Reviving Traditional Indian Education: The Gurukul System
The quality of comprehensive education that was in vogue at the time was one of the innumerable factors that contributed to India’s prior prominence, in addition to its economic prowess, rich traditional and cultural legacy, and scientific and social advances. Philosophers and explorers from all across the world, including Portuguese and European explorers, have said much about and greatly valued the qualities of the Indians.
The distinctive Gurukul System of Education was among the most well-known conventions of the past. The phrase “gurukula” combines the terms “Guru”, which means teacher, and “Kula”, which means teacher’s residence. Therefore, the term “gurukula” refers to an educational setting where students and the guru live together with the intention of teaching and learning. Humanism, love, inclusion, self-learning, and critical thinking were among the qualities that were emphasized most. Practical courses were offered to cultivate intelligence and critical thinking skills. Daily tasks were also necessary, which encouraged mental development, confidence, self-control, intellect, and alertness.
The pupils, also known as shishyas, received training in a range of subjects. Yoga, meditation, cooking, pottery, archery, horseback riding, and other pursuits were taught to them in an effort to nurture them into the ideal person who was capable of sustaining themselves in whatever situation they encountered.
It strongly encouraged the pupils to live modest, austere lifestyles like their gurus. In addition to imparting knowledge to them in critical disciplines like physics, arithmetic, astronomy, and the physical and social sciences, they were also taught a broad range of subjects that helped shape their personalities and general character.
Education was greatly appreciated and treasured in the olden days. People felt privileged to have an education in this sacrosanct profession. It was thought to be a basic ability that every person should possess and was used to gauge a child’s overall development. For this reason, Gurukuls were constructed in an area of the natural world, separate from the residences of all the students. Through this, they learned independence and self-sufficiency—two crucial life skills. It was for this reason that everyone, regardless of social class or financial standing, was entitled to a free education.
The education system in the ancient Indian tradition was based on a system where students paid their Gurus in exchange for knowledge and advice, known as Guru Dakshina. This was done in exchange for the knowledge they had learned from their teachers, and students were expected to treat the Gurus with respect and humility, recognizing this as their way of life.
In order to improve inclusivity and intelligence, modern education must absorb and integrate some principles and practices from the Gurukul system. What the education system demands today is to include practical and applied subjects in the curriculum, rather than placing more emphasis on cramming bookish knowledge and facts, evaluating a student’s intelligence solely on the basis of their academic excellence, and teaching subjects regardless of their interests. As a result, the students will be able to flourish in their areas of interest and get closer to realizing their full potential.
Instead of establishing a competitive atmosphere, the Gurukul method may be applied as a value-based strategy that emphasizes a child’s individuality to create success in their profession, fosters excellent character, and lowers competitiveness.
In alignment with this philosophy, Pehchaan The Street School strives to incorporate a holistic approach into its teaching methods in order to further encourage our students’ general character and personality development. Our primary objective is to instill in them a creative perspective on life and the fundamental abilities needed to persevere through challenging circumstances and emerge victorious. In order to educate them into adept and competent individuals, our curriculum is structured to teach them fundamental subjects as well as inculcate in them the ideals of humanity.
Therefore, it is crucial that the Gurukul educational system impart certain fundamental but equally important teachings to the current educational system in order to generate not just literate but also educated and clever brains. A return to the Gurukul system will greatly enhance the development of exceptional intellect.
An ideal educational system will strike the ideal balance between Gurukul and contemporary learning.
