LESSONS BEYOND BOOKS

Making school subjects easy, fun, and creative are a few teachers from the state. Following Teacher's Day, we talk to four educators from private, government, and international institutions

- SONU M KOTHARI

For centuries, we have had an indigenous education system in Gurukuls, where worldly knowledge and life lessons were imparted at an individual level. Here, a tailor-made approach to education was followed by combining academic learning and personalized guidance. Gurus like Dronacharya, after whom we have a National award, and Shah Waliullah, who advocated for a balanced approach—blending Islamic scriptures and scientific studies—worked towards holistic growth. This was the norm for decades.

In 1835, Lord Macaulay played a pivotal role in the foundation of the "modern, English-based education" system in India. His 'Minute on Indian Education' urged English language, Western science, and literature to be learnt by the people of the subcontinent they ruled. This move from the British was to supply their Government with English-educated "Indian servants".

Though the purpose was different, notable figures like Savitribai Phule, the first female teacher in India, Fatima Sheikh, the first Muslim woman teacher, Gijubhai Badheka, who introduced Montessori to the Indian education system, and many others, were pioneers who revolutionized our education system.