Indian Education Board Need and purpose

The education system of any country is in fact the mirror of its society. Education ensures social equality and social and economic justice in the society. If timely qualitative changes are introduced in the education system, then it is bound to yield a good result. Actually the education system is devised by the ruling class of a society but it has been the irony of India that even today we are influenced by foreign rulers and their mind set. By promoting their foreign values we have been blindly following their system of education imposed on us to build mechanical humans like clerks which suppresses innovative ideas. Due to the absence of strong will power, Indians have not been able to  utilize their own Sanskar or moral values and value based education for the expansion of Indian culture, language, art and traditions. Due to this reason on one hand our culture lags behind and on the other hand a western mind set based society is being build which is in fact dissatisfied. As a result joint families are getting fragmented into nuclear families, and today's students seem to have become largely incompetent, dissatisfied, intolerant, anarchist and lacking in patience.
 The inequality, injustice, dissatisfaction, lack of patience and intolerance and anarchy can be sorted out only with the help of a well balanced education system for all. Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) and National Education Eommission have expressed their opinion that science and knowledge based on Indian culture and Indian values can contribute in a great way to the progress, security and welfare of the country. It has also been clearly felt that a system of education not based on social moral and spiritual values is a major flaw of the curriculum in Indian schools. In the 55th meeting of CABE there was a mention that even UNESCO is of the view that to ensure world peace it is required to include the elements of culture and spiritualism in education. Under the guidance of the present Narendra Modi regime, if we look at the context of CABE's immediate decisions the board makes it clear that we have to pledge to promote human value based education, skilled based life education and practical education so that we can transform the students into good citizens by the means of a good education system.

In the light of this discussion what emerges is that there are flaws in the present education system and improvement is needed in it. What is required for this are necessary changes in the education system, new schemes for the training of  teachers, the use of modern and ancient mediums of education, training for evaluation, selection of various standards , physical and psychological health, evaluation of commercial skill and an impartial examination system. For this purpose, an equivalent of the present Central Board of Secondary Education and ICSE is most needed which will be able to plug the flaws and with a comprehensive outlook, it could be established as a complete alternative.

To eradicate the flaws of present education system: 

Given the fall in human values being witnessed these days some kind of flaw is being observed in the Indian education system and its curriculum and many educationists in the last 3-4 decades have done research and contemplation on it and have conceded that the blend of the ancient Vedic culture based education and modern methods of education can be incorporated in the curriculum to remove the above mentioned flaws. To get it done there is a need for such an education board approved by the union government which could work as a bridge between them. To bring a qualitative improvement in the level of education of the elementary and secondary schools, it is needed to include the ancient knowledge of sages, spiritualism, philosophy and scientific values apart from modern education so that a common human could be turned into a great human, divine human and a responsible world citizen.

Preservation and growth of ancient Indian language; Sanskrit 

In a meeting of CABE on National Education Policy 1986, it was concluded that our country's language, Sanskrit , has contributed to the growth and development of the global languages and for the protection of this Indian language a Sanskrit education board is most needed. In Allopathic method of treatment of the world it is conceded that Maharshi Sushrut was the father of surgery. All his books on treatment of diseases are in Sanskrit language. In the highly rated education institute Harvard School of Medicine has accepted Yoga as a supplementary method of treatment of diseases. Yogdarshan written by Maharshi Patanjali, Maharshi Sushrut's Shalya Chikitsa (surgery), Maharshi Charak's knowledge of Ayurveda, etc., are the great sources of science and knowledge which are free from any harm to humans and their description is  available in abundance in Sanskrit scriptures. Composite research on the work of these great scholars of ancient times is the need of the hour.

For all round development of students yoga needs to be included as part of the curriculum : Yoga is a part of Indian Vedic tradition of Knowledge and it provides happiness and harmony in life. Given the scientific benefits of Yoga initiatives are being taken across the world to include Yoga as an inseparable part of education. Therefore there is a need for such a system of education which could incorporate the entire thoughts of yoga in life style. By including the functional and philosophical aspects of yoga in curriculum it can be possible to build a healthy and prosperous citizen who is physically, mentally and spiritually healthy.

Communal harmony and love

The need for a new curriculum based system of education is being felt to remove growing envy in the present situation, it is possible to include the fundamental and comprehensive truth and best teachings of all the prominent religions to promote communal harmony and love and by including the messages of Global fraternity or Vishwabandhutva and Sarve Bhawantu Sukhinah (May everyone be prosperous) for building an inclusive society.

