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School in India. Diversity of Philosophical Schools of Ancient India Indian School

Different schools of philosophy were born on the basis of different points of view on the eternal questions of being. Each founder of his teaching, trying to prove the correctness of his worldviews, surrounded himself with students and followers who supported and developed the philosophy of this particular school. Sometimes the teachings of different schools literally contradicted each other, but, based on the laws of the same philosophy and logic, each point of view had the right to exist.

The Origin of Philosophy in Ancient India

The most ancient of those studied to date are the philosophical researches of Ancient India. Their origin is attributed to the II millennium BC. These teachings were based on the study of the surrounding world, human relations, everything that is connected with the nature of the existence of the human body and its soul. But the research did not have a solid scientific basis; rather, they related to logical conclusions from what they saw and felt. These were the first steps towards scientific teachings and explanations of various phenomena in human life.

What is the "Vedas"?

We can say that the entire world philosophy is rooted in the depths of centuries and is based on the research of ancient India. Let us consider the important features of the philosophy of Ancient India in more detail.

The preserved treasures of Indian philosophy, written in Sanskrit, have survived to our time. This work has the title "Veda", i.e. knowledge, vision. The collection includes various spells, rituals, appeals, prayers, etc., addressed to the forces of nature, and it is also an attempt to interpret the world man from a philosophical point of view. The doctrine explains the first ideas of people about their moral and moral essence in life.

The Vedas are divided into four parts, which should be discussed in more detail:

First part - Samhitas which means hymns, she the oldest from all parts.
Second part - Brahmins- ritual texts, on which religion is based or philosophy of Brahmanism, which had the main power and authority before the emergence of Buddhism.
The third part - Aranyaki (forest books)- this part gives recommendations and sets the rules for the life of people who have chosen hermit lifestyle.
Fourth part - Upanishads- what does it mean to sit at the feet of a teacher and receive sacred, secret knowledge - philosophical part of the Vedas. In it, a new character Purush appears, who appears to be omniscient and omnipotent, the soul of the world, the cosmic mind, that is, in our understanding, an omnipotent god. Further, he will receive the name Atman, from which the human student receives knowledge.

All schools of philosophy of ancient India rely on the "Vedas", hence the division of society into four varnas, or, as they are also called, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Varna is the status of a certain group of people in society, to be more precise - it is a shell, color, color, cover. The right to belong to a particular caste is determined by birth. Each caste is engaged in a certain type of activity.

Brahmins (color white)- this is the highest caste, she is engaged only in mental work.
Kshatriyas (color red)- their destiny is military affairs.
Vaishya (colour yellow)- engaged only in handicrafts and agriculture.
Sudras (color black)- this is the lowest varna, engaged in "black" work.

Only men of the first three castes had access to knowledge, the fourth caste, as well as all women, were excluded from knowledge. Their dignity was valued on a par with animals.

Major schools of philosophy in ancient India

As can be seen from the development of history, the division of society is also based on a kind of philosophy that comes from the ancient Vedas. With the development of society and its division into castes, currents appear that have formed orthodox and unorthodox direction of Indian philosophy. There are schools of these directions that adhere to the support or refutation of the Vedas. The division into these schools of philosophical knowledge occurs by the 6th century. BC. - the development of society, the formation of new economic relations, the moral improvement of man, the emergence of new knowledge led to this.

Let us briefly consider how the two schools of different philosophical beliefs differ.

Orthodox schools(astika - violent) remained true to the philosophy of the Vedas. These included Vedanta, Sanhya, Nyaya, Mimamsa, Yoga and Vaisheshika. Adherents of these currents are those who believe in the continuation of life after leaving for another world. It is interesting to consider each direction of orthodox schools in more detail.

Vedanta or the completion of the Vedas, the school is divided into two streams, advanta and vishishta-advanta. The philosophical meaning of the first direction is that there is nothing but God, everything else is just an illusion. The second direction - vishishta-advaita, preaches three realities of which the world consists - this is God, soul and matter.
Sanhya- this school teaches the recognition of the material and spiritual principles. Material values are in constant development, the spiritual principle is eternal. The material goes away with the death of a person, while the spiritual principle continues life.
Nyaya- a school whose supreme spiritual mentor is the god Ishvara . The teaching of the school is a conclusion from the feeling, analogy and evidence of others.
Mimansa- the school is based on the principles of logic, rational explanation, it recognizes the spiritual and material existence.
Vaisheshika- this school bases its principles on the knowledge that everything around a person, like himself, consists of indivisible particles that have eternal existence and are controlled by the world soul, i.e. god.
Yoga- This is the most famous direction of all schools. It is based on the principles of dispassion, contemplation and detachment from the material. To achieve a harmonious liberation from suffering and reunion with God, meditation leads. Yoga is loyal to all existing schools and their teachings.

