In the education space, we are gradually observing an era of rapid technological disruption. With this, the sector is witnessing an obsolescence of industrial-era pedagogical model which stood on foundations of information scarcity and rote learning.
India’s present education system carries deep historical
baggage. In 1835, British
introduced the English Education Act to increase focus on Western texts
to cultivate increasing number of administrative clerks for the East India
Company. This shift away from indigenous way of education, made rote
memorization a skill necessary for examinations and jobs. Post-independence,
India retained this rote-heavy, exam-oriented structure, reinforced by large
class sizes.
However, the intervention of AI has altered the educational
landscape. As AI ascends to perform cognitive tasks with superhuman speed and
accuracy, the need for students to memorize information has vanished. It has
become increasingly necessary that we recalibrate the methods of imparting
education. The answer to this does not lie in the future but exists in the ancient
past. This article tries to make an objective statement as to how the Gurukul
way of imparting education can help us to create individuals with sharper
intellect, critical thinking skills, leadership qualities, and foresight.
After the advent of the industrial revolution 5.0, The 2024
AI Index Report by Stanford University provided empirical evidence that AI has
not only matched but surpassed human baselines in the very tasks that form the
backbone of standardized academic assessment. This makes our traditional
education systems obsolete as a machine can learn and memorize multiple times
faster and better than humans. Additionally, The GPT 4 foundational model by
Open AI surpasses humans in visual reasoning, subject matter expertise,
comprehension and pattern-recognition.
The industry players have already forecasted that 30-60% of
the total jobs can be automated by 2030 with 2050 creating a foundation for a
global domination. The danger lies in the fact that education system continues
to train students for a world that will no longer exist by 2050. Educational
institutions have responded to ChatGPT not by reimagining the curriculum, but
by attempting to "cheat-proof" the old one. They ban devices by using
AI detection software, and returning to pen-and-paper exams. This is a
reactionary retreat. It ignores the reality that in the professional world,
these students will be expected to use AI. By banning the tool to
preserve the test, schools are actively de-skilling the next generation. The
risk is not merely that students are learning useless facts, but that
the process of learning itself is being bypassed. If the education
system does not pivot to assessing critical thinking and ethical
application, we risk creating a generation of individuals who can access
infinite intelligence but lack the wisdom to direct it.
The Gurukul system of education offered in ancient India
serves as a strong foundation to build individuals who are equipped with focus,
resilence and clarity to solve the pressing issues of the world. The framework
comprises of several elements that help cultivate capable and powerful
individuals.
Gurukula framework involves cultivation of wisdom (Viveka), emotional intelligence, and mentorship over transactional degree-seeking. Its core element was the guru-shishya relationship, a lifetime mentoring initiative which focussed on submission rather than mastery. The guru (who is the highest authority of the gurukul) would accommodate all students in his household would train them towards all sorts of chores. Students rose early (often around sunrise), cleaned themselves (e.g., Gangasnan), practiced yoga, recited mantras (such as Gayatri), and engaged in physical chores. This was a conscious effort to instil discipline, build sharp mental focus and keep their mind, body and emotion in a harmonious state. The overall construct was holistic that involved study of scriptures (Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavat Gita, and others) along with practical knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, Ayurveda (a medical science), warfare, grammar, arts, music to name a few. Students participated in household and community tasks (cooking, cleaning, fetching water, tending animals ) as integral parts to their stay at Gurukul. These chores were not peripheral but intended to build discipline, humility, and self-reliance. In some traditions, students practiced madhukari ( collecting simple food through alms) that acts as a lesson in gratitude and detachment. Instruction was mainly oral and progression depended on the understanding rather than examinations. The lessons were also tailor-made to fit each student’s mental capacity.
Overall, the system was geared to shift one’s identity to
connect to the larger community. It was created to help individuals attain
towards dharma (purpose), artha (wealth), kaam (pleasure) and moksha
(liberation). The system placed as much emphasis on character formation,
self-control, and ethical conduct as on the subject knowledge.
Keeping this in mind, what do current educational institutes
need to imbibe?
Fundamentally, they should recalibrate their view towards
considering learning as a life phase instead of a daily commute. This means
students do not go to school for few hours of learning but they consider
spending their vibrant youth in honing themselves.
Academics can consider development of National Index of Student Well-being which will serve as a yardstick to measure mentorship access, belongingness, and community service participation.Institutions need to incentivize students to accept seva/ service records and innovative projects alongside an entrance exam scores, reducing the pressure of high-stakes testing.
Within the classroom doors, adoption of the "Human AI
Human" (H-AI-H) framework supported by UNESCO can help drive maximum
student engagement which include following mechanism
Step 1 (Human): Inquiry and ethical framing
Step 2 (AI): Information retrieval, drafting, computation
Step 3 (Human): Reflection, judgment, and application
The impact of this model can be further scaled up by
breaking down schools of 2,000+ students into micro-communities to cement the
Guru-Shishya bond. This scaled up model can be replicated even across rural and
remote areas with an active participating from state and rural governments.
The ancient gurukul model with its strong emphasis on satya
(Truth), dharma (Purpose), and sangha (Community) was not about returning to
the old age. But it was a about drawing lessons from our past to create an
impactful roadmap towards a tech-heavy future.
All views expressed are personal and do not represent the opinions of the company I work for
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