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The importance of Gurukula system of education and its relevance to Higher education -with special reference to NEP 2020
Dr. Vidya . H .N.
Associate Professor
Department of History
Government Arts, Commerce & Post -Graduate College (Autonomous)
Hassan District – 573201, Karnataka state
Ph : 9448870802
Mail - vidyasridhara365@gmail.com
Abstract
The Gurukula system of education was an educational establishment for imparting knowledge to students in natural surroundings. This meant the disciples and the master lived together, learnt together, and experienced together. The Gurukula instilled the ideals of universal brotherhood, humanity and ethical values. Education in Gurukula was not just hypothetical; it was practical, pragmatic, and judicious. The relationship between teacher and the student was friendly and supportive. Each day and each minute the supervision and direction of the Guru was supporting the student. In the absence of parental supervision, the Guru played the dual role of a parent as well as a tutor. The Gurukula system of education inculcated the right ideals and right behaviour among the learners. The Gurukula enjoyed autonomy and was self sufficient in its resources. The New Education policy also envisages delivering all inclusive knowledge through multi disciplinary learning. But there are copious challenges in implementing the NEP 2020. Hence, a re-visiting the Gurukula model of education becomes necessary to surface the challenges posed by NEP 2020.
Keywords: Gurukula system , NEP 2020, Challenges , relevance
Introduction:
Concept of Gurukula- the Gurukula was an establishment for imparting learning to the students in a natural surrounding where the disciples and the master lived together, learnt together; experienced together. The Gurukula instilled the ideals of universal brotherhood, humanity and ethical values.
Subjects taught- The Gurukula were seats of higher learning, they offered a variety of subjects. All kinds of knowledge which would lead a student to lead a satisfactory life was transferred to the disciple which can be briefly listed as under
- Jyotishya shahstra or Astrology ,
- Khagola shahstra or Astronomy ,
- Vyakarana shahstra or Grammar,
- Bhasha shahstra or Linguistics,
- Ganitha shahstra or Mathematics,
- Loha shahstra or metallurgy ,
- Shilpa shahstra or Architecture
- Prani Vidya shahstra or animal care
The Methodology of learning - The methodology of teaching was unique and exclusive as Gurukula allowed the student to learn , to experience and to practice in a natural surroundings.
- Swayam Adhyayana-Self learning
- Vyakhyaana - adding definitions or Commentaries
- Niroopane- Broadening the conceptual ideology
- Charche - Group discussions
- Upasamhara- concluding his findings on a specified topic
Aptitudes gained in Gurukula system of learning - Students were tested with on spot tests by the Guru and this concluded their virtual learning abilities. Education was not hypothetical, it was practical, realistic, and rational. The Gurukula system of education gave support to theoretical and practical learning simultaneously. Besides Gurukula system of education allowed a pupil to acquire skills including
- Gaining Critical thinking skills
- Attaining Positive thinking skills
- Acquiring practical knowledge
- Development of complete personality development aptitude
- Developing ability to execute work with confidence
- Maintaining regularity in work and daily chores
- Professing sense of discipline
- Obtaining Intellect and mental power
- Achieving complete control over mind
Attributes of Gurukula system of learning- Gurukula system of
- Practical learning - The Vedic knowledge was based on imparting practical education instead of theoretical knowledge. A student was acclimatised to Gurukula system of education in a younger age where practical knowledge was specified to students. This system was applied knowledge that prepared the students in all fields of life. The learning was blended with learning and practical learning. These activities supported virtues like Self confidence, personality building, courage, individual thinking and team working. Each Student in the Gurukula learn the concepts clearly , memorized it , researched about the theoretical argumentations, prepared supplementary reference materials and put forth his conclusions. They searched for resources, debated and pronounced their point of view with confidence. They achieved absolute ideas about the concepts they were taught. These attributes learnt during Brahmacharya motivated them to tread righteous path all through Grihasthashrama , Vanaprasthaashrama and Sanyasaashrama.
- The teacher disciple relationship- the relationship between teacher and the student was friendly and supportive in a Gurukula. The teacher inculcated the sentiments of security and concern. The proximity of the teacher was a plus point in Gurukula system. A Guru was always there near the student assisting him, guiding him, leading him. The student lived with the Guru , helped him in the daily chores, studied with the Guru and learnt along with guru. Each day and each minute the supervision and direction of the Guru was supporting the student. In the absence of the parental supervision, the Guru played the dual role of the parent as well as a teacher. The parents also completely entrusted the care of the children to the guru and never interfered with the learning process of the child in the Gurukula .
- The companionable and appealing guru- The guru in a Gurukula was like a companion, friend, and an escort. He was aiding his disciples through right and wrong , giving practical tests for deciphering virtues and vices through problem solving tests, realistic experiments, sensible verbal argumentation sessions, etc. All these supported a student to consider, analyse , examine and evaluate things perfectly & absolutely. A student learnt to handle complex situations, rationalize his actions , validate his decisions, and collaborate his life choices throughout all odds. The path of truth, the path of morality, the path of righteousness opened him innumerable access to live a life of truthful living.
