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.