Vedic Education characteristics and curriculum Edu-06 chapter-1

Main features of Vedic education

• No state control on education: Education was a private affairs of the people managed entirely by Brahmans. Ruler of the country had a very little directly to do with education.
• High status of teachers: Teachers were highly Honored even by kings.
• Residential school: Teachers and Students lived together.
• Medium of instruction was Sanskrit.
• Wide spread education of women.
• Ultimate aim of Education was Self-Realization.
• Immediate aim of education was Vocational.
• It provide Education to all.

Aims of Vedic Education

Ultimate aim of Education was Mukthi or Self-Realization.

Immediate aim of education was Vocational.

Development of personality.

Formation of Character.

Preservation and Transmission of Culture.

Stress on social Duties.

Realisation of Brahmin in this material world.

Curriculum

• The Vedas and Vedangas (Siksha,  Chhandas, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Kalpa and Jyothisha) constitute the core curriculum of Brahmin class.
• Archery, Horsemanship, Chariot race other arts of warfare were the special subject in the curriculum of Kshatriyas.
• Agriculture and Trade were the main subjects o vaisyas.
• Ayurveda, Bhutavidya etc were taught in accordance with the aptitude of the student.

Teacher-pupil relationship

• The teacher was the spiritual father of his students.
• The teacher was apparent surrogate , a facilitator of learning, exemplar and inspirer, friend and philosopher, moral educator, reformer character and personality builder, importer of knowledge and wisdom,most of all religious and spiritual guide.
• Every student was required to serve the teacher compulsory.

Method of instruction

1. Sravana -listening to the words of texts and uttering by the teacher.
2. Manana - is a process of deliberation /reflection of the topic taught.
3. Nididyasana - constant meditation on the self as described in those texts.

Method of teaching

• Lecture method
• Discussion and recitation
• Dialogue, seminars and Symposium

Important Ceremonies

1. Vidhyarabha - Learning of alphabets at the age of 5.
2. Upanayana - child become sikshya of guru
3. Upakarma - The Veda teaching begins with Upakarma..
4. Upasarjana - end of each years academic programme.
5. Samavarthana - end of students life in gurukula.

DRAVIDIAN EDUCATION Edu-06 Chapter-1

Introduction

   The people who inhabit the southern part of India, are generally known as Dravidians. They were small in stature and black in colour. They were cultured and peace loving set of people. They had a well structured society according to their won philosophy of life.

Social structure

• They were cultured and peace loving set of people. They had a well structured society according to their won philosophy of life.
• Priests and scholars occupied at the highest position in the social ladder.  They were most honored and respected people in the society.
• Farmers and artisans occupied in the second position in the social ladder. They were considered as the backbone of their society.
• warriors occupied in the third position. Their love of peace and life of harmony was exemplified by this attitude.

Literature

• Art and Literature flourished during this period. Poets, Scholars and women were honored. 
• Their language was PAZHANTHAMIL. Most of the Dravidian languages (Malayalam, Tamil, Tulu, Kannada, Telugu) were originated from Pazhanthamil.
• Ancient Tamil works during Dravidian period are Tolkappiyam, Pathittupathu, Akananooru, Purananooru, Cilappathikaram, Manimekalai etc.
• Anciant malayalam works during Dravidian period are Unni-achi-charitham, Unni-aadi-charitham, Unni-neeli-sandesham and Anandapuravarnanam.

Institutions serving scholastic functions

Prof. Vedamani Manuel classifies the ancient educational institutions under three heads

1. Institution serving Scholastic function (Pallikkoodam, Kidai, Salai)
2. Institution serving Social Function (Manram, Mandapan,Maadam, Arangu)
3. Abstract Social Institutions (Avai, Sabha, sangam)

Kudipallikkodams  

• Kudipallikkodams  were indigenous schools were the small children were taught the three R's. The 3 R's are reading, writing and arithmetic.
• Pupils joined the school at the age of five.
• The teachers were called Aasans or Vaadhyaars.

Kidai

• They were centers of Brahminical learning.
• Vedas were taught there through chanting.

Salai &  Role of Salai in Higher Education

• Salais were important educational institutions established and maintained in the surroundings of temples in southern part of India. 
• The Salai was a boarding School in which the Brahmin Youth got free boarding and lodging and underwent courses of instructions in the Vedas and other branches of Sanskrit learning.
• Salai offers specialized courses such as Philosophy, Grammar, Law, Geology etc.
• Salais aimed at the holistic development of students.
• Strict discipline were maintained in the Salai.
• There were also libraries attached to the temples with good collection of books.
• Kanthalloor Salai in Kerala were known as Nalanda of South.

Main features of Dravidian Education

• It was not well organised.
• Education was closely allied with religion.
• They give importance to their traditional jobs.
• They give importance to Physical Education by promoting Kalari, Kalarippayattu, Wrestling, Sword-fighting etc.