- Perfect combination of academics and co-curricular activities- The Gurukula system was a perfect blend of academics and co curricular activities. Lessons were blended perfectly with physical activities. A student visited forests, wilderness, marine treasure, and nature’s repositories. He closely watched the animal life & plant life, understood the flora and fauna, learnt about the close association of human existence with nature. He walked miles along with his guru to understand the laws of natural world. Thus, the Gurukula system of education inculcated right ideals and right behaviour among the learners.
The New Education Policy 2020
The New Education Policy 2020 also aims to deliver the ideology as evinced by Government of India. The New Education Policy also aims to build a futuristic India with greater learning models. The Government of India passed the NEP 2020 in August 2020, which was first billed in 1986. Now, it is completely upgraded and revised and approved on July 29th 2021. It is considered as a huge milestone in Indian education system. The NEP 2020 brings a range of changes in the system of higher education aiming to improve it with the goal of creation of greater opportunities for individual employment.
- Emphasis to multi-disciplinary learning -Creating an Higher Education Institution ( HEIs) system consisting of large multi-disciplinary universities and colleges with at least one in near every district and more HEIs across India which offer their programmes in local and in all Indian languages.
- Creating Relaxed learning opportunities- shifting from a rigid Higher Education curriculum to Multi disciplinary universities and colleges with at least one in near every district and more HEIs across India offer their programmes in local and Indian languages
- Strengthening the fundamental infrastructure- Offering full teaching faculty to each HEIs and strengthening the fundamental infrastructure.
- Providing institutional autonomy - Providing institutional autonomy to Higher Education make HEIs garner subject diversity and adhere to multidisciplinary learning.
- Pedagogy Assessment -Revamping the Higher Education curriculum pedagogy assessment and student support for enhanced student experiences
- Reaffirming institutional leadership - Reaffirming the integrity of faculty and institutional leadership positions through merit appointments and career progression based on teaching research and service.
- Research Funding -Establishing National Research Foundation (NRF) to fund brightest peer reviewer research and to actively seed research in universities and colleges.
- Academic And Administrative Autonomy - Improved governance of HEIs by highly qualified , independent Higher Education Governing bodies and boards which comprise academic and administrative autonomy.
- Single regulatory system- Light but tight Higher Education regulation by a single regulator for higher education is designed by NEP.
- Measures to increase equity- Giving increased access to Higher Education through equity and inclusion.
- Scholarships to underprivileged- Arranging for measures offering scholarships by private philanthropic universities for disadvantaged and under privileged students.
The challenges - Several attributes which are envisioned for Higher Education sector through NEP 2020 may not be realized because there are several challenges.
- Fragmented higher education eco system
- Unequal learning outcomes
- Asymmetrical development of cognitive skills of students
- Rigid and inflexible separation of disciplines an arts stream student cannot study science subject
- Lack of offering quality higher education in socio-economically challenged areas
- modest teacher and institutional autonomy to innovate and excel.
- Inadequate career management and progression for faculty institutional leaders.
- Lack of research funding across disciplines which hinder research activity.
- Sub optimal governance and leaderships of HEIs.
- Poor regulatory mechanism that inhibits growth of excellent and innovative HEIs.
- Large number of affiliations to universities resulting in poor undergraduate performance.
Establishment of Board Of Governors- For each HEIs there will be a Board Of Governors (BoG) consisting of highly qualified competent and dedicated individuals with proven capabilities and commitment to the institution.
Establishment Of NHERA – For each HEIs National higher education regulatory authority will be set up to regulate and facilitate for bringing financial integrity good governance and full online and offline public disclosure of finances procedures faculty staff courses and education outcomes.
Establishment Of NAA- For each HEI, the National Accreditation Authority will be tasked to provide accreditation to HEIs and in the long run it will become a binary process as in the global practice.
Establishment Of GEC- For each HEIs shall be set up to frame expected learning outcomes for HE programmes also known as graduate attributes.
Establishment of NHEQF - For each HEIs will be formulated by the GEC and will be sync with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) higher education qualifications leading to a degree diploma certificate will be described by the NHEQF in terms of such learning outcomes. In addition, the GEC will be set up facilitate norms for issues such as credit transfer , equivalence etc through NHEQF.
In a nutshell, the goal of NEP 2020 is to constructively increase the Gross enrolment Ratio in higher education including vocational educational to 50 percent by 2035 presently from 26.3 percent (2018). NEP 2020 will replace the fragmented nature of existing Indian higher education system and instead bring together higher education institutions into large multidisciplinary universities colleges , clusters and knowledge hubs.
Conclusion
Thus, the goal of NEP is to constructively increase the Gross enrolment Ratio & replace the fragmented nature of existing higher education system. It aims to bring together higher education institutions into large multidisciplinary universities colleges and HEOs clusters knowledge hubs. The policy states that single stream HEIs will be phased out over time. But, applying the quintessence of Gurukula system which toned and polished the learning capabilities of each student constructively is the need of the hour. The Vedic type of education was aimed to build a holistic student enriched with ethical values and inclusive knowledge.
References:
- Agarwal D D – History and Development Of Elementary Education in India, Vol 3 , 2012
- Salient features of NEP 2020- ugc.ac.in Official website 2021
- Shubra Jyotsna Aital- Analysis of NEP 2020 , July 2021
