Welcome to the 8th Social Guide! We’re here to provide you with an overview of the various topics related to education in Tamil Nadu. From Tamil Nadu State Board, Modern System of Education and Shiksha Abhiyan, to English Education, National Policy on Education, Famous Colleges, Ancient India and Medieval Period – we’ll cover it all! You will also learn about learning of medicine, sources of learning, selection of students, British Rule and promotion of knowledge. Plus, we’ll look into Chinese Scholarship, Kothari Commission, Primary Vehicle and Social Science too. Finally, we’ll review Tamil Education, Universal Elementary Education and Compulsory Education as well as Informal Education. Let’s get started!

8th Social Guide You may know

Tamil Nadu State Board

 Tamil Nadu is one of the most educationally advanced states in India. The Tamil Nadu State Board has been established to provide quality education to its students. It provides both secondary and higher level education curricula for schools, colleges and universities in the state.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

 This is a flagship program of the Government of India that aims at providing universal elementary education to all children between the ages of 6-14 years. This scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) with support from Central and State governments, local bodies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders.

Medieval India

 Medieval India was characterized by the rise of powerful kingdoms and dynasties. The most prominent amongst these were the Rajputs, the Cholas, and the Mughals. During this period, education was imparted mainly through Gurukulas (residential educational institutions). This system laid emphasis on the teaching of various religious scriptures such as Upanishads, Gita, Smriti-Shastras, Vedas and Puranas. The subjects taught also included Mathematics, Astronomy and Medicine.

Modern System of Education

 With the advent of British Rule and the subsequent introduction of English education, a new system of education was established in India. This system focused on the provision of quality education to all citizens. It also made learning more accessible through the establishment of schools, colleges and universities across India. In addition to this, a number of reforms were introduced to improve the standard of teaching and promote higher education in various fields such as engineering, medicine, law and arts.

English Education

The introduction of English language into Indian educational system ushered in an era of change. English opened up new avenues for Indians by providing access to knowledge from around the world. It also enabled students to pursue higher studies abroad and develop their skills in research and development. English education was instrumental in providing quality education to the masses and helping them make informed decisions.

National Policy

The Government of India formulated the National Policy on Education (NPE) in 1986 as an initiative to ensure free and compulsory education for all children aged 14 years and below. This policy was created to provide equitable access to quality education and bridge social, economic, and educational disparities among different sections of society. It was the first time that a comprehensive legal framework for the development of education in India had been put in place. It also laid emphasis on making primary education universal, accessible and of good quality. It also emphasized on ensuring equitable access to higher level of education and imparting necessary skills to make students job ready.

Famous Colleges

Tamil Nadu has some of the most renowned educational institutions in India, such as the IIT Madras, Anna University, Loyola College, Madras Christian College, Amrit a Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and Alagappa University. These institutions are well known for their academic excellence and have produced some of the most successful professionals in the country.

Ancient India and Medieval Period

 Education in Ancient India and the Medieval period was quite advanced. During this time, learning was imparted through Gurukulas, which focused on imparting knowledge of religious scriptures such as Upanishads, Gita, Smritis and Shastras. The most prominent educational centers during this time were the universities of Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramshila and Valabhi.

Sources of Learning

In ancient India, there were many sources of learning ranging from Vedas to philosophical texts such as Nyaya Sutras and Charaka Samhita. Knowledge was also passed on from generation to generation through stories, songs, and conversations between teachers and experts in various fields. Oral traditions were used to impart wisdom and understanding of the world around them.. The Vedic period also saw the emergence of a number of educational systems such as gurukulas, vidyapeeths, shiksha mandirs, and pathashalas.

Kothari Commission

The Kothari Commission was established in 1964 by the Government of India to evaluate and review the educational system in the country. . The commission recommended the adoption of a three-language formula for primary education and suggested the introduction of ‘social science’ as an integral part of school curriculum. It also emphasized on liberalizing access to higher education and making it affordable for all sections of society.

Shiksha Abhiyan

The Government of India launched the Shiksha Abhiyan in 2009 to ensure that all children across the nation have access to quality elementary education. The initiative seeks to ensure that all children, regardless of their geographical or economic backgrounds, receive an equitable opportunity for learning and development. Under this scheme, the government has taken several initiatives such as introduction of midday meals, provision of free textbooks and uniforms, establishment of Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) at selected schools, construction of toilets and drinking water facilities, etc., for providing quality education to all children.