LEARNINGS FROM ANCIENT INDIAN EDUCATION

This presentation was prepared by Vandana Upadhyaya, M Ed 2007-08
“BEST PRACTICES: LEARNING FROM ANCIENT INDIAN EDUCATION”
ANCIENT INDIAN EDUCATION
•Rich tradition of learning & education.
•Education imparted orally.
•Institutional form of imparting learning came into existence.
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN ANCIENT TIME
•First system was Guru-Shishya system.
•The first lesson taught to student was the performance of Sandhya & reciting of Gayatri mantra.
•Training of mind & process of thinking are essential for acquisition of knowledge.
•3 simple processes: Sravana, Manana, Niddhyasana

•Special institution for the promotion of study & research.
•Nalanda & Taxila were the best university at that time.
•Institution imparting vedic knowledge that exist even today.

HOLISTIC VIEW
•Holistic education facilitates the students understanding of the meaning & purpose of life
•Its aim is to call forth from students a passionate love for learning.

PLACE OF TEACHER
•A teacher was seen as a friend ,a mentor , a facilitator and an experienced person.
•Co-operation was the norm rather than competition.
•Gurukul system of education was the best example of quality management in education.
•Gurus decided the curriculum.
•Gurus choose the student on the basis of learning potential.
•More emphasis on discipline.
•Transfer the gurukul tradition to the early Indian university such as Nalanda & Taxila.

BEST PRACTICES: LEARNING FROM ANCIENT INDIAN EDUCATION (AIE)
•To make the student fit to become a pious member of society
AIMS
•its aimed at helping the individual to grow in the power and force.
•To creating a mind to both scientific and spiritual.
•To develop a mind which is rational, flexible and open to change.
•To character formation through proper development of moral feeling.
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
focused on building a disciplined and value based culture
.It tried to inculcate in student the following qualities:
-social consciousness based on love for the humanity.
-character, honesty based on moral law.
-Discipline based on the sense of duties and responsibilities of an individual
•Prompted the students to utilize their educational attainments and capacities to benefit of the society.
STATUS OF WOMEN
•Women were admitted at the highest knowledge.
•Equality between the sexes.
CONCLUSION
•The aim of this article is to capture the wisdom of the ages and to make it relevant in present times.
•To help the educator to come up with innovative methodologies.
•Ancient Indian cultural provides an effective approach.
•The goals of educational philosophy for tomorrow should be:
-To educate students so that they are able to develop a holistic personality
-To inculcate a love for nature and respect for all forms of life.