Summary
- Difference between Ancient Education and Modern Education System
- Ancient education vs modern education
- Traditional education vs modern education
- The ancient and modern education system in India
Difference Between Ancient Education and Modern Education System
It all started with that Stone Age fellow who realized that he and his contemporaries could understand each other’s cries and grunts.
Then came another fellow who invented tools and soon they all had improved fashion wear and the basic makings of a language. And what do you do when you have a language? You pass it on.
Ancient education and modern education are very different but also have some similarities like using a language or a particular place to study.
Yes, we romanticize ancients with their pyramids, Parthenon and Stonehenge wondering what hidden knowledge they bore. But frankly, those ain’t cost-effective structures to be built in the 21st century.
The chief Difference between Ancient Education and Modern Education systems would be that in the modern education system, it is free and compulsory.
You are going to school whether you like it or not. Joking aside, the ancient education system was more on trying to understand the world philosophically than scientifically. In the modern education system, you’ve got to prove what you say.
Ancient Education vs Modern Education
If we were to go Ancient education vs modern education, both have their benefits well suited for their times. The latter seems more valuable and sane than the prior.
However, they do have their differences mostly sticking to the facts of great technological differences, world view, and the fantastic size of the population. Besides we cannot forget religious and societal differences.
To better understand the differences between ancient education and modern education systems, we will have to compare them with certain facets. It will be done by comparing ancient Greeks and Romans with the modern education system.
Students in The Ancient Education System
Although there is no absolute information, it is safer to assume that the city populace had a higher literacy rate. There existed group schools which were mostly for boys.
A few girls did learn to read but at home. They never went to school. The possibility of homeschooling for girls entirely depended on their parent’s choice.
Students in The Modern Education System
By law, all children are expected to attend school, be it in villages or cities alike. Basic education has been made free and compulsory.
Besides, it is the parent’s civic duty to send their children to school failing which can attract legal prosecution in some countries.
Educators in The Ancient Education System
Teachers in ancient Greece suffered from the same problem that teachers suffer in the modern world, low wages.
Meanwhile, teachers were literates but not all were scholars. Education was mostly about reading and writing for some.
Given the legend of Greek achievements in philosophy and other areas, Romans often employed Greeks as schoolteachers.
Some of these teachers were from the enslaved population. Romans believed that Greeks had a scholarly ability and hence Greek literature was part of the roman curriculum.
Educators in The Modern Education System
Teachers in modern schools and the education system are required to have at least 16 or more years of formal education. They have to be certified and have to bear degrees that are particularly designed for the carrier.
Subjects Studied in The Ancient Education System
Ancient Greeks fancied oratory, reading and writing, history, poetry, music, athletics, and arithmetic. Similarly, Romans incorporated the same system with an addition of Latin. Also, rhetoric was given a greater preference.
Subjects Studied in The Modern Education System
There is no lack of a variety of subjects available for a learner to learn in the modern education system. There are basic subjects all must learn and then there are specializations by choice.
The basic subjects include reading, writing, languages, science, social science, math, physical education, sports, music, art, and applied sciences.
Those looking for specialization can pick anything from economics, fine arts to medicine and quantum mechanics.
School in The Ancient Education System
An individual would have a bunch of small buildings where he did hire teachers to take classes or a self-employed teacher would take classes at his house or out near a tree or a brook.
Romans kind of followed what Greeks did and their school year began in March.
School in The Modern Education System
Huge buildings and campuses housing hundreds if not thousands of students. Separate spaces for learning, entertainment, food preparation, residence, and infirmary.
Total Years of Schooling in The Ancient Education System
There wasn’t exactly a proper period of education and largely depended on the students and their parents.
Meanwhile, in the Roman Empire, education started from the age of seven and lasted till twelve. Later, some students went to high schools.
Total Years of Schooling in The Modern Education System
Students begin their education from the age of 4 and continue till the age of 18 assuming, they cleared all the exams every year. Later, they can study another 3 to 7 years to complete higher education.
Careers Requiring Education in The Ancient Education System
Anyone trying to become a politician had to have a good public speaking ability. Therefore training in rhetoric was essential.
Meanwhile, businesses were conducted orally than in writing. Similarly, politicians and those of the priestly class were required to have literacy and rhetoric. Education wasn’t mandatory for businessmen.
Careers Requiring Education in The Modern Education System
One has got to have basic education to survive in the 21st century. Finding employment without education is of great difficulty.
