Indian education system

The modern Indian education system is one of the many things which we inherited from the colonial period. This modern education system was introduced by Lord Macaulay in 1835. He wanted an educational system that would create a class of anglicized Indians who would serve as cultural intermediaries between the colonial government and the Indians.

Learning of English was prioritised in this modern system with the hope that would result in speedy modernisation and smooth working of British administration in India. Macaulay believed that change in education could work as the soft power to bring changes in beliefs, interest, moral and traditional values of Indians.

Particularly this present form of the education system was proposed by Macaulay in the 20th century to attain their interest and requirements, by preparing Indian perfectly for jobs instead of personal businesses. To understand this modern education system we need to discuss the framework which prevails before the colonial rule and for which we currently stand.

Indian education system before the colonial era.

India is considered as the successor of Indus Valley Civilisation. The ancient civilisation which is known worldwide for its advancements.   These advance reflected in Indian education from starting, although the education system went through lots of changes and variation there were few points which remained the same in Traditional education system these points are as follows

1. Practical knowledge - In contrary to the modern education system which is majorly based on theory, the traditional education system was practical knowledge-based instead of books education is given through teaching techniques not just by reading about it.

2. Skill development - skill development was an inseparable part of that education system it preaches that every individual should learn at least one skill for serving society. It believed that instead of becoming average in many skill one should master any one wholeheartedly. This point is missing in the present system.

3.Emphasis on Art- Art was a matter of great importance in traditional society. And everyone used to learn one art form with their survival skill. Because art was valued as something which makes the human race different from other species.

4. Connection with nature (environment)-Study of the environment was the incredibly important thing about that education system, plants are considered as something sacred which has properties so solve all problems. Research of plants and their benefits was common during that time

Literacy rate before introduction of the British education system 

Before the implementation of the British education system, lots of sources claimed that Indian literary rate was around 90%. But during that era criteria were different to major literally rate it was given on the basis of skills. It doesn't matter if the person can write or not if he had the particular skill like sewing, singing, bookmaking, painting or another skill the person was considered as literate. But the new system had made specification for literacy certificate and in that most important thing was and even today is reading and writing as well as an individual should attend school to become literature, it doesn't count if a person is master of any skill.

Why Colonial Government introduced the New System?

The Traditional Indian Education system, which was at least a few thousand years old, was completely wiped out with the introduction of a new education system.

The motive behind the introduction of the new education system was their own benefits

First, they wanted  to make their language common in their colony so, that their administration could run smoothly

Second, they wanted to create a big army of working class in India, so run their business profitability they needed lots of people especially for lower ranks

Third, they wanted to change Believes and interest of Indian to match with their own.

Fourth, to establish an English language and culture superior.

But one more dilemma we need to think about is why we are still following this system, maybe for this one possible answer is because we have adapted it in a way that we don't find anything wrong with it, or according to officials, it is still working effectively.