A Brief History of Education in India: Vedic Culture to Education Under European Imperialism and Today’s Online Learning

There are two ways by which knowledge can be imbibed- from an able guru and through self-study.” 

– Rig Veda

We have evolved from a life of hunter-gatherer to a subject of complex civilizations- Humanity has been learning what it means to be a human for over a million years. But what we have learned in the past two hundred years seems to have changed the course of civilizations in a very short time- like never before in a million years of Homosapiens history.

Not so long ago in 1903, the Wright Brothers invented and flew the first Airplane- this was the first time ever in Human History, we could fly. But by 1969, within 66 years we conquered space and landed on the Moon. This is just one of the examples to show how much the knowledge spheres have changed and the unbelievable pace at which we have scientifically advanced in the past few hundred years.

A Brief History of Education

Education has been the key variable in developing our collective consciousness. It is universal for our existence and comes to us in many ways, but the essential idea is the exchange of knowledge. It could be a fisherman teaching his son how to fish and feed the family, or the head of a tribe teaching the young ones to hunt- there are many forms of education. But the process of a formal exchange of common knowledge in the society has changed and evolved along with us. What follows is the timeline of how education evolved in the Indian subcontinent.

Education in Vedic Culture of India ( c.1500 – c.500 BCE).

Towards the end of the glorious Indus Valley civilization, we have an emergence of new sources in India History. Vedas were written in this time period between the end of Indus Valley Civilisation and 600 BCE. Vedas are invaluable literary sources of this time period, even though we had literary sources from Indus Valley civilization we are yet to decipher their script to read them. Vedas are written in Sanskrit- a language mostly used by the Brahmin scholars of ancient times.  

Ashrama System of Vedic Times- the Four Stages of a Man’s Life

According to the Ashrama system of ancient times, a man’s life is divided into for time periods. Brahmacharya-the first stage is life as a student. Grihastha(householder), Vanaprastha(retired) and Sannyasa( renunciate) are the other three stages.

Through Brahmacharya, students focus on education and were required to live at Gurukul. Gurukuls are ancient day versions of today’s residential schools. Most of the knowledge transfer during Vedic times was through recitation and other oral traditions of learning. Writing on tree barks and palm leaves were a privilege only available to a few scholars. The Four Vedas talk of a set of rules on how to recite them and other general practices of teaching.

Famous Universities of Ancient India

Ancient Indian Universities were places of higher inquiry and learning. Many different schools of thoughts from Hinduism and Buddhism contributed to the advancement of scholars in the field of Linguistics, Literature, Polity, Medicine, Mathematics, and Philosophy. Nalanda University of The 5th century is known to attract scholars from different continents. Takshashila, Valabhi, Pushpagiri, and Vikramashila are some of the prominent universities of ancient India. These universities shaped the popular discourse and policies of the contemporary states.

Education Under European Imperialism and the White Man’s Burden 

The year 1600 A.D. is very significant in the History of the UK and India. The East India Company was founded and given the monopoly by the British Crown to conduct all trade-related activities with India and the Southeast Asia. This Company was directly responsible for occupying the Indian territories and eventually gaining political and economic control over entire India.

Charter Act of 1813- An Act of the British Parliament

British Parliament has passed the Charter Act of 1813 making the education in India a responsibility of the East India Company. The idea of White Man’s Burden was further popularised by Macaulay leading to the passing of English Education Act in 1835. In 1854 further changes were made following the recommendations of Woods Despatch. Education under British now turned to the west and the English language has conquered Indian universities.

Right to Education Act 2009- Education is a Fundamental Right in India

Eighty-Sixth Amendment Act of the Constitution made basic Education, a fundamental right of every child. Subsequent enactment of the Right to Education provides for free and compulsory education for every child between 6-14 years of age.

After Independence India started reviving the traditional knowledge neglected by the British and built many Universities with the assistance of statutory and constitutional bodies like UGC and Secondary Education boards like NCERT and CBSE. Following the onset of Globalisation introduced by Liberalisation and Privatisation- Indian education system has transformed to cater to the needs of global companies and citizens.

Draft National Education Policy of 2019

Rashtriya Shiksha Ayog is envisaged as the custodian of education In India. The new draft policy of education talks of an integrated and flexible school curriculum, integration of vocational and academic streams, effective governance through schools. The draft policy also proposed a change in traditional 10 +2 system of education to 5+3+3+4- which would have appropriate curriculum and pedagogical structure.

