Gurukul and Modern Education: Combining the Best of Both Worlds

India has always been flourishing when it comes to education. The glorious past of our country mentions several acclaimed scholars who were well-versed in the workings of the world. The modern learning scenario has surely progressed a lot from the ancient systems. But what if we told you of a learning system that merges the goodness of both the Gurukul and modern learning? Read on to find out!

The Gurukul System of Education in India

The Gurukul system dates back to ancient India, almost as early as 5000 BC, in the Vedic Age. The Gurkul system involved students staying with their teachers in hermitages, for years, training to develop themselves in various aspects, such as boosting their intellectual capacity, weaving wisdom in their minds, and training them in warfare, battle strategies and kingdom administration. 

In fact, the term Gurukul is derived from two Sanskrit words, wherein “guru” means teacher and “kula” means family or home. Gurukuls were rich in the following features:

• Teacher-Student Relationship: Better referred to as the “guru-shishya parampara”, the teacher-student relationship is of the utmost importance in a Gurukul setting. The teacher is treated with utmost reverence, next only to God and one’s parents. The teacher, too, regards his students as his children as he passes on all his learnings to them.
• Holistic Education: Gurukuls adhered to the holistic development of the students as it extended way beyond just academic development. As stated above, Gurukuls were aimed at transforming their students into able administrators of the state, equipped with several life skills and values.
• Personalised Learning: Gurkuls involve close interaction between the students and the teacher. As a result of this, the teacher is well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each student which enables him to bestow personalised attention on each of them, brushing them up on skills as and when necessary.
• Community Life: Students, as they spent their time in the Gurukul, were away from distractions or humdrum of life. They lived a disciplined life, interacting with fellow students from different backgrounds, building a sense of harmony and co-operation which would benefit them later in life as well.

Check Out: Learning Community in Education: Importance and Effectiveness

Education in Modern India

The modern system of India, as we know it today, has undergone several changes since the time Gurukuls reigned. No longer do students spend years at the teachers’ hermitage but are enrolled in schools and colleges for a fixed period of time, 5+3+3+4 years as per the NEP 2020.

Here are a few key features of the modern education system as is currently prevalent in India:

• Technology in Education: One of the boons of modernisation, technology is now employed to make learning more effective. Technological integration in the classroom gradually started with the introduction of audio-visual aids in the classroom and has now extended to online learning as well, allowing students to take the rein of learning in their own hands.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: There was a time when education had grown limited to just academic development. However, the modern system of education places emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, drawing the students’ attention to different aspects of life. This enables them to get acquainted with the vast field of opportunities available to them.
• Emphasis on Life Skills: This is one aspect that Gurukul and modern education have in common. The education system today encourages the development of crucial life skills like critical thinking and problem-solving, bestowing a sense of independence in students.
• Defined Curriculum: Schools in modern India adhere to curriculums that are aimed at ensuring the holistic development of students. These curriculums address the goals of learning, the coursework to be undertaken as well as the learning experiences that the students will achieve in a particular school year.

Read More | The Dilemma Around Choosing a Curriculum

Is it Possible to Merge the Gurukul and the Modern System of Education?

Well, yes, it is possible to obtain the best of both worlds. The Gurukul system, combined with the modern system of learning, brings the students a host of opportunities that cater to and enhance their educational experience. The combination of Gurukuls and modern education in India has led to the emergence of what is termed ‘Advanced Gurukuls’.

Jain International Residential School: Combining Gurukul and Modern Education in the Best Possible Way

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Recognised as one of the most dynamic, flourishing and ambitious co-educational boarding institutions in India, Jain International Residential School boasts of an efficient integration of ancient Gurukuls and modern learning. The exquisite school spread over 350 acres of land has a campus modelled on traditional Gurukul settings, fused with best-of-the-best modern infrastructure and learning aids. 

Here’s how this efficient integration makes JIRS stand out as one of the top boarding schools in India:

• Academic Advancement: The experienced and dedicated team of faculty at JIRS is focused on ensuring academic excellence. Personalised attention is given to each child. There is provision for expert coaching and guidance for those seeking to crack competitive exams like JEE, NET, SAT, CLAT, CET etc., along with career guidance from international experts.
• Global Exposure: Making use of effective modern technologies to aid in the learning process helps JIRS keep track of the latest academics aligning with global standards. This global exposure has proved very helpful to the JIRS students who have been accepted to various universities abroad.
• Holistic Development: JIRS recognises the crucial need for holistic development for students. Thus, learning, at JIRS, extends way beyond just textbook learning and forrays into several other dimensions that lend a hand to the emotional, mental, physical as well as social development of students.
• Emphasis on Sports: JIRS has a dedicated team when it comes to inculcating sports in education. The school’s specialised sports academy, called JASE, has over 40 highly skilled international trainers to guide students through more than 30 different sporting activities that the school offers. 
• Infrastructure and Environment: The school spreads over a location of more than 350 acres and is equipped with world-class infrastructural facilities. Further, JIRS is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET) in India which has thoroughly reviewed the residential school as completely secure.

Conclusion

When it comes to ensuring our little kids' future, we, as parents, want to keep no stone unturned. The combination of Gurukuls and modern education does exactly that- it combines the best of both worlds, providing only the best for the students. After all, what could be better than a system of learning which merges two of the best learning systems by keeping any of its shortcomings away?