Unorthodox schools(nastika - atheist) who do not take the ancient "Vedas" as the basis of their philosophy. These include Buddhism, Charvaka Lokayata, Ved Jainism. Adherents of this school are considered atheists, but the Jai and Buddhist schools still profess astika, as they believe in the continuation of life after death.

Buddhism- The philosophy of this school is proclaimed the official religion. The founder is Siddhartha, who was called the Buddha, i.e. enlightened. The philosophy of the school is based on the path of enlightenment, the achievement of nirvana. This is a state of complete peace and equanimity, liberation from the causes of suffering and pain, from the outside world and thoughts associated with it.
Charvaka (Lokayata)- the school is based on the wisdom of the teachings that everything that exists consists of air, water, fire and earth, i.e. four elements, in various combinations. After death, when these elements disintegrate, they join their counterparts in nature. The school denies the existence of any other world than the material one.
Jainism- the name of the school was given by the nickname of its founder - Jin, who lived in the 4th century BC. The main thesis is belief in Tattva. This is the essence, the material for creating the entire structure of the world - the soul (jiva) and everything that is not it (ajiva) - the material environment of a person. The soul is eternal, and it has no creator, it has always existed and it is omnipotent. The goal of the teaching is the way of life of a person who has abandoned base passions - complete asceticism and obedience to a teacher who has conquered his own passions and is able to teach this to others.

Brahmanism

Changes taking place in India with the emergence of nomadic tribes who called themselves arias destroyed the habitual way of life of society. With time the texts of the sacred "Vedas" became incomprehensible to the majority from people. There remained a small group of initiates who could interpret them - Brahmins. These changes are attributed to the middle of the 2nd millennium BC.

Arias brought to the culture of India a new world of philosophical teachings and ideas. They had their own gods who demanded sacrifices.

Over the centuries, Vedic philosophy acquired new knowledge and became more complicated with new rituals. The Brahmins continued to support and develop new forms of religious philosophy. They proclaimed the main god Prajapati - the Master of creatures and the Lord of creations. Sacrificing rituals have become a daily reality. Philosophy divided the world in two - the world of the gods and ordinary people. Brahmin priests put themselves on a par with the ancient gods and their teachings. But the Vedas were still considered the fundamental basis of the new philosophy.

During community development there was a rethinking philosophical currents, the foundations of which were laid in the mists of time. Next they became the basis for the emergence of new religions, such as Hinduism(a continuation of Brahminism mixed with Vedic philosophy and local religions) and Buddhism.

As we now know Buddhism from a philosophical school grew to such heights that he became one of the three world religions and spread to the countries of the East and Southeast and Central Asia.

The human desire for knowledge, which subsequently leads to the development and progress of society, was taken from ancient philosophical treatises. Today, people are also searching for answers to the eternal questions of mankind, not suspecting that they are repeating the path of many generations trying to figure out the meaning of life.

The education system in India has undergone significant changes in the direction of development and improvement over the past decades. The reason for this is the rapid growth of the country's economy and an increase in the need for qualified scientific and working specialists. Much attention is paid to all levels of education - from preschool to higher education, getting a good education and a worthy specialty among the population of the country is one of the vital tasks in life. Studying at higher educational institutions in India is becoming more and more popular among foreign students. Moreover, there are a number traditional ways, allowing free education and not only higher, but also postgraduate.

Stages and types of education in India

The educational system of India includes several stages:

preschool education;
school (secondary and complete);
secondary vocational education;
higher and postgraduate education with academic degrees (bachelor, master, doctor).

Accordingly, according to the types of education in India, it is divided into secondary, complete secondary, vocational, higher and additional higher education.

The non-state educational system operates under two programs. The first provides for the education of schoolchildren, the second - adults. The age range is from nine to forty years old. There is also an open learning system, within which several open universities and schools operate in the country.