Today’s Online Learning

Education has a new medium in this 21st century through the Internet. With a huge surge in the usage of smartphones and mobile devices in the last decade, education on the Internet has become democratic. Now, information can be accessed at the touch of our screens. Anyone can learn anything from anywhere on the planet- the idea of online learning is transforming modern societies. In a world where you are in constant competition for survival, online learning allows you the necessary skill up-gradation with a simple search.

We have come a long way from reciting the hymns and writing on the tree bark and palm leaves. We are now in an age where information and knowledge travel faster than light and comes in many colors. We are yet to fully understand the consequences of this kind of learning and how it is going to change our lives. What we do know is that, with education going online with pandemics like COVID19, there is a need for policy-level adjustments that regulate and standardize the online learning practices. National Education Policy should take note of the practices of online education and bring in a structural framework for online educators and schools.

Vignan schools and colleges are institutions of great significance. We have proudly contributed to the socio-economic transformation of the region. We are also humble enough to know our role in the coming years and possess the required strength and motivation to keep doing what we have been doing- innovating education and making it inclusive for everyone. We have the support from the parents and the dedication from the faculty to overcome any hurdles before us and provide the best to our students.

Visit our website Vignan or Contact us at +91 97019 33455 for further details. Admissions are in progress. Visitour Facebook and Instagram pages to know more about how Vignan is adapting to the COVID19 crisis and online learning.

Send Enquiry

Please fill in the information below and one of our admission team members will reach out to you to answer your queries





    2022

    2019

    2018

    2017

    2016

    2015

    2014

    2012

    2022

    2019

    2018

    2017

    2016

    2014

    2012

    2017

    2016

    2015

    2014

    2018

    2017

    2016

    2017

    2016

    2022

    2022

    2022

    2018

    2017

    2016

    2015

    2019

    2018

    2017

    2015

    2018

    2017

    2015

    2022

    2019

    2018

    2017

    2022

    2019

    2018

    2015

    2022

    2018

    2016

    2022

    2019

    2018

    2016

    2015

    2022

    2019

    2018

    2017

    2016

    2022

    2017

    2016

    2022

    2021

    2022

    2019

    2018

    2014

    Vignan Prabodhananda Prashanti Niketan, Ghatkesar​

    Located on a 24 Acre lush green and magnificent landscape, Prabodhananda Prashanti Niketan, the first school of Vignan group, was launched in the year 1989. We are known to impart world-class education not only to foster academic excellence but also to develop child’s spiritual well-being.

    Our exclusively designed education structure promotes total development of the child’s personality combined with academic talents, sports, creativity and also leadership skills. Since its launch, it has been one of the emerging schools of Hyderabad!

    Features

    The specialty of our school is the Bangaru Kondalu; natural boulders. This is one of the unique features of natural rock formation almost 2,500 million years old available nowhere in the world, except in Hyderabad, India. Our campus is home for a diverse natural bio- habitat, serene and pollution free, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

    DAY AT VPPN:

    • Wake up at 4.45am
    • Early morning jogging at 5 am followed by milk and biscuits,
    • Breakfast at 7am.
    • Supervised morning study hours from7.30am
    • Edutaining assembly at 8.40am.
    • Instructional hours are from 9am to 4pm
    • Intermittent lunch break at 11.30am for juniors and 1pm for seniors.
    • Recreation/ games time from 4pm to 5.30 pm
    • Fresh up followed by regular Yoga and Meditation
    • Evening supervised study hours from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm for juniors &till 9pm for seniors.
    • Dinner at 7.30pm for juniors and 9pm for seniors
    • Preparation for next day, Prayer and go to bed.


    Sundays are full of fun and frolic- Team events, competitions, recreational activities like Drawing, Painting, Nature walk, Trekking, Picnics, Kitchen gardening etc make their stay joyful. “Parent is the first teacher and teacher are the second parent” …At VPPN Principal, Teachers as House masters and Mentors visit dorms every day to interact with students to foster a sense of bonding, attachment and belongingness. It creates a homely environment in school. Monthly PTMs (parent teacher meeting) enables Parents to review the Academic performance and over all development of their wards.

    Sports and courts: “Healthy mind in a healthy body”….is what we stand for. Sports are an excellent activity that help students in maintaining their mental and physical wellbeing. Our school encourages sports for both male and female students. We have an excellent infrastructure with vast playgrounds for throw ball, volleyball, basketball, hockey, football, swimming and tennis courts. We also have cricket pitches to help students play their favourite national game. Students are also trained for Indoor games like caroms’, chess, table tennis and martial arts like karate

    Coaches: All games and sports are monitored by proficient and rated coaches in the state. They train the students to participate in all levels of competitions .Students have proved their mettle by winning trophies and medals at the State level, National and International levels, bringing laurels to the school.

