education system

India has a unique education system designed to uphold its nation’s culture, history, values, and customs.

While traditionally, education in India was reserved mostly for the higher-caste children, new education policies have been aiming to achieve equity in education and the right to education for all children irrespective of social class.    

Here we take a look at the traditional and facts surrounding education in India, looking especially at the latest policies that aim to create a more inclusive and contemporary education system.

We also explore ways you can empower your students’ thirst for knowledge while meeting new classroom demands and needs, across primary, secondary and higher education.

A brief history of India’s education system

The Gurukul was India’s first system of education. It was a residential schooling system dating back to around 5000 BC, where shisya (student) and guru (teacher) used to reside in the guru’s ashram (home) or in close proximity. This allowed for an emotional bond to be developed prior to the transmission of knowledge. The mode of communication was the ancient Sanskrit language.

The basis of learning wasn’t only to read books and memorise information, but the well-rounded, holistic development of a child. This included their mental, cognitive, physical and spiritual wellness. Subjects taught were religion, holy scriptures, medicine, philosophy, warfare, statecraft, astrology and more. 

The emphasis was on developing students value such as self-reliance, right behaviours, empathy, creativity, plus strong moral and ethical behaviours. The aim was that knowledge could later be practically implemented to find solutions to real-life problems. 

The six aims of the education  the students of the Gurukul where:

• The acquisition of supreme knowledge: The ultimate purpose of the Gurukul education system was to understand Brahma (God) and the world beyond sensorial pleasures to attain immortality. modern education system in india
• Development of character: Through study of the Vedas (ancient texts), the student developed will-power, a requirement for a good character, which subsequently allowed them to create a more favourable attitude and positive outlook towards life.
• All-rounded development: Learning to withdraw the senses inwards and practice introversion was considered as the ideal method for complete living. This allowed students to become aware of the inner workings of the mind and their responses and reactions while performing various duties in the Gurukul.
• Social virtues: By training body, mind and heart, the student was inspired to only speak truth and refrain from deceit and falsehood.  This was considered to be the highest human virtue. They were also encouraged to believe in giving to charities which made them socially efficient.
• Spiritual development: The ancient texts suggest introversion as the best method for spiritual development, including Yagyas (rituals). Therefore, the student spent time in reflection and isolation from the external world to look entirely within himself to attain self-knowledge and self-realisation. education system in india speech
• Cultural education: One day a year, students offered food to a passerby or a guest. This act was considered a sacrifice equivalent to one’s social and religious duty to another