Education based on moral education and national conscience

Moral education, the tradition of sages, promotion of Sanskrit based education and with the blend of Vedic and modern education the growth of national consciousness can be ensured. By remembering the contributions of our ancestors the citizens of the country could feel proud of them. Such a curriculum has to be included which would be indigenous and promote self respect of the students so that it becomes an inseparable part of their life style. 

Making of world citizens

A need for such a system of education is being acutely felt where the inclusion of Vedic education and the blend of comprehensive inclusion of scientific, secular and modern education could help build such citizens who do not destroy nature and the environment in blind pursuit of material development. Citizens who are self- restrained and disciplined and being obliged to the principle of co-existence and endeavour with the sense of discharging their moral duty and could prove their rise and salvation. The need of such a system of education is being felt in which every student must get a chance to learn three vernacular and three foreign languages so that he or she could develop a sense of cooperation and goodwill with the citizens of the rest of the world and could give orientation to the global policies and global science for the welfare of the world.

Awakening of infinite knowledge and strength

There is a need for such an education system based on science and research that could help in arousing the infinite knowledge, energy and strength latent in every person. Besides humans could also enter the areas of infinite knowledge and bliss and could have association with  extreme human consciousness. By getting free from entire human weaknesses they could associate with a divine way of life which means  that a completely conscious and fully capable human could be built. Such kind of farsightedness is not indicated in any form of present day's systems of education , therefore a need for a new and a comprehensive system of education was being severely felt. With the comprehensive education the overall development of humans is possible. For a strong, capable nation , healthy citizens with great character, capacity and ablility is a must. For building a capable human there are two mediums - one is home and second is school. This means practical, value based, functional education and Sanskar or good habits.  Knowledge based all round education ensures overall development of an individual and builds a well behaving world citizen for the country , world and the universe.This transforms a common human being into a divine human being. But at present in the glare of material prosperity unstable and dissatisfied humans are normally found around us and education is its basic reason.

Complete education means that field of knowledge which ensures knowledge based, emotional and functional development. And by developing the art of good behaviour with love , art of leading a life style according to the rules of nature and environment, this builds a responsible, humble, simple , scientific persons, full of good human qualities, living the values of world fraternity. 

This type of comprehensive system of education is the biggest need of the time as well as for the people of India. Patanjali Yogpeeth has continuously been doing research for the last 25 years on this type of comprehensive education, knowledge, and material, human and spiritual aspects of knowledge in which the tradition of sage and teacher is being revived. Patanjali has been running five Gurukuls at present which are completely dedicated to promoting the ancient tradition of the knowledge of sages. Similarly, Ayurveda Medical College and University are being run on the basis of modern standards of modern education. For the last six years one such school is also being run where modern and Vedic education are being blended to ensure all round development of the students. This experiment has been very successful and today four more schools have also been launched on this pattern. Now its continuity is on the rise in society. At the university called Acharyakulam, Vedic and Western education have been blended to educate students and the students of the institute have secured 90 to 99 percent marks until now which is a kind of revolution in itself.
From the above mentioned three types of systems of education and with the experiences gained, and continuous scientific researches a conclusion has been drawn that with qualitative changes in the field of education and also with a sacred environment a gradual growth of human mind is possible and various types of capabilities and powers can be aroused in humans. Given the feeling of Patanjali's contribution in the field of education and its experiences Patanjali Yogpeeth has been assigned with the duty to set up and conduct Indian Board of Education. This board is led by respected Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev Ji Maharaaj as its chairperson. This society called Education Board will also work with the blessings of respected Morari Bapu who is in the role of its patron and apart from myself, National personalities like Swami Govind Giri Ji, Mr. Poonam Suri Ji, Justice Giridhar Malviya, Mr. Mahaveer Agarwal, Swami Mukta Nand Ji will guide this education board.

It is to be noted that before the approval of the centre this comprehensive proposal was presented before the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Mr. Amit Shah Ji, Mr. Prakash Javdekar, Union Human Research and Development Minister. This could be possible after 2-3 long years of contemplations, meetings and continuous efforts. For this Patanjali Yoga expresses its gratitude towards respected Prime Minister and Union government.

Main purposes of Indian Education Board

• To bring qualitative changes in the level of elementary and secondary school education. The tradition of sages and their knowledges, spiritualism, philosophy, science based values, principles are to be included apart from modern education and to promote scientific thinking and logical tendency. Divine and great humans are to be built on the basis of good values and human and moral values to make responsible world citizens.