    Music & Dance: TrainedMusic and Dance teachers visit the school thrice a week to teach vocal music, classical and western dances.Students get trained to compete, participate and perform in all events and celebrations of the school.

    Literary Activities: We aim at Holistic development of the child. We at VPPN nurture the innate talents and hence motivate students to take part in literary competitions like Quiz, Elocution, Essay writing, Debates, Group discussions etc. This helps them to forego all phobia, inhibitions and confidently speak on the dias.

    Language Lab: We develop efficient communication skills through English language lab. It helps to improve their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and emerge as winners and leaders in the competitive world.

    Ghatkesar Hostel Facilities

    A/C & Non-A/C Dormitories

    Students from different parts of the country and abroad come to pursue education at our campus. Their needs and tastes differ. There is also a wide gap in cultures. To overcome this problem and to make them feel at home, our dorms are aesthetically designed, spacious, well maintained, and hygienic living conditions, separate for boys and girls with individual cupboards and cots provided.

    Maintenance

    The Geyser water heating system ensures a constant supply of hot water all through the year. Caring and understanding wardens, 24×7 medical facilities, weekly recreation like watching movies, etc. are provided. Central Water Purifying Plant always provides safe and purified drinking water to students.

    Food Quality

    Our chairman encourages us to provide healthy, nutritious and unlimited quantity of hygienic food to students. We give milk with Boost and biscuits in the morning after PT, variety Breakfast, lip smacking sumptuous food with varied menu for Lunch and dinner, and tasty Snacks at 4PM. We provide pure vegetarian food to our students.

    Dieticians and nutritionists in Vignan ensure that the food provided is nourishing and variety in the menu. We have highly experienced chefs and trained people to prepare a variety menu catering to the taste of the students, from all over the country. Wardens along with all teachers supervise the students in the mess. The dining facilities provided are hygienic and can accommodate a large number of students. We also offer seasonal fruits like banana, pineapple, orange, papaya, guava, watermelon along with desserts twice a week

    Parents are encouraged to taste the meals during their visit to see for themselves the quality of food provided.

    24 X 7 Medical- Facility

    In house nurse and visting doctor take care of health issues of students. They are taken to nearby hospital, In case of emergency.

    Dear Parents and Students,

    It is my pleasure to welcome you all to another exciting year at Vignan’s BoTree School. I am Lalit, the Vice Principal of our esteemed institution, and I am fortunate to be working with a dedicated and caring team of staff members, parents, and students.

    At Vignan’s BoTree School, we take pride in providing a well-rounded education to our students. We are constantly reviewing our curriculum and practices to ensure that we are following the latest trends and best practices, meeting regulations, and addressing the future needs of our students. We also place a strong emphasis on technology integration and introduce latest developments to them throughout the school year.

    Our school offers a variety of clubs, activities, sports, and musical ventures that allow our students to explore their interests and discover new ideas. We believe that extracurricular activities provide opportunities for our students to grow in a safe and nurturing environment, and we continually broaden our list of clubs and activities to include something that interests every student.

    Please take a moment to explore our school’s website and learn more about our academic programs, extracurricular activities, and our mission and values. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and challenging educational environment that prepares our students for a successful future.

    Thank you for choosing Vignan’s BoTree School as your partner in education.

    Sincerely,
    Lalit
    Vice-Principal, Vignan’s BoTree School, Nizampet

    Dear Parents and Students,

    Vignan is an amalgamation of experienced competent teachers, state-of-the-art, infrastructure and efficient administration. The school came into existence with the vision of creating a safe and supportive environment for its students – to provide an outstanding 360 degree education in character building, leadership, a perfect balance of academics, sports, artistic and social opportunities.

    We believe in inculcating in all our students strong humanitarian values like wisdom, compassion, courage, humility, integrity and reliability along with a set of wings which may carry them far and wide. All these activities have been seamlessly integrated with the school curriculum that fosters inquiry, research, analytical thinking and an ethical approach that becomes a lifetime habit.

    I am confident that the Vignan team will help in shaping a whole new generation of honest adults who are not only good human beings but also the best professionals who strive for excellence and which certainly makes Vignan the best place for your child.

    Our heartfelt gratitude to all our parents for choosing to entrust your child to us. We undertake to educationally empower our students and to equip them with global skills to face the challenges of the rapidly changing world. We welcome your active interest and involvement in the progress and activities of your child. We look forward to your continuous support.

    Looking forward to a successful year for your child and I wish the entire Vignan family, the very best in the new academic session.

    Sincerely,
    Smt P. Anitha
    Primary School Principal, Vignan’s BoTree School, Nizampet.