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The traditional Indian education system since ancient times has emphasized on imparting two types of knowledge – first is material knowledge that develops real-life problem-solving skills and second being the spiritual knowledge that helped in all round development of and individual.

This research paper explores the convergence between Swami Vivekananda's vision for national regeneration through education and the objectives outlined in India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for school education. Swami Vivekananda, a revered spiritual leader and thinker, emphasized education as a means to awaken the innate potential of individuals and foster a sense of national pride and cultural identity. His philosophy underscored the importance of character building, holistic development, and the integration of moral and ethical values in the educational process.

By drawing connections between historical perspectives and contemporary policy frameworks, the paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue on educational reform in India. It suggests that aligning educational practices with the foundational values proposed by visionary leaders like Swami Vivekananda can significantly impact the nation's socio-cultural and economic landscape.

The main objectives are as follows:

1.  To analyze the educational teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

2. To explore the relevance of the teachings of Swami Vivekananda in the formation of National Education Policy 2020 in context of School Education.

Previously some articles and research papers have been published in this field. Here are some reviews given:

Soy (2023), analyzed NEP 2020 in the light of Swami Vivekananda’s educational philosophy and studied the educational views and ideas of Swami Vivekananda and discussed the similarities of his educational views and the aims with NEP 2020.

Rakshita (2023), explored the relevance of the educational philosophy of Swami Vivekananda to the current Indian education system and she used secondary sources to conduct the study and employed content analysis methodology for interpreting the acquired data.

Kaushik (2023), analyzed Swami Vivekananda’s educational philosophy and NEP 2020. In this research paper, he studied the views, ideas and educational thoughts of Swami Vivekananda in relation to NEP 2020. Further, he find out his contribution and relevance of Vivekananda’s educational ideas in context of modern education system.

Bhardwaj & M.D. (2023), studied educational thoughts of Swami Vivekananda and it’s futuristic relevance. This study identified the gap in the modern education system which is  hurdle for the holistic development of youth. The study emphasizes man-making by developing Values, Character, and Manifestation of the inner self. The outcome of this study recommended the holistic approach by connecting the gist of the educational ideology of Swami Vivekananda and the crux of the New Education Policy 2020.

Saranyadevi & Balasubramaniam (2021) discussed the education in the vision of Swami Vivekananda. In this paper, they explored Swami Vivekananda’s educational vision and linkages in reference to the New Educational Policy on Education (2020).  

Educational Teachings Of Swami Vivekananda:

The teachings of Swami Vivekananda provide significant insights into the field of education, highlighting its transforming and comprehensive qualities. Swami Vivekananda has considered education as the expression of inherent perfection in human beings. To fulfil this objective, he stressed on making fundamental changes in education and making it practical. According to him, education should be such that character is formed. The mind should develop and the person should become self-reliant.

 

Fig 1.2 Function of Education according to Swami Vivekananda

Education as the Manifestation of Perfection already in man and a tool for Self-Realization and Self-Discovery

Vivekananda argued in favour of an educational framework that supports both processes. According to him, a genuine education ought to enable people to see their own potential, comprehend who they are, and work toward becoming better versions of themselves. In a world where the pursuit of true understanding and self-awareness is eclipsed by rote learning and standardized testing, Vivekananda's teachings give insight into holistic education, which empowers students to discover their passions, interests, abilities and priorities. This will help students feel more fulfilled and purposeful in life.

Education for holistic development of an individual- He believed that true development encompasses the harmonious growth of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person's being. He laid stress on:

1. Physical Health is the foundation for overall well-being. He advocated for the practice of yoga, physical exercise, and a balanced diet to maintain a healthy body.
2. Intellectual Growth education, critical thinking and the exploration of diverse ideas and perspectives.
3. Emotional well-being and inner strength is important for navigating life's challenges. He promoted practices such as meditation, self-reflection, and cultivating positive emotions like love, compassion, and gratitude.
4. Spiritual Awakening as it helps to know the ultimate aim of human life. He believed in the innate divinity of every individual and advocated for the realization of one's true nature through spiritual practices such as meditation, selfless service (seva), and devotion (bhakti).
5. Integration of Body, Mind, and Spirit: Vivekananda stressed the integration of physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of life. He believed that true development cannot be achieved by focusing solely on one aspect while neglecting others.

