By Savya Atrey

Abstract

India’s academic landscape has experienced a significant transformation in recent years. This article highlights key trends and drivers of change in the Indian education system. It aims to discuss the evolving nature of education in India, and the need to move towards a more flexible, inclusive, and skill-focused model, which is better aligned with the demands of the 21st-century world.

Introduction

India has enjoyed a long and distinguished history as a global hub of education. This recognition was especially prevalent during the ancient and mediaeval eras. India was the centre of knowledge and intellectual thinking throughout the Vedic period and some of the world’s first religious and philosophical writings, the Vedic scriptures, were written here. Once a leader in higher education with globally sought-after universities like Nalanda and Takshashila, India’s rapidly developing world-class university system positions it to once again become a global educational centre. This article, however, does not aim to compare the logistics and statistics of development of then versus now, rather, it delves into the characteristic differences between ancient and contemporary teaching methods. It also examines the subsequent academic backlog suffered by India during its educational transformation and proposes methodologies inspired by ancient literature to address it. The article essentially lays out the developmental perspective of modern teaching methods within the context of ancient and mediaeval education. 

Education Before 

Lacking a complex economic and political framework, the societal structure of ancient India was simple. People lived simple lives and the objective of education was to cultivate ethical traits in children and build character by focusing on truthfulness, discipline, humility, respect and self-reliance. Students received their schooling either in forests, gurukuls or ashrams that always provided a pleasant and silent atmosphere for learning. Teachings followed the tenets of the Vedas, Brahmanas, Upanishads and Dharmasutras. In order to include all facets of life, students were taught to respect the harmony between humans and nature while performing their obligations to themselves, their families, and society. Educational resources came from a variety of disciplines, including Varta (agricultural and commerce), Itihas (history), Anviksiki (logic), Arthashastra (polity), and Dhanurvidya (archery), indicating the emphasis of the ancient education system on academic, spiritual and physical development.

There was no interference from the people in curriculum development, indicating how highly valued teachers were considered at the time.  Knowledge was considered sacred, and teachers were seen as conduits of this knowledge. Consequently, they were given a great deal of autonomy in developing their curricula and tailoring their teaching to the individual needs of their students. The lack of intercession is a reflection of the idea that education was a personal concern between the student and the teacher. Students often left their homes to live with their gurus for the duration of their studies, this allowed them to devote themselves fully to their education, and to develop a close relationship with their teacher. The sacrosanct value of knowledge and teachers during this period also led to a strong tradition of philanthropy in education. While students received their education mostly free of cost, wealthy individuals and families often donated generously to support institutions and teachers. This philanthropy helped to ensure that all students had access to quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Since the emphasis was on holistic training, people in ancient times were more adept at handling the circumstances of their situations, as their education ‌had a flexible and personalised approach where practical knowledge was valued more highly than academic understanding.

The Vedic Period 

India saw significant intellectual and spiritual advancement throughout the Vedic era. Education was not rigorous or focused on rote memorization; rather than forcing knowledge upon students, it placed more of an emphasis on ingraining it in their minds through discussions and storytelling. They were not pressured to learn in a certain way but were encouraged to listen and engage in conversation with their teachers to dive deep into the concepts being taught. Women played a vital role in this era; there is evidence to suggest that a significant number of women in the Vedic period received a general literary and cultural education. This is supported by the fact that they were expected to be proficient in the Vedas and learn about other subjects, such as music, dance, and philosophy. Women from all economic backgrounds had access to education during the Vedic era, they participated in religious ceremonies, composed hymns and poetry and played a role in developing and improving educational practices. The positive impact of women’s education on society in the Vedic period can be seen in the high standards of morality and ethics that prevailed during this time. 

Transformation in the Education System 

The first change in Indian education came with India’s invasion by Mughal rulers. They introduced new customs and civilizations, and the educational system mainly emphasised Islamic and Mughal teachings – the structures, institutions and beliefs of which were far removed from the Buddhist and Hindu education systems. In addition to focusing mostly on secular and theological themes, mediaeval education also included history, geography, philosophy, Vedanta, Patanjali, and astrology. 

