I came across a tweet on incredulity about Modi saying that ancient Indian education system was excellent as compared to western education. I did not understand the outrage behind this comment so started to think about it. The tweeter seemed to imply that Western (i.e. US) education system was much better and Modi was somehow wrong in saying that ancient Gurukul system was match or even better than current western education.
Without knowing too much, i will hazard the guess that the said tweeter is US educated and thinks that his education is the best. Fair enough for me. After all, everybody's mother is most beautiful for them.
I did start to think though. I have been educated in western education system, all through my life. And i do not believe that western education system is the best ever. It is good for sure as it has contributed a lot to human development. At the same time, if i look at the basics of the ancient indian gurukal system, it seems to be excellent too.
If i look at ancient gurukul system, the system worked on all students living together and learning at equal footing. The teachers were dedicated to education and supported by the wealthy people and royalty. The students learned the theory and at the same time, they learned trade by actually doing it. They lived communally and learned to contribute to society.
This was excellent system and helped India be the premier nation for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The overall society did fail to stop the Muslim invaders and then got skipped in the industrial revolution there by allowing England to rule India for hundreds of years. And these facts have somehow made the nation feel as if the victors have best of everything. I think this view needs to be rethought. There is glorious tradition that is Indian and as Indians, we should think of how to revert to the roots, albeit incorporating modern knowledge.
Some people will say that Indian systems sucked because it perpetuated caste system. Irrefutably this is a major blot on the system. At the same time, Western education system did discriminate against african americans for hundreds of years. How is this different? I agree that way in which Gurukul worked was not perfect but the western education has not been perfect either. Western education has evolved and so can indian system.
And if India ever has to achieve greatness again, it will have to marry the ancient with the modern. Trying to copy western model will not work and sooner we as nation realize this, we will get on right path.
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