Education for Values and Character Building-Development of values and character are essential for personal growth as well as for nation’s growth. It includes ethical conduct, self-discipline, courage and confidence, compassion and service, respect for diversity, positive thinking and attitude, self-reflection and self-improvement. Vivekananda emphasized the importance of leading a life guided by ethical principles. He believed in the significance of honesty, integrity, and righteousness in all aspects of one's conduct, both in personal and professional life.

Education for integrating spirituality and science-Vivekananda placed a strong emphasis on the educational integration of spirituality and science. According to him, true knowledge includes both a greater awareness of the spiritual aspects of existence and an empirical grasp of the material world. Vivekananda's demand for a holistic approach to knowledge resonates well in today's more specialized and fragmented educational scene, reminding us of the interconnection of all subjects and the necessity to build a broad awareness of the world.

Education for Inclusion and Equity-Swami Vivekananda was a strong advocate for promoting inclusivity and equity, both in society and in spiritual matters. He believed in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual and emphasized the importance of treating all human beings with respect and compassion. Education should promote unity in diversity, respect for all faiths, and empowerment of the marginalized

Education for liberation and freedom from all evils(open-mindedness): According to Vivekananda, the soul's fundamental nature is freedom. Experiencing the spiritual journey is essential. He said in the Parliament of Religions that "each must preserve one's own identity while assimilating the spirit of the others." Education should be such that it prepares individuals for liberating oneself and fellow members from the evils of the society it can be slavery, corruption, environmental hazards, illiteracy etc.

Vivekananda wished to encourage everyone to cultivate a liberated body, mind, and spirit. Freedom was the key concept for him. People could create a flawless society if they became perfect by their free actions. However, he believed that independence was essential to achieving ones Inherent uniqueness. He also maintained that equality and individual freedom are the only things that can lead to the social advancement of the majority. To put it briefly, his definition of freedom is comprehensive and cannot be understood in a vacuum from the context of society.

Relevance of Teachings Of Swami Vivekananda In Formation Of National Education Policy 2020

The imprint of Swami Vivekananda's educational philosophy is clearly visible on National Education Policy 2020. NEP 2020 made several important changes in school education to encourage skill development, experience-based learning and logical thinking which can play an unprecedented role in establishing India as a global knowledge superpower. He wanted “to set in motion, machinery which will bring noblest ideas to the doorstep of even the poorest and the meanest.” For this he emphasized the significance of education as a catalyst for national development.  According to him, “Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world”. He believed, “Education is the manifestation of perfection; already in man”. His teachings on education are based on the principles of holistic development, character building, and spiritual values, have had a profound impact on India's educational landscape.

Education according to Swami Vivekananda

 

The National Education Policy 2020 aims at:

Early childhood care and education:

"A human being is the greatest being in the universe, and this human body is the greatest body in the universe," Vivekananda declared. There is no being greater than man, not even animals or angels. By demonstrating the superiority by presenting himself as the pinnacle of God's manifestation, he aimed to awaken the spirit in man and provide comfort to a hurting and perplexed humanity.

Foundational literacy and numeracy:

In this context National Education Policy 2020 makes following steps:

1. Achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy in primary school by 2025.
2. Set up a National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
3. NCERT and SCERTs will develop a interim 3-month play-based ‘school preparation module’ for all Grade 1 students, consisting of activities and workbooks around the learning of alphabets, sounds, words, colours, shapes, and numbers, and involving collaborations with peers and parents.
4. A national repository of high-quality resources on foundational literacy and numeracy will be made available on the Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA).

Curtailing Dropout Rates and Ensuring universal access to education at all levels

1.     Reduce curriculum content so as to enhance critical thinking among the learners.

2.     Enhance existential learning in teaching learning environment.

3.     Provide more flexibility in course selection and Provide more choices.

4.     To promote multilingualism in school education.

Curriculum and pedagogy in schools

1. Restructuring of the pedagogical and curricular school education framework from 10 + 2 to 5 + 3 + 3 + 4.
   
2. School education for the age group of 3-6 years that was not in earlier policies.
3. Developing a National Curriculum and Pedagogical Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (NCPFECCE)  by NCERT in two parts namely 0-3 years old and 3-8 years old. 