Preschool education

Traditionally in India, children younger age were always under the supervision of mothers and relatives. Therefore, the system of kindergartens in this country simply never existed. The problem has become acute in recent decades, when both parents often work in the family. Therefore, additional groups have been created throughout schools, operating on the principle of preparatory classes. As a rule, preschool education begins with three years learning takes place in the form of a game. It is noteworthy that already at this age children begin to learn English. The process of preparing for school lasts one to two years.

Secondary education

School education in India is built according to a single scheme. The child starts school at the age of four. Education in the first ten years (secondary education) is free, compulsory and carried out according to the standard general education program. Main disciplines: history, geography, mathematics, computer science and a subject, the free translation of which is denoted by the word "science". From the 7th grade, “science” is divided into biology, chemistry, and physics familiar to Russia. "Politics" is also taught, the equivalent of our natural sciences.

If in the first stage of school education in India the program is the same for everyone, then reaching the age of fourteen and moving to the upper grades (complete secondary education), students make a choice between fundamental and vocational education. Accordingly, there is an in-depth study of the subjects of the chosen course.

Preparation for entering universities takes place in schools. Students who choose vocational training go on to colleges and get high school special education. India is also rich in a large number and variety of craft schools. There, for several years, the student also, in addition to secondary education, receives a profession that is in demand in the country.

In schools in India, in addition to the native (regional) language, it is mandatory to study an “additional official” - English. This is explained by the unusually large number of languages of the multinational and numerous Indian people. It is no coincidence that English is the generally accepted language of the educational process; most textbooks are written in it. It is also obligatory to study a third language (German, French, Hindi or Sanskrit).

Schooling takes place six days a week. The number of lessons varies from six to eight per day. Most schools have free meals for children. There are no grades in Indian schools. But twice a year there are compulsory school-wide exams, and in the senior classes - national ones. All exams are written and taken as tests. The vast majority of teachers in Indian schools are men.

School holidays in India are relatively short. Vacation time falls in December and June. During the summer holidays, which last for a whole month, children's camps open in schools. There, in addition to recreation and entertainment with children, traditional creative educational activities are held.

The Indian secondary education system has both public and private schools. Obtaining secondary school education in public schools is usually free. For children from low-income Indian families, of which there are quite a lot in this country, there are benefits in the form of textbooks, notebooks, and scholarships. Education in private institutions is paid, but the prices for education in them are quite affordable for families, even with low incomes. Feedback on the quality of education often speaks in favor of private schools. There are also elite expensive gymnasiums that work on individual programs.

Russian schools in India

Education in India for Russian children is provided in three public schools that operate under the diplomatic services of Russia. The secondary school is located in New Delhi at the Russian embassy. In Mumbai and Chennai, elementary schools operate under the Consulates General of Russia. Education for Russian children is possible in absentia. The Russian School in New Delhi implements approved programs for primary, basic and secondary general education. The language of instruction is Russian. Of course, education for Russian children is quite possible in ordinary Indian schools, both private and public. But all subjects there are taught almost everywhere in English.

Higher education in India

Higher education in India is prestigious, diverse and popular among young people. More than two hundred universities operate in the country, most of which are focused on European standards of education. The system of higher education is presented in the usual three-level form for Europeans. Students, depending on the period of study and the chosen profession, receive bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees.

Among the most popular and prestigious universities are Calcutta, Mumbai, Delhi, Rajasthan, each of these universities has 130-150 thousand students. In recent decades, due to the steady development of the Indian economy, the number of engineering universities has increased. One of the most attractive and worthy here are the Indian Institute of Technology and the Institute of Management. Moreover, in the latter 50% of students are foreign students.

The proportion of humanities graduates in India is about 40%. Along with traditional universities, there are a lot of highly specialized higher educational institutions in the country, focused in particular on native culture, history, art, and languages.

Studying in India for international students

Getting higher education in India is becoming more and more popular among foreign students, including Russian ones. This is explained by several factors:

the high and increasing level of higher education in India;
in comparison with European prices, studying at Indian universities is much cheaper, the overall low cost of living in the country;
a large number of internship and student exchange programs with universities in India;
active state stimulation of education in the form of grants and scholarships.

