Volume 12 : Issue 12.2 (2025)

Exploration of Holistic Education Practices in Secondary Schools in India

Education is considered to be vital for enabling economic growth and sustainable development of nations based on the principles of equity and social justice (UNESCO, n.d.). The fourth SDG of the United Nations is ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all (United Nations, n.d.). The National Education Policy, 2020 formulated to meet the needs of the 21st century learners envisages Indian education being harmonised with the goals of modern education, including those in SDG 4 (Ministry of Education, Government of India, 2020). The review of related literature indicates that there has been insufficient current research on holistic education practices and implementation in India which justifies the need for the present study. In this paper, the researchers reviewed holistic education imparted in twelve different schools in India to understand the practices and challenges that influence the status of holistic education. The researchers structured their inquiry around four dimensions of holistic education viz. physical, social, emotional and spiritual development. The researchers conducted thematic analysis of holistic education practices and their implementation in the selected schools. The findings were contextualized with the help of relevant educational theories and cited studies. They revealed that these schools are invested in holistic education practices, with similarities as well as differences in their approach to holistic education practices. The findings revealed that the schools reviewed have diverse approaches for holistic development of students through sports programmes and skill development; fostering community engagement and collaboration; nurturing school environments; cultivating ethical awareness and connection with nature. The findings suggest the need for clarity in understanding of holistic education and the dimensions of student development that need to be emphasised.

Holistic education, physical, social, emotional and spiritual development