IN
EDUCATION
Devesh Kumar Nirmal
M.Sc.,B.Ed.,
Ex.PRT(Bihar),PRT(KVS)
E.Mail.devesh.nirmal@gmail.com
Mob.-9470028802
K.V.AFS, Chunapur,Purnea Bihar
(Region-Patna)
Condemning and talks of scribbling any form of
punishment in educational institute is the bandwagon
of the day. In the larger perspective,
be it
educational, social, cultural or physical development
of the child or human, the provision of rewards and
punishment when works in tandem proportionately,
the qualitative and complete development of personality is ensured.
The above notion can be proved taking examples from mythological instances,
social construction of the world, biological sciences etc. as well.
The mythological texts are full of instances when the good deeds were rewarded
while the evils punished. By his own sheer hard work of saintly approach “Bhasmasur”
could receive the divine power as a reward from Lord Mahadev to turn anything into
ashes. The same Bhasmasur was punished to death when an evil libido to get Gauri
cropped up in him.
To strike the balance in society, there is the arrangement of constitution, where
the lawful activities are hailed by all. The unlawful deeds are booed sooner or later. The
healthy living condition and good eating habits results as the reward of good health for
the biological organisms, any unhealthy practice like smoking, drug abuse etc. results in
the punishing end of health deterioration etc.
Thus it is quite evident that the natural system of rewards and punishment is
everywhere in nature, perhaps essential to establish the balance of the world. Education
which is a social process and aims at fulfilling the goals of society and culture thus
cannot be in isolation of reward only, totally devoid of punishment. Looking into the
psychological aspect, education is nothing but learning of desirable traits and learning
means to bring changes in the behaviour.
In the words of Melvin H. Morex,” Learning is a relatively enduring change in
behaviour which is a function of prior behaviour usually called practiced” Role of
reinforcement in Learning has been agreed upon in most learning theories be it
Thorndike’s theory, Skinner’s theory or Hull’s theory. Reinforcement in psychology has
been divided in the following categories.
(i)
Positive reinforce:- It is any stimulus which an individual will work to obtain such as
food, money etc. In educational institution this reinforce may be like good grades or
marks in tests and examination. Patting the students by his/her teacher and even a
pleasant smile by the teacher in response to student reply or activity, which in common
parlance we say as reward.
A positive reinforce serves to strengthen or maintain the
response. These
rewards are valuable in students’ development.
(ii)
Negative reinforce: - Those unpleasant stimulation which the learner will readily
terminate if given the opportunity to do so such as social disapproval or condemnation of
student by peer group. Suppose engaging in home work is the only means by which a
student can terminate the displeasure of his teacher, the student may, over a period of
time, learn to terminate the annoying stimulation quickly by engaging in the required
task.
Contd.:-02
(iii)
Punisher:- It is an aversive stimulus which follows a response and frequently serves to
suppress it.
A negative reinforce precedes the response and forces its occurrence to terminate the
unpleasant condition, whereas the punisher follows the response. Thus negative
reinforcer and punishment differ in its occurrence time only.
Quite evident from the above mythological instances, sociological practices
and psychological principles, it can be concluded thus that reward and punishment when
applied in proper and balanced measure can only culminate in the balanced development
of personality.
An education system has to develop a bold and confident citizen of course but
if during the developing phases the notion of punishment has not been applied it will lead
into the formation of citizen who may be intelligent but may work according to his own
whims and fancies without a care for others and thus smash the poor below the wheels of
his mighty ear, blasts bombs to kill millions for the pursuit of their own career, religion
etc. and thus the balance of entire society and humanity may reach the peril.
A child who has never faced punishment in educational institution or at home for
his wrong deeds may not understand the value of constitution and thus cannot be a
worthy democratic citizen, which the today’s world seeks for.
In educational institution thus while rewards should be given to promote the positive
traits, punishment in mild form to condemn and check the negative traits. Of course, the
intensity, intention and inclination of punishment should be only the overall development
of child and not the outburst of frustration, anguish and anger of teacher. A teacher has to
be like a gardener who has been entrusted with the responsibility of growing and
grooming the flowers. In doing so he has to prepare the soil and manure it and at the
same time apply scissors to cut the straying and diseased branches and then only a
beautiful garden can develop.
A teacher has to be skilled like a potter who of course strikes the brittle pot but
always keeps support below to make it beautiful and not to break the pot.
Rightly said,
Guru Kumhar Shisya Kumbh Hai
Garhi Garhi Karhe Khot
Andar Hath Samhar De
Baahar Mere Chot.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Devesh Kumar
Nirmal
M.Sc.,B.Ed.,
Ex.PRT(Bihar),PRT(KVS)
E.Mail.devesh.nirmal@gmail.com
Mob.-9470028802
K.V.AFS, Chunapur,Purnea Bihar
(Region-Patna)
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