What is today's education?

Traditional Education System versus Modern Education System: A reference to the Indian Education system

 Introduction

 Education is the imparting and acquiring of knowledge through teaching and learning, especially at a school or similar institution. The earliest educational processes involved sharing information about gathering food and providing shelter; making weapons and other tools; learning a language; and acquiring the values, behavior, and religious rites or practices of a given culture. Before the invention of reading and writing, people lived in an environment in which they struggled to survive against natural forces, animals, and other humans. To survive, preliterate people developed skills that grew into cultural and educational patterns.

 Education developed from the human struggle for survival and enlightenment. It may be formal or informal. Informal education refers to the general social process by which human beings acquire the knowledge and skills needed to function in their culture. Formal education refers to the process by which teachers instruct students in courses of study within institutions.

 Traditional Education

  It is also called customary education or conventional education. The main motive of traditional education is to pass on the values, manners skills, and social practices to the next generation which is necessary for their survival. In traditional education, the student learns about the customs and traditions of the society in which he lives. This type of education is mostly imparted to the students by the means of oral recitation.

 There is very less written work or practical work. The students simply sit down together and listen to the teacher or another, who will recite the lesson. The traditional does not include written tests, but it includes some oral tests which are not very formal. Traditional education is very far from the use of science and technology. Neither the education about sciences we study today in great detail is imparted in the traditional education system. The traditional education system included knowledge about customs, traditions, and religions. That is why it is called traditional education. 

Modern Education

  It is very different from traditional education. The education which is taught in schools today is modern education. Modern education teaches about the skills required today, that is the skills of science and technology, the science of medical science, etc. In addition to listening, modern education includes writing, visualizing, imagining, and thinking skills. This type of education also includes written tests to examine if the students are learning properly or not. This is done in a very formal way. The methodology used for teaching is very interactive. Modern education is just an evolution of traditional education which was imparted to students a few years back.

 Traditional Education vs. Modern Education

 Traditional and modern education are both related to each other and different from each other also. In the early history of our country, there was a time when there were no schools. The children acquired education or knowledge from their ancestors. At that time, this knowledge focused only on the skills required for survival. The people who lived in jungles got the education from their ancestors who taught them how to hunt animals for their food, how to use animal skins for different purposes, and how to make tools. They were taught about their rituals or the customs they followed. They were taught about the religions that followed.

 They taught them the stories of their gods and kings from which they could learn good morals. The kings used to send their sons to schools, which were called Gurku, in India. In these gurku, they were taught how to use different weapons, how to protect themselves, and how to attack their enemies. They were also taught the basic principle of ruling an empire. These types of schools were not meant for the local population. It could only be accessed by the royal families. The rest of the children in the empire learned the skill that their parents possessed them. As the democratic government was established in the coming years, the importance of education spread throughout the country. Schools were opened where any kind of student could come and learn. This was the establishment of modern education.

 Today  Scenario

 The scenario of education now is different from the scenario that was a few years back, At that time modern education was not considered good and today traditional education is not considered enough. As the needs of the people are changing, the education system also has to change. And this change should be accepted by the people. Earlier, people used to teach their children how to fulfill their needs. This was the basic aim behind education. And the aim now is still the same. The only thing which has changed is the need for people. With the passing of time, the things which were a luxury at that time have formed the basic needs now. As the needs grew, education had to grow. If education did not evolve, then it would be difficult to fulfill the needs of today.

 Equality in education

 Traditional education which was provided in schools was not meant for all children. There was a lot of discrimination between the children. It was considered that education was meant for only high society people. The children who belonged to families of lower society were not allowed to enter the schools. Traditional education was not meant for everyone. Modern education is accessible to all. Anyone can take admitted to a school and learn modern education. We can say that it is because of modern education that modern education is accessible to all children. As modern education spread, the principle of equality was taught.

 The knowledge imparted

 As mentioned above, in traditional education the students are taught about traditions, customs, rituals, and religion. In modern education, students are taught about science, technology, language skills, mathematics, etc. the knowledge imparted in the traditional education system was enough for one’s living, but it was not enough to match the whole world.

 Which one is better than the best,

 Both types of education have their place and importance. We cannot declare any type of education good or bad. The traditional was good in this period and modern education is good in this period. It depends on the person. It depends on what the person wants to learn. If a person wants to learn about his customs and religion, then definitely traditional education is better for him. On the other hand, if a person wants to learn about science or mathematics, then modern education is good for him. Both types of education are equally important. Traditional educated is often associated with our culture. And it is good, or we can say it is important to learn about our own culture. Everyone should what are their traditions, culture, and the stories and beliefs of their religion. In the same way, it is equally important to catch up with the world in terms of the modern developments which are occurring today. This describes the importance of modern education. Modern education is required to stay in touch with the whole world and to see what is happening in the world.

 Conclusion

 It is difficult to infer which education is better. Both types have their importance. Both types are also similar to each and different from each other. Modern education is inherited from traditional education. But due to modern education, traditional education is being neglected, which would result in losing our culture. Traditional education and modern education, both should be given equal importance.