Challenges :::: Education now 'Just' for the Self and at best for the Family ::::: 'Education for Society' got evaporated

In November 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Western education's influence, attributing it to Thomas Babington Macaulay's 1835 Minute on Education. 

Macaulay - according to many experts and his own words -- aimed to create Indians "English in mind".

We may debate that the Indians including the likes of Swami Vivekananda and Hrishi Aurobindo adopted the language but retained own religious and their cultural values and identities. 

But it is also true that over the years Education (rather the post-1947 Education policy) threw up a few significant negative traits. One of them is alleged Commercialisation. 

Suddenly - Education got splintered between rich, middle class, neo-middle and poor. Lack of infrastructure became a key pointer. The unequal availability of technology was especially experienced during Covid19.  

There was also geographical divisions.  

Education became Just for the Self and at best for the Family. 

'Education for Society' or the Nation and the larger human race got evaporated  

The Gurukul education system is an ancient Indian residential schooling method where students (shishyas) lived with their teacher (Guru) in a natural, secluded environment to receive holistic education. Originating in the Vedic period, it focused on man-making, academic learning, spiritual growth, discipline, and practical skill development.  

In 'Mahabharat', Dronacharya did not campaign that he would make everyone Arjun.

In fact, all five Pandavas picked up five specialised art of battles and so did 'even insincere and highly egoistic' student Duryadhan.  

Other pointers - crucial - but lacking in modern education system.  

Perhaps - multiple challenges faced by Gen Z ... would not have existed ever if the Gurukul approach was cherished and practiced in all sincerity.

In the Gurukul worldview, learning was never pursued as an end in itself. Education was understood as preparation for service. A student was expected to grow not only in knowledge but also in responsibility towards family, society, and ultimately the nation. Learning carried an ethical weight; it demanded accountability.

-- One : The bond between teacher and student extended far beyond the years of learning. 

'Completion of study' in today's world -- means you may forget your teachers permanently.

In Gurukul style, Education and end of the syllabus did not mean distance from the guru. 

It actually heralded a new beginning of lifelong remembrance with gratitude. 

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Post initiatives taken by the Modi Govt vis-a-vis the New Education Policy (NEP) --- the Indian educational system now stands at a stage of transition and of course a decisive stage.  

@@ The focus may now have to move from basic literacy (simple academics) to a system that will boost skills based on critical thinking.  

** In more ways than one -- The Mission 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 will depend on the success of the NEP. 

** By what has been given out -- the NEP has recommended a flexible curriculum and reduced rote memorization.

There is stress to promote critical thinking skills. 

Mother tongue is to be the medium of instruction till grade V. (This may deserve closer scrutiny) 

The higher education pushes for developing/encouraging Research, Innovation and Best practices. 

(On this too, critical areas remain. Indians have bad habits of making false claims. It starts with the neighbourhood uncles in Delhi and north India -- when he shows cousin's bungalow and shows as his own.)

This happened with a university at the AI Summit. Basically, we have to do away with these national characteristics.  

 

 Getting back to basics - The Gurukul --  

Respect or even Achievements in the Gurukul tradition were not snatched or 'achieved' by hook or crook. Submission before a learned Guru was 

not fear-based. 

It was cultivated through daily practice: listening attentively, serving willingly, questioning respectfully.

Hard work was encouraged and the parents (even Kings like Dhritarashtra) did not try to influence how and what the Guru will teach.

In other words -- Humility was a strength refined ... and never weakness. 

In modern times we have situations which are never healthy for good and sound education. 

Teachers carry heavy academic and administrative workloads. Their jobs and transfers decided by political influence including the bribe to get 'home postings' in states such as Tripura, Assam, Nagaland and certainly many others. 

Teachers also work without adequate institutional support and at times not even social respect. 

At the same time, students move through an environment shaped by competitions and worse the fear of scoring low marks and failures. 

 

The New education system should be universal and focused on Talent. But it must provide special support for marginalized groups, girls and disabled persons.

No caste and Relgion based 'preference' tools must be pushed. Then the outcome will be again what we have done and undone to ourselves in the last few decades. 

Some of the problems, India faces vis-a-vis Education and in Man(woman)-making is not merely academic.  

Gen Z matters: 

Every generation of mankind (including woman) reflects the values and educational culture it inherits. 

Hence the easy route of placing the burden of blame on the new generation would be both unfair and erroneous.

Young people have not given up Values and Virtues from birth or on their own.

If they have applied choice ... they have only respond to what the elders have mirrored for them.

The 'rotten' and corrupt structures -- knowingly and unknowingly we encouraged.

There have been pressures, and pathetically bad 'role models' as examples. 

ends