   

• By means of comprehensive, scientific ,secular and welfare based coordination such people are to be built who are self- restrained, disciplined, well mannered, believe in co- existence and have a sense of duty and by doing complete dedication should be making full efforts so that their beginning and salvation could be ensured.

• Building such a system of education in which there are happy people. With this system of education a justified growth, justified utilization, justified share and justified exploitation will be possible. 

• Such a system is to be built with which internal energy of a human could be aroused and proper development of internal power in the field of knowledge, happiness and greatest human power could be aroused and humans could enter into the field of bliss and knowledge.

• The entire existence must be viewed with the outlook of justice by keeping faith in spiritual justice. 

• Such humans are to be built who are free from entire human weaknesses, greedy demands, free from desires and arrogance , such reality based knowledge based divine life must be part of their character. Such humans are to be built. If this happens ominous things will vanish. If this happens negative things will vanish and there will be prosperity, peace, happiness, success , etc. all around, 'Vidyam Chavidyam Cha Yastadwedwobhayam Saha. Avidyaya Mrityum Tittrva Vidyayamritamashnute II' - Yaju. 40/14, Indram Vardhanto Apturah Krnvanto Vishvamaryam I

• Apadhnanto Aravnah II- (Rig. 9/63/5) The purpose of the knowledge and education of our sages who built our glorious history will be fulfilled and fully conscious and aware citizens will be created.

• This board is being formed to promote the use of modern techonlogy, skill development, by giving the information of all the basic elements , by strengthening all the main faiths and beliefs , and by inducing the importance of the hard work in the minds of a student.

• Starting from childhood till the age children turn into  youth, such thoughts and values are to be instilled in them so that they can do well in their subjects of interest like art, management, computing, medical and non-medical, engineering, computer, science based on modern technology, mathematics, etc.  They will also have a sound knowledge of ancient languages like Sanskrit, and subjects like Indian culture, moral values, high standards, besides Vedas, Upanishads, Geeta, philosophy, etc. the national language, Hindi, and other regional languages apart from English and other global languages. 

Special features of the syllabus:

• In the syllabus of this board, there will be a blend of education system of sages like that of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, fundamental education suggested by Mahatma Gandhi for generation of employment and indigenous based fundamental education and Sri Arvind's system of education to build divine humans and also the education of Swami Vivekanand based on enthusiasm, bravery, endeavour, Vedanta, etc., and modern education as well.

• By means of this system of education students will be taught to rise above regionalism, narrowness of language and communalism and in this way students willq feel proud of their nation, respect for all the religions and dedication for human values. 

• Students will be made aware towards the values and duties described in the Constitution of India.

• Under this board there will be a special arrangement of learning and teaching of Indian culture (Vedas, Upanishad, Philosophy, Geeta, etc.).

• There will also be arrangement for teaching our ancient language Sanskrit, national language Hindi and other regional languages besides English and other world languages.

• With the syllabus of Indian Board of Education, Dharma, memory, talent, endeavour, bravery, dedication and truth like quality will be developed which are no less than divine resources and in this way these students will be able to provide great leadership to other countries, to society and to the world as they will have a divine personality.

• This will also give birth to thoughts based on logic, science and innovation among these students.

• By making the students capable of speaking three to four languages it will develop in them the capability of generating new employment opportunities and accordingly they will also grow skill as per employment opportunities.

It is not that efforts were not made to change this system  of education in the past. Many committees were set up and some of them were - Radhakrishnan Commission (1948-49), Kothari Commission (1964-66), National Education Policy- 1986 and Rammurty Committee 1990, etc. all of which stressed on the need for value based over all system of education. A little bit of change did take place but for our Indian culture, our ancient divine language Sanskrit, National language Hindi, and besides other regional languages and English, a need for indigenous board of education was recognized by the human resource development ministry. A need was felt for related intellectual education; a vocational course to be implemented that could modern as well ancient sage education and culture in students that could promote world fraternity and the values of co-existence. At present when the world has become a global village, the quality of education has become a big issue. Therefore the present Indian Board Of Education is being viewed as a wholesome system of education that could fulfill the need of the time. In this system of education, apart from the modern arrangement of education science, fundamental vedic education, yoga based health oriented science and Indian value and tradition based moral and high character based education will also be  imparted. With this kind of quality based system of education development of cultural values, character and moral value based life style, yoga based life style and good health based life style , etc. could be ensured in the coming years and in a few years Indian traditions and Indianess will become an inseparable part of our life.

In this issue general articles on various topics are not being published. This issue is dedicated to education.