The Industrial Revolution, which brought forth new discoveries, scientific advancements, and technical developments, ushered in a period of profound change. The British government’s policies and actions during its rule in India established the basic structure and principles of the higher education system that would be used in the 20th century and beyond. Post-independence era saw the establishment of universities to ensure quality education in India. 

Modern Education

The transformation of academic learning in India is a complex and ongoing process that is being driven by a number of factors, including technological advancements, globalisation, and the changing needs of the workforce. The benefits and drawbacks of contemporary schooling are manifold but it is important to note that these advantages and disadvantages are not mutually exclusive. Today, government policies support equal access to education for all students, regardless of gender, as a key component of modern education whereas in the past there was a strong emphasis on educating girls, which started to fade in the later Vedic era due to ideological shifts in societal behaviour. The shift in societal norms came in many forms; the education system took a patriarchal approach and women’s roles were seen as merely domestic. This was a culmination of socio-cultural and religious factors that barred women from practising rituals and mantras. Rig-Vedic ideals were destroyed when caste started to infringe on the right to education, preventing lower caste children from studying in ashrams and gurukuls alongside men from upper castes. 

Nowadays, there is more emphasis placed on teaching traits that are more “industry-oriented” where the focus lies on making money rather than on instilling cultural sophistication and morality. Although technology has greatly improved education, it may also cause social anxiety, addiction, and sleep deprivation. Our attention spans have also been severely impacted, such that students often lose focus and resort to using their phones and laptops during lectures; this has also worsened student-teacher relations. Technology has made high-quality education accessible to students all over the world. But at the same time, modern education is becoming increasingly expensive, especially for higher education purposes, making it difficult for low-income students to access the education they need.

Is One Better than the Other?

Essentially, we can’t definitively say which method was a “better” method of teaching, rather we can identify the shortcomings of past eras and determine what we can use to improve the educational system we have now. One of the most critical shortcomings of the modern era in education is the capitalist mindset that has been instilled in students from a very young age. This mindset prioritises economic growth and profit over all else, often at the expense of the environment. Students are not taught how to coexist peacefully with nature, and they grow up to contribute to environmental destruction. Capitalist thinking manifests in education in a number of ways. One is by emphasising competitiveness where students constantly being pitted against each other breeds conceit and a lack of empathy for others. The manifestation of capitalism is also through the emphasis on consumerism which fosters a wasteful culture and a disregard for how our spending habits impact the environment. The shortcomings of the capitalist mindset in education are evident in the current environmental crisis – climate change, pollution, and resource depletion are all major threats to the planet, and they are all directly or indirectly linked to our economic system. If we want to create a more sustainable future, we need to start by transforming our education system. Students need to learn about the importance of environmental stewardship and help in creating a more sustainable and cooperative economic system. 

In recent years the country has witnessed a shift towards a more holistic and learner-centric approach, fueled by several factors, including technological developments, government initiatives, and a growing emphasis on skill development and practical knowledge. This is in tune with the National Education Policy 2020 which has set the stage for fundamental reforms, emphasising critical thinking, creativity, and multidisciplinary learning. While challenges such as educational inequality and infrastructural limitations persist, the evolving academic landscape in India reflects a promising journey towards a more progressive and globally competitive education system. Perhaps there are a few ancient teachings that we can adopt to help reach this goal faster; where we can make schools more sustainable by adopting energy-efficient appliances and reducing waste production. The need of the hour is to focus on a student’s character development by emphasising the value of fostering relationships that instil a sense of social responsibility and service. Students need emotional literacy to manage the demands of a competitive world while balancing their physical and mental health. There is a need to allocate resources towards providing teachers with training to stay abreast of contemporary pedagogical approaches and to hone their classroom management skills to improve upon student-teacher relations that can boost learning outcomes for children. To better prepare for the demands of adulthood, they must learn practical life skills like financial literacy, time management, and communication skills and be prepared to adjust to a world that is rapidly changing. 

Overall, the transformation needed in modern education is about preparing students not just for academic success but also for life in a complex, interconnected, and rapidly changing world. It ought to provide students the ability to think critically, adjust to changing circumstances, and grow into responsible, compassionate, and active global citizens. 

Author’s Bio

Savya Atrey is a third-year student at Jindal School of Government and Public Policy at O.P. Jindal Global University pursuing Economics Hons. 

Image Source: Alexandre Van Thuan