POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, POSITIVE SCHOOLING AND RABINDRANATH TAGORE’S EDUCATIONAL IDEAS

The concept of Positive Psychology is comparatively new in the realm of psychology. It is related to the happiness of an individual or a group. Happiness or the frequent positive affective state of mind also impacts mental well-being and, hence, an individuals mental health and development. The educational system developed by Rabindranath Tagore in Santiniketan dated back to 1901 in the form of a Brahmacharya Vidyalaya had the prime aim of joy of mind of the students. Closeness to nature, classes in the open air, multidimensional curriculum were some of the significant principles of the educational institution established by a Rabindranath Tagore. All these principles certainly aim to strengthen the students happiness base. More than a century before, Tagore had applied these principles of positive psychology to his educational experiments. The present study is a humble effort to trace Tagores educational efforts related to happiness, positive psychology, and positive schooling. KEYWORDS: Positive Psychology, Positive Schooling, Rabindranath Tagores educational Practices