It is noteworthy that for admission to an Indian university, there is no need to pass the entrance exams. Testing is used only in special cases. But there are strict requirements for knowledge in English, without which the road to most Indian universities will be closed. In all more or less large cities of India, there are inexpensive and qualified English courses.

For admission to the bachelor's degree, you must provide:

certificate of complete secondary education;
a document containing information about the disciplines and grades passed at the school;
documentary evidence of solvency for students on a commercial basis.

Education in Indian universities is also relevant for people who already have higher education. For admission to the magistracy, it will be necessary to provide a document on complete secondary education and a certified copy of the diploma. Upon admission to doctoral studies, a copy of the master's degree and other documents indicating the applicant's qualifications will be required, respectively.

All documents of foreign students must be legalized: translated into English, certified by a notary.

Free education in India

Postgraduate education in India can also be free, as well as initial university education. For these purposes, institutions regularly allocate grants, which require at least a diploma and all the same knowledge of the English language. Free education in India can also be achieved with the help of ITEC - a program of technical and economic cooperation.

Studying in India, where such sharp contrasts between wealth and poverty, would seem to lose all interest for an immigrant. However, the practice of studying in this exotic country shows very different results. A large enrollment flow annually rushes towards India. The goal of every potential student is a good education for little money, in the future - life abroad.

The educational system of India includes several stages:

preschool education;
school (secondary and complete);
secondary vocational education;
higher and postgraduate education with academic degrees (bachelor, master, doctor).

Accordingly, according to the types of education in India, it is divided into secondary, complete secondary, vocational, higher and additional higher education.

The non-state educational system operates under two programs.

The first is to teach students
the second - adults.

Age range - from nine to forty years. There is also an open learning system, within which several open universities and schools operate in the country.

Preschool education

The system of preschool education in India as such does not exist. Home preschool education is traditionally developed in the country. Until the age of four, the child is at home under the supervision of the mother. If both parents are busy at work, they resort to the services of a nanny or relatives. Some schools have preparatory groups where you can still send the child if it is not possible to engage in his upbringing at home. In such groups, the baby spends most of the day and, in addition to being under constant supervision, goes through the stage of preparation for school and even begins to study foreign languages(mostly English).

Compulsory schooling is required for children between the ages of 5 and 14. The school year in Indian schools begins in late March - early April. Studying in schools is divided into two semesters: April-September, October-March. The longest school holidays are in May-June, when heat (45-55º C) covers many parts of India.

Compulsory education is a priority of India's public policy. Approximately 80% of primary schools are state-owned or supported by the authorities. Education is free. Parents of students pay only small amounts for school needs. All tuition costs are covered by the state.

Indian schools are divided into types:

municipal,
state,
private with state support,
boarding schools,
special schools.

Public and non-government schools are managed and funded locally by state governments and local national boards. As a general rule, parents of public school students pay their children's tuition fee once, at the time of admission. Most public schools in India are affiliated with the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and ICSE (International Center for Secondary Education) organizations.

Public schools are funded and run solely by the government of the country. This type of institution is characterized by the lowest cost of education services.

Russian schools in India

The Russian School in New Delhi implements approved programs for primary, basic and secondary general education.

The language of instruction is Russian. Of course, education for Russian children is quite possible in ordinary Indian schools, both private and public. But all subjects there are taught almost everywhere in English.

Features of higher education

The higher education system in India has a three-tier structure:

undergraduate;
magistracy;
doctoral studies.

The duration of training directly depends on the chosen specialty. So, the period of study in the field of trade, arts is three years, and to get a specialty in the field agriculture, medicine, pharmacology or veterinary medicine, you need to study for four years.

Bachelor's studies require a mandatory document of complete secondary education (12 years).

After completing a bachelor's degree, a graduate has the right to continue his studies in a master's program (2 years) or go to work. In view of the active development of the country's economy in recent decades, the main emphasis in the Indian higher education system is on technical specialties, while the humanities account for about 40% of the total. State and private enterprises are interested in obtaining highly qualified specialists, therefore they take an active part in the development of the educational structure of the country. The most popular majors in Indian higher education institutions are:

IT technologies;
engineering specialties;
management;
pharmacology;
jewelry business.

