Book Title: Global Perspectives in Multidisciplinary Research and Scholarly Innovation
Editors: Dr. Aditi Deka Pathak, and Prof. Guptajit Pathak
ISBN: 978-81-69297-30-1
Chapter: 11
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59646/714/11
Author: Guptajit Pathak
Abstract
The present paper explores the educational visions of the saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva (1449 CE–1568 CE) and examines its relevance and applicability to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020The paper concentrates on how the educational concept of Sankardeva that emphasized heavily on moral education, inclusive education, vernacular literacy, cultural assimilation, and experiential learning is relevant to contemporary learning priorities enumerated in NEP 2020, including the holistic human and sustainable development, multilingualism, critical thinking and skill-based learning, and a historical-comparative approach to education (Neog, 1998). The paper employs qualitative research methodology and is based on the existing policy documents, current practices included to the Eka-Sarana Naam Dharma institutions, and texts analysis of Sankardeva. It also considers secondary literature and historical accounts in order to situate the work of Sankardeva in the socio-cultural background of Assam. The analysis shows that most NEP 2020 objectives are expected to be achieved by centuries-old traditional pedagogical ideas, which implies the preservation of the significance of indigenous knowledge systems and culturally-focused education (Ministry of Education, 2020). The paper notes that the inclusion-based, ethics-centered, and community-oriented approach proposed by Sankardeva can provide valuable lessons on the implementation of NEP 2020 in a culturally diverse and multilingual context by comparing the old paradigm of educational approaches and the new one. To achieve the inclusive, egalitarian and context-sensitive learning outcomes, the research encourages the combination of traditional wisdom and modern pedagogical methods. It highlights the significance of historical educational philosophy to the modern policy and practice as well as to historical and present educational debate involving internalization of higher education.
Keywords: Srimanta Sankardeva, Pedagogy, National Education Policy 2020, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Holistic Education, Assam, Comparative Education, Educational History