Introduction
Social work education in India has evolved significantly over the years. It started as informal community service and has now become a full-fledged professional discipline. Alongside education, the development of social work literature has played an important role in shaping the profession. Both education and literature have passed through various stages to reach where they are today.
Stages of Social Work Education
1. Informal and Voluntary Stage
Before formal education began, social work was done informally through religious institutions and reform movements. People like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Swami Vivekananda promoted social service through voluntary action. There was no formal training, and work was mostly guided by values of compassion and charity.
2. Introduction of Formal Education
The first school of social work in India was the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), established in 1936 in Mumbai. It marked the beginning of structured education in social work. Other institutions like Delhi School of Social Work and Madras School of Social Work followed.
3. Expansion Phase
During the post-independence period, many universities introduced social work programs. Bachelor’s and Master’s level courses were started. Fieldwork became an essential part of the curriculum. Social work was recognized as both an academic and practical field.
4. Diversification and Specialization
In later years, specializations such as medical social work, psychiatric social work, rural development, and industrial relations were added. This helped students focus on specific areas of interest and enhanced the quality of training.
5. Use of Technology and Distance Education
Today, many institutions offer online and distance learning courses. IGNOU has played a key role in providing access to social work education to students across India. Technology is now used in teaching, assignments, and fieldwork supervision.
Stages of Literature Development in Social Work
1. Initial Stage – Borrowed Literature
In the beginning, most books and study materials were taken from Western authors. These resources helped in understanding basic concepts but did not always reflect Indian realities.
2. Indigenous Literature
Gradually, Indian scholars began writing books and papers on social work from an Indian perspective. Issues like caste, poverty, rural development, and gender were given focus. Writers like S.D. Gokhale, A.R. Wadia, and T.K. Nair contributed significantly.
3. Research-Based Literature
With the growth of universities and research institutions, there was an increase in field-based studies and action research. Journals like the Indian Journal of Social Work started publishing research articles regularly.
4. Multilingual Expansion
To reach a wider audience, literature began to be written in regional languages. This helped students from rural and non-English speaking backgrounds to understand social work better.
5. Digital and Online Resources
Today, e-books, journals, videos, and online portals provide social work knowledge in a more accessible form. This has made literature development faster and more inclusive.
Conclusion
Social work education and literature in India have come a long way. From informal charity work to structured education and research, the profession has grown steadily. Today, social work is recognized as a vital academic and practical field that addresses the needs of society. With continuous efforts in education and literature, the future of social work in India looks promising.