For citizens of India, education in public institutions of higher education can be free. Foreign citizens are admitted to state universities on a budgetary basis only if the university provides a grant for education. At the same time, the price in commercial Indian universities is quite low by European standards: the cost of two full semesters in the most prestigious higher education institution in India does not exceed $15,000 per year. When entering on a contract basis, the applicant is required to provide proof of solvency (this may be an extract from a bank card).

Virtual and distance learning. Many universities take part in international scientific programs, share their own courses in engineering, information technology and other fields for free.

IT-specialists educated in one of the Indian universities are in demand all over the world today.

Top Universities in India

The most popular areas of study in Indian universities are engineering, management, information technology, pharmacology and jewelry.

Educational process

Teaching at universities in India is conducted, as a rule, in English, so a good language base is one of the main requirements for applicants. There are no higher educational institutions where teaching in Russian would be conducted in India. At individual universities, teaching is conducted in the languages of the respective states in which the university is located. However, even in such universities, English-language education is still preferable even among local residents.

Unlike Russia and many other countries of the world, where the academic year begins in September, Indian schoolchildren and students begin their studies in July. It is curious that each educational institution sets the start date of the educational process independently, that is, studies can begin either on July 1 or on July 20. At the end of each semester, students take exams. As for schools, there is no system of ongoing assessment of knowledge.

At the end of the school year, students take final exams in oral or as a test. The longest holidays in Indian educational institutions in May and June are the hottest months in the country. In Indian schools, it is customary to wear a school uniform. Girls wear elongated dresses here, boys wear shirts or T-shirts and shorts.

Tuition fees in 2019

The main advantage of getting an education in the Indian state is the democratic cost of the services of universities and colleges.
The cost of one year of study at a major Indian university does not exceed $15,000. The amount of payment depends on the prestige of the educational institution:

At popular universities, tuition fees for bachelors are around $4,000. per semester;
For masters - about 6 thousand per semester;
In a private university, the cost is often the same for bachelors and masters. On average, this is 5-10 thousand dollars. per semester.

Free education opportunity

Until recently, only local residents could get free higher education in India. But due to the growing popularity of Indian universities, opportunities for free education also began to appear for foreign citizens. To do this, a foreign student needs to take part in a scholarship program. Every year, local universities hold a competition for the issuance of budget places foreign young people who wish to study in them. The program applies to absolutely all specialties confirmed by the government (that is, in legal higher educational institutions; we spoke about fraudulent universities above).

The most popular government funding program is ITEC. It stands for "Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Program". Thanks to it, more than 800 Russians got the opportunity to study free of charge at Indian universities.

Special programs

Not so long ago, applicants from Russia had the opportunity to study in the Indian state under a special ITEC program. This program is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their knowledge and skills. Anyone who wants to improve their skills can also take part in the program. Course duration varies from 14 days to 52 weeks.

The main advantage of this program is that the participant does not need to pay for the flight, food and accommodation. You can participate in the program by filling out and submitting an application form. You can apply for the program at an Indian diplomatic office.

Participants of the program receive a scholarship in the amount of 5.0 thousand Indian rupees. The amount of the scholarship cannot be called large, but this amount is enough for everyday needs. Considering that everyone can face unexpected expenses, it is necessary to have personal money with you. On average, it is enough for a student to have 300 US dollars / month.

How can a foreigner apply to an Indian university?

Getting higher education in India is becoming more and more popular among foreign students, including Russian ones.

The step by step process is as follows:

make a request to the educational institution through any modern facilities communications,
choose the faculty you are interested in,
apply for admission (by regular mail, online, other way),
if approved, fill out a temporary application, pay an entry fee of €1000 + €100 service fee,
receive a certificate confirming the fact of admission,
apply for a student visa at the Indian Embassy by presenting a certificate of admission,
fill out a permanent student questionnaire and send it along with a package of documents.

Established requirements for candidates for admission to the University of India:

age from 25 to 45 years;
recommendation from the employer;
knowledge of English.

Knowledge of English is required, since the entire program takes place in it.

Required documents

For admission to an Indian university, you do not need to take additional entrance tests. And the Russian school certificate corresponds to the local twelve-year school education.

A package of documents for the student's application form (translated into English):

Depending on the situation, additional documents may be required.

Obtaining a student visa

Every person who wants to study in India is required to apply for a student visa. This document entitles the student to stay in the territory of the Indian state during the entire period of study.

