Open Learning Jan-June -2010 - An Awareness Magazine

eqDr Open f'k{kk Learning January-June tuojh&twu 2010
Importance of Education
A K Khanna
Backdrop
The history of education in India is very rich and
interesting. Ancient India had the tradition of
‘Gurukuls’. Under this system, students had to
live at the ‘Ashram’ (abode) of the teacher and
get education. This form of education was known
as ‘Guru-Shishya Paramapara’. The Gurukul was
the place where the students resided together as
equals, irrespective of their social standing. The
students learnt from the guru and also helped the
guru in his day-to-day life, including the carrying
out of mundane chores such as washing clothes,
cooking, etc. On completion of a shishya’s
(student's) study, the student offered a “guru
dakshina,” since a guru did not take fees. A guru
dakshina was the final offering from a student to
the guru before leaving the ashram.
In very early stages of civilisation, education was
imparted orally. Parents, elders, and priests taught
children the skills and roles they would need as
adults. These lessons eventually formed the moral
codes that governed their behaviour. Before the
invention of writing, story telling was the most
popular means of passing on the culture and
history from one generation to the next.
But after development of alphabets, it took the
form of written words. Palm leaves and barks of
trees were used for writing and providing
education and this, in turn, helped spread the
written literature. Temples and community centres
often took the role of schools.
Nalanda was one of the earliest universities giving
degrees to its graduates and providing facilities
for post graduate studies. Education was
widespread in the 18 th century and schools had
been set up in most regions of the country.
The history of education in India has evolved
from ancient times to Mughal period, from
British period to the post-independence era.
Many Commissions and Committees, plans
and policies have led to the development of
modern day education.
Before the advent of British in India, the education
system was managed by private institutions and
individuals. With introduction of the Wood’s
Dispatch of 1854 known as Magna Carta of Indian
Education, the whole scenario changed. The
present educational system of India is an
implantation of British rulers. The concept of
government-aided schools was started by the
British government who started giving funds to
indigenous schools in need of help.
Today, we have not only full time Private,
Government, Government-aided schools and
colleges both residential and day centres but also
a large number of open schools and colleges
providing education through distance mode in
various parts of the country. However, it is a sad
fact that in spite of best opportunities being made
Shri A.K. Khanna, Dy. Director (Retd.), 125, Madhuban, New Delhi-110092
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