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09/10/23 07:12 AM IST

UGC to train over 1,000 teachers to teach Indian knowledge systems from degree level

In News
  • UGC plans to start credit courses on Indian culture and traditions in both UG and PG programmes; training programme covers Vedic texts, philosophy, vocabulary, and research methods.
About the programme
  • The main areas being covered are parampara (tradition), drishti (perspective), and loukik prayojan (modern relevance) of ancient Indian knowledge systems. The six-day training has been divided into four parts.
  • The first part deals with an overview of the subject, including an introduction to pre-14th century Vedic texts, followed by the philosophical foundations of IKS like the Darshana Shastra (Vedic Philosophy).
  • Vocabulary lessons, containing words which cannot be translated, such as karma and dharma, will be covered in the third part.
  • In the fourth and possibly most important part, teachers are being trained in the methods of teaching IKS, such as Tantra Yukti, which is a research methodology and innovative pedagogy.
  • The UGC decision is in line with the National Education Policy, 2020, which directed that knowledge from ancient India and its contributions to modern India must be part of the curriculum.
  • It also suggested that an “engaging course” on IKS be offered to secondary school students as an elective.
  • Competitions may be held in schools for learning various topics and subjects through fun and indigenous games.
IKS Cell
  • The IKS cell has been established under the Education Ministry to promote interdisciplinary research on all aspects of IKS and preserve and disseminate the same for further research and societal applications.
  • It began training faculty members from universities across the country in July, and expects to conclude by October-end.
  • The training programmes are being conducted in six cities — Nagpur, Chennai, Varanasi, Srinagar, Guwahati, and Delhi — each covering the surrounding States.
  • Training sessions are already over in the first four cities, and will be conducted in Guwahati and Delhi later this month.
  • The faculty at each centre were divided into four batches of 45 members each, and can now conduct training courses in their respective institutions.
Significance
  • The University Grants Commission aims to train 15 lakh teachers in the next two years.
  • Through these training programmes, we are also dispelling the limitations of Indian knowledge systems.
  • The IKS cell has been tasked with creating more than 40 discipline-specific courses.
  • The Commission also plans to onboard artistes and experts from various streams not formally connected to mainstream academia, to provide students with their experience and expertise.
Source- The Hindu

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