Editorial on the significance of the Gurukul system of Vedic education:

The Gurukul way

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,” Nelson Mandela said wisely.

• But in India, education falls into the trap of commodification and commercialization.
• Education today has been reduced to a mind-boggling quest to get grades, crack exams and obsess about acquiring and displaying degrees.
• This profoundly hierarchical and biased education system should be imbued with a few good elements of the Gurukul education system.

A brief on Gurukul’s education system:

• This system is based on Guru Shishya parampara, where a link between a guru and a shishya is given a sacred place.
•  In this system, students lived with their teacher (Guru) for a period of time (mainly adolescence).
•  Various subjects were taught in Gurukul, including health sciences, mathematics, religion, ethics, certain practical professions (according to Gurukul), etc.
•  Students followed the routine with the greatest care and commitment. (For example, getting up early every morning).

What values can be imbibed for today’s generation or system?

• Respect for Elders/Teachers- Gurukul’s entire institution was centred around respect and devotion to the Guru. Following the teachings of the Guru and giving it due attention was therefore the characteristic feature of Indian education.
• Discipline – students had to follow the teacher’s directions with no sign of rebellion. Time-limited assignments and a tight schedule prepared an army of disciplined students in ancient times.
• Avoidance of the comfort zone by students was the cardinal point here as it prepared students for the challenges of life.
• Away from the pampering by the parents, the emotional intelligence was honed In the right way here.
• (Young people today are drowning in excessively addictive habits such as video games, e.g. PUB G, social media, etc.). It can help guide young people today who are in desperate need of guidance.
• Humility – seeking education in a simple setting with a modest level of comfort enhances humility. Even children of wealthy people used to study here.
• (Krishna – Friendship Sudama shows humility because it shows friendship link transcending all barriers).
•  Fellowship / Fraternity – living together, eating together, working together, etc. builds an eternal spirit of brotherhood that is good for society.
• Social Capital increases the level of trust in society.
• In addition, the bonds forged during childhood develop over the longer term.

Yes, the Gurukul system was not beyond the institutions of the caste system, gender prejudice and other crippling and subtle hierarchies prevailing within the society.

Besides, the advent of modern technology, especially Information Technology and its various aspects such as Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, Quantum science, etc. have made sea changes in all the aspects of society including the Education.

But, the ethical foundation always remains the same as an Educational institution seeks to nurture a nursery of students where ethics such as humanism, philanthropy, its values are held in supreme position.

Not only policymakers, but also parents, teachers and other stakeholders can be inspired by this and try to assimilate the values of the Gurukul system. To nurture the soul, mind and awareness of an individual, the learnings of the Gurukul system can bode well for our future generations.

Main Question (Answer in Comment Section)

Q: Suggest ways of improving the current education system.

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