No matter which profession, basic education is almost always required. Besides, there aren’t many jobs available for the uneducated.
In the ancient education system, literacy was not universal. It was neither a duty nor a right.
Generally, rich folk’s children were taught to read while the education of the children in the labour class was limited to their parent’s trade.
However, the modern education system is free and compulsory for all. Governments spend millions of dollars to get their entire population educated, at least with a basic level of education. Achieving 100% literacy is more of a civic goal.
People in the ancient world valued education but not knowing to read or write was not considered an embarrassment.
One could seek and find assistance for reading or writing something. Besides, a man’s word in that era did bear his respect and value.
Coming to the modern world, education is considered valuable and prestigious. Parents rich or poor, want their children to get educated to the highest level possible.
A bad effect of this is that some students who are extremely good or pretty bad at studies usually get shamed.
Traditional Education vs Modern Education
The traditional education system and modern education system are unique and very different from each other.
Considering Traditional education vs modern education, it can be observed that the prior deals with traditions passed from one generation to the other.
The latter, however, deals with a more scientific approach that is, it teaches students, skills to survive in the present world of science and technology.
In traditional education, a teacher passes on values, skills, manners, and social practices from their generation to the next generation. The aim is to ensure the survival of the future generation.
Education mostly revolves around traditions and customs. It is usually done through oral recitation and involves very little written or practical work.
The students will listen to the recitation and by-heart it. They might have to pass through a not-so-formal oral exam.
Traditional education has got everything to do with religion, tradition, and customs. It does not give any importance to science and technology.
Modern education is in an entirely other direction. It is a scientific method and is the form of education imparted in schools today.
It teaches a student the basic skills required to survive in the modern world of science and technology. This system involves listening, writing, speaking, imagining, visualizing, and problem-solving skills.
Students are expected to pass through very formal tests and prove that they have learnt their lessons well.
In other words, the modern education system has evolved from the traditional oral education system.
The latter then improved to the traditional system of writing on blackboards and books. This in turn has gone modern with online education on laptops and tablets.
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The Ancient and Modern Education System in India
India has been a forerunner in education since ancient times. India has always been a land of wonder globally since time immemorial.
India’s ancient education system has attracted scholars from throughout the world. Besides, Nalanda University in India is considered to be the first residential university in the world.
The ancient and modern education system in India is two different faces of the education system in India.
However, they do have a common history connecting them. It is worth noting that the education system in India has always been an attraction worldwide, be it in ancient or modern times.
The ancient education system in India began with Rigveda, which dealt with the growth and taking care of the inner and other self of an individual.
It focused on moral, physical, spiritual, and intellectual aspects of life. It was later followed by other forms of Vedas and Upanishads.
Education was imparted at home, in temples, gurukuls, or pathshalas. Education could be given in residential ashrams or for some hours daily.
Accounts of Chinese scholars describe that kings and society took great interest in promoting education.
This led to the creation of many famous educational centres like Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramshila, Odantapuri, and others.
The syllabus as well as the selection of students was completely in the hands of the teacher.
The course concluded when the teacher was satisfied with the student’s performance. The method of teaching was through debate and discussion.
It may be noted that education was considered sacred and was free of charge. However, any donations for education were considered to be of the highest form.
The ancient education system in India was not centralized and focused on the holistic development of the students through rich cultural traditions.
The modern education system was introduced into India by the British which is still followed in the country. This system changed the age-old archaic systems with the English way.
Past the independence of India, the government of India understood the great need and value of education and put in great effort to get people into schools and educate them.
The far-sight of the visionary leader Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru introduced the much-needed educational reforms in the country. Presently, the country has world-renowned universities attracting students from all over the world.
The modern education system in India follows a pyramidal structure starting with the Pre-primary level, Primary (elementary) level, Secondary level, and higher education.
Through the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002, elementary education has been made a fundamental right.
Successive Union and state governments have spent millions of rupees to spread literacy in the country with Kerala becoming the state with the highest literacy rate in India.
The Indian modern education system aims to provide free and compulsory elementary education to all irrespective of their caste or creed.
To ensure there is no disparity in access to education, the government has also provided reservations for the SC, ST, OBS, and other minorities in the society.
Conclusion
There are differences between Ancient Education and Modern Education systems but where we have reached now, it all thanks to someone in history noticing the need and value of education.
It is worth mentioning that though we have gone modern, we are now incorporating ancient methods into the modern system to further optimize it.
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