Ancient Education System in India

1.

Present system of education

THE SYSTEM:
In the ancient days, the Gurukul system of
education was prevalent. The teacher was
the Guru and the disciple was the Sishya.
The disciples lived in the Gurus aashram
during the course of their training and in
turn offered their services to the ashram.
This period of learning of about 12 years,
was considered as a great sacrifice or a
penance. The Guru identified the capability
of this Sishya and accordingly imparted
knowledge. The sishyas learnt amidst the
natural surroundings of the ashram in open
air, in close contact with nature.

The present system of education is formulated

by the government appointed educationists
committee and the education ministers, the
students attend school or college and stay at
home the rest of the time there is nothing like
a sacrifice for education hence at times it is not
taken in all its seriousness, though there are
some boarding schools still prevalent.
According t the grade that they are in as per
their age they are taught the fixed curriculum it
is not imparted as per his caliber instead he is
supposed to have the caliber as per his age t
grasp the fixed curriculum. Also they re taught
in classrooms and only sometimes taken into
nature for picnics or tours.

2.

The Kings sent their Princes to Gurus for

training. At the end of their training, the
disciples thanked their Gurus with a gift in
the form of gurudakshina which literally
means offering to the Guru.

Today all go to schools open for common public

there are no more many existent kings.
Leaving out a few exceptional schools and
families. Today its pay for education. Fees are
collected by institutions or schools or colleges
out of which salaries are paid to the teachers.
The holiness of the whole meaning of
gurudakshina is gone.

3.

SYLLABUS

4.

There was no fixed syllabus. The main

purpose of this learning was to preserve the
Vedas and guard them from non-Brahmins.
Besides religious texts, students in the
ancient universities learnt about Ayurveda
(Medicine),
Ganita
(Mathematics),
Arthashatra (Political Science), Jyotisha
(Astrology, Vykarna (Grammar), Shilpasana
Vidya (Art and Crafts), and Adyatma Vidya
(Philosophy).

Today for each grade there is a fixed syllabus.

Mostly concerning on material studies and
encompassing
mathematics,
medicine,
geography, history, economics, arts and crafts
and languages and literature which is all
introduced to the student in school and then left
on to the student to decide his own line of
interest and pursue it further. Further studies
are based on his grades and aptitude.

The main objective of education are the

development of personality of an individual,
building his outlook / character to help him
prepare to face the challenges of the life
ahead of him.

The main objective is to prepare the student ot

face the world in any circumstances and make
his living.

5.

Direct contact with teachers of noble yet

simple character create fruitful impressions
upon the students mind during his stay in
the gurukul.

Direct contact to teachers possible only for a

few hours after class. Except for what the
teacher teaches in class there is no other times
when a teacher can leave any other kind of
impression on the students mind.

6.

The tranquil atmosphere in the gurukul

certainly creates a beneficial affect on the
minds of the young students. Also ancient
traditions and culture can be well preserved
by imparting such education in the
gurukuls.

In modern times much time is diverted in

watching TV, parties and other such activities.
Also actual learning happens by the students
only in class or when he actually sits down, wit
his books to reach before his exams. In gurukul
the student devotes all his time and energy to
studies and other beneficial activities.

7.

ADMISSIONS:
Gurukul was never open to the majority of
masses. About 85 to 90 percent of
population was outside the pale of
Gurukuls. Only the 15 percent population
was being catered by Gurukuls.
Only the boys were admitted and not the
girls. There were no criteria for admission
apart from the caste and whims and fancies
of the teacher. Examples of denial of
admission to very meritorious candidates
on the basis of caste are seen.

8.

Admissions are open to all.

They sometimes happen based on certain score
in some entrance exams oron previously
passed examination grades, personal aptitude
of student and family backgrounds judged
through interviews.
Though there still exists only girls and only boys
schools.

TEACHERS
Propagations of Gurukul system seem to be
very sure that teachers selected were of
high caliber in knowledge and character.
Each and every person by virtue of being
born as a Brahmin had a inherent right to
be a teacher. Hew could open an ashram
and take pupils as and when he likes. And
he could give certificate of completion of
studies as and when he chooses.
He was not bound by any law of land nor
any conversion of teachers body.
Most of the gurukuls were single teacher
residential ones free from any royal or
academic control.

Selection of the teachers in each of the present

education institutes is done based on their
qualifications and no caste discrimination is
involved. Only in certain institutions teachers
reside in the campus or else only the principal
lives on campus all others live outside.