To obtain a visa, the applicant undertakes to prepare the following documents:

high-quality photocopy of the first page of the civil passport;
quality photograph;
bank account statement (the amount should vary from 1.0 to 2.0 thousand US dollars);
letter of confirmation of admission to the university;
a photocopy of the tuition fee receipt.

On average, a student visa document is issued from 5 to 10 days. But if at least one of the documents caused complaints, then the processing time may be delayed. Anyone who goes to study under the ITEC program is entitled to a free visa application. All others are obliged to pay the visa and consular fees.

Scholarships and grants for foreigners

The Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) is the coordinator of free education programs. Scholarship applicants can choose 3 institutions for admission. Students entering the Faculty of Arts must provide an audio or video recording of their performance. Future engineers provide the results of exams in physics, chemistry, mathematics. The amount of the scholarship is 160-180 USD/month. The minus of the program is long-term training (from 1 to 4 years) without the opportunity to go home.

For foreigners, the Technical and Economic Cooperation Program (ITEC) is also available.

Fellows are paid for travel, accommodation and medical insurance. Some courses require a bachelor's degree. Monthly scholarship - 376 USD / month.

You must be under the age of 45 to qualify. Universities set their own requirements for academic achievement. The disadvantage of the program is the lack of classes in traditional Indian arts and the short duration of the program (from 3 weeks to 3 months).

Residence in the country

Living and eating conditions in the Indian state differ significantly from those in the United States and Western Europe. Many students note a significant difference in nutrition. In India, neither pork nor beef is eaten. Only poultry meat can be found in the market. Instead of bread, merchants offer to buy cakes.
A rather difficult situation has developed in healthcare. Finding some medicines in pharmacies is quite problematic. There is no rigorous intensive education in India. The educational process is often interrupted due to numerous holidays.

Advantages and disadvantages of education in India


pros	Minuses
During the study period, there is an opportunity to get to know the rich Indian culture, as well as to improve the knowledge of the English language.	A mandatory requirement for students of faculties of various fields is a good knowledge of the English language.
Low cost of education.	Low standard of living.
Low cost of living.	There is no way to work while studying.
Indian educational establishments give a good level of training. IT-specialists-graduates of Indian universities are in demand today in many countries of the world.	After receiving a diploma, the chances of employment in one of the Indian companies are very small.
Scholarship and grant programs are actively developed, which means that there is a high probability of free education.
You don't need to take an entrance exam to enter a university.
Foreign students are provided with a free hostel or hotel room.

Studying in an Indian school is very different from what we are used to in Russia. Our niece Diana goes to school in Goa and we had the opportunity to learn about schools and study in India first hand.

Vacation Indian schoolchildren, frankly, are not spoiled. There are only three vacations, not four, as we have, and they are not very long.

Schoolyard

The academic year in India starts at the beginning of June.

In 1914, the 1st semester began on June 4th and lasted until October 18th.
The second semester is from November 7 to April 30 vente de cialis pas cher.
Holidays - from October 20 to November 6
Christmas holidays - from December 23 to January 1
Summer holidays - from May 1 to June 3 And that's it! Stop resting!

Schools in India are different. There are state ones, where children study for free. There are international ones, you already have to pay there. Diana goes to an international school - Kids Kigdom International school. There teaching is in English.

Diana is five years old and still in prep school. In a year she will go to primary school to first class.

At the school gate

Classes in preparatory school starts at 8 and lasts until 12 noon. Children bring food and drink with them, there is no such thing as a canteen at school. There is an extension, but also some interesting and uncomfortable. After 12, the child must be picked up, and brought back by 2 pm. That is, if the parents work, they still will not be able to send the child to school in the morning and pick him up in the evening. It is necessary to somehow agree and pick up the child from school in the middle of the day, feed him, and then take him back. And what is the meaning of extension?

The price for the international school that Diana goes to is 3,000 rupees per month. This price also includes educational materials. And for two sets of school uniforms you need to pay separately. Uniform is compulsory in Indian schools. In public schools, uniforms are blue and white.

Each international school has its own uniform. Diana has a very beautiful uniform - a red shirt, a checkered sundress and red socks. The boys have the same thing, only instead of a sundress - checkered shorts.

Lessons begin to be assigned already in the preparatory school. Diana does homework every day in the evenings.

I used to think that our poor schoolchildren are loaded to the very worst! And Indian schoolchildren start studying earlier - at the age of five they already have a tough schedule plus homework, and they rest much less than ours.

The education system in India, of course, is far from perfect, but given the huge population of the country (more than 1 billion), it is not the worst. Of course, it happens that among people of mature age there are completely illiterate people who do not know how to write and read. This is especially true of villages in the wilderness, to which civilization has almost not reached. In this case, instead of a signature, a person simply puts a finger with a specially applied powder on paper, in short, leaves his imprint.

The government of India understands the importance of improving the education of the population and calls it paramount. The authorities are taking real steps to raise the educational level of citizens. Each adult resident pays a special tax of three percent of their income. A special fund has been set up to help build new schools, buy computers for classrooms, pay salaries to employees of the educational system, and so on. Virtually every village has a working school. Not so hot, of course, but still better than nothing ...

Over 150 million schoolchildren study in schools (more than the entire population of Russia)

Where is the tuition fee, where is it not. In any case, free secondary education is guaranteed to everyone. In addition, children are fed in schools - no matter how poor the school may be. This is a school in our village Mirjapur

This is the school kitchen

The menu, in general, is the same everywhere - even in a rich school, even in a college, no matter where: rice, masala, water. Banana leaves are traditionally used instead of plates - cheap and environmentally friendly

Schools get better

Or richer. This school was built and maintained by a Christian church in the provincial town of Nuzwid. I’ll tell you about the church in India separately, but now I’ll just note that they don’t sell booze and tobacco there, they don’t take away children’s sanatoriums (thus returning to themselves the monasteries taken by the Bolsheviks), their patriarchs don’t drive limousines - maximum, on a scooter, but either by bike or on foot. But they build schools and hospitals and maintain them - for everyone, and not just for Christians. Really, fantasy?

In schools, children learn 3 languages: English, Hindi and the language of their state. The most revered subject is mathematics. This is a holy tradition, the science of sciences. Who, if not knows, would be correct to call Arabic numerals Indian, since they were invented by the Indians, and the Arabs adopted them during the period of their rule. Zero, by the way, was also invented by the Indians. And here's what it looks like classroom in a rural school

There is no furniture - there is an explanation for that, in addition to the material one. Everyone knows about the Indian monsoons - for three months in a row it rains and floods everything around

For adults - problems

And the kids - buzz! At school - the pool was formed! So in the village it makes no sense to acquire furniture: it will disappear after the first rain. And so - the water came down, well, study further

First-graders write with crayons on slate boards, and when they go on vacation, they hang them on trees in the school yard

Every school has its own uniform. Firstly, this is in order to erase caste differences, as the great Mahatma Gandhi bequeathed

Secondly, if one of the boys in the city mischiefs - so that you can immediately see what school he is from - an educational factor, so to speak

If a child does not have a uniform (well, the family is completely poor), no one will kick him out of school, of course. Well, no, it's not. But in this case, the children try to have at least some uniform element of clothing - well, at least a tie or ribbons in their hair - so that the colors of their school

Well, the most “academic”, or something, is the white color

The standard form of college students, the so-called "Punjab"

If the school is far away, the children are transported by bus. The windows are barred so that they do not protrude

In the city, schoolchildren ride on such "skulbass":

Pedals are turned not by excellent students, and not by losers, but by rickshaw owners

In addition to ordinary schools, there are many cadet corps in India, in the summer they go to army field camps, where they live and train with soldiers

Girls in such buildings study too

At the end of the school year, huge posters with portraits of the best students are hung out in the cities. Parents are terribly proud if the child is on such a list.

What else surprised me was the unusual friendliness of the children and the absence of aggression. For two years I have never seen the boys fight at least once, honest pioneering! They can argue, swear, stomp, but to fight - I have never seen

And this is Hanuman, a supernumerary watchman of the Mirjapur school. The devil knows how, but he unmistakably distinguished students and teachers from all others. And if an outsider appeared, he immediately raised a wild cry!

Well, that's the whole story. The most ordinary villages, provincial towns. But then I looked at them and sadly recalled our rural schools, which, due to reforms, are closed simply in batches. Well, fuck us your Cambridges, if only our Ministry of Education officials could learn from them ...