Vivekananda believed that the biggest obstacle to progress and development in any field is dogmatism. As a result, he urged people to embrace an open mind and a logical perspective on religion. This logical approach of open mindedness could be instilled in young minds through education. Education was the means to put thoughts into actions. So he encouraged education that was based on experiential learning and helped him face the life challenges. So the curriculum is provisioned to be designed on following lines as per NEP 2020.

Teachers

Swami Vivekananda emphasizes that a teacher should possess following qualities in order to be a successful teacher, he/she should be a:

1.     Continuous learner

2.     Be humble and have love for his subject

3.     Good leader

4.     Spiritual motivator

5.     Guiding lamp

The national Education Policy 2020 tries to inculcate the following by following given steps:

1.     Recruitment and Deployment:

2.     Service Environment and Culture:

3.     Continuous Professional Development

4.     Career Management and Progression

5.     Professional Standards for Teachers

6.     Special Educators:

7.     Approach to Teacher Education

8.     Equitable and Inclusive Education

Equitable and Inclusive Education

The National Education Policy 2020 envisions to following in this regard:

1. To integrate curriculum with subject skills and capacities.
2. To formulate national curriculum framework for school education (NCFSE) 2020-21.
3. To create national textbooks with covering local content.
4. To transform assessment from road memorization to competency based evaluation.
5. To set up a national assessment center PARAKH- performance assessment review and analysis of knowledge for holistic development as a standard setting body under Ministry of Education for student assessment and evaluation and to undertake National Achievement Survey and guide the State Achievement Survey (SAS).

Stress on women’s education

Swami Vivekananda’s life shows the role of the mother in shaping a person’s personality. His childhood experiences with his mother, in times of poverty that he faced in later ages after the death of his father. The renunciation practices followed as a result of his genetic attire from his grandfather Durga Das and his spiritual development because of his mother’s interest in Philosophy physics of development and historical development free from prejudices and discrimination. As said by Mahatma Gandhi that, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a whole family.” This statement seems true in the case of Vivekananda. His mother had an important role in shaping his personality. Swami Vivekananda owes his deeds and familiarity to his mother.

Efficient Resourcing and Governance through school complexes

Swami Vivekananda compared human mind with a monkey who is always restless and incessantly active by his own nature. According to him an uncontrolled mind leads to all the negativities in life and a controlled and saves us and frees us from such thoughts. For this the government and community should collaborate to build upon a system that helps children to learn to control their mind. For this effective utilisation of resources and governance should be there.

Education standard setting and accreditation for school education

“A wholesome curriculum which imparts culturally approved value to the young minds is also critical in character-building. It is not sufficient to teach what is good or bad, but it is also needed to explain why they are so and how to discriminate between them. The classroom should be the arena for teaching of value and ethics.”

For this proper standard should be set and accreditation should be given on that basis

“The great secret of true success, of true happiness is the man who asks for no return the perfect unselfish man is the most successful.”

  Inclusion and Equity:

1.     Support for gifted students or students with special talents.

2.     Equitable and inclusive education for all.

“You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of the Gita.” (Vivekananda, 1897)

Swami Vivekananda emphasized on helping children discover their inner potential to understand in which field they can excel whether it is academic or non-academic sphere.

“It will not do merely to listen to great principles. You must apply them in the practical field, turn into constant practice.”

So he has emphasized the importance of basic understanding of general principles and

“Pay attention to the means of work as to its end. All secret of success is there to pay as much attention to the means as to the ends.”

“Education is not the amount of information that we put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested, all your life. We must have life building, man making, character   making assimilation of ideas. If you have assimilated five ideas and made them your life and character, you have more education than any man who has got by heart   a whole library...”

“Emphasized the importance of holistic development, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth.” He advocated for the integration of modern scientific knowledge with traditional wisdom.

He stressed on the significance of moral and ethical values in shaping an individual's character. Swami Vivekananda also stressed the need of equality of all men. Inequality stands as the greatest bar for the promotion of Brotherhood among all men. He voiced his great concern against all inequalities social, political and economic that shattered the unity of human society

Multilingualism

‘Thought transference- A man here is thinking something and that thought is manifested in somebody else in some other place. Operation not by chance a man wants to send a thought to another mind at a distance and this other mind knows that a thought is coming and he receives its exactly as it is sent out. Makes no difference. What goes and reaches the other man and he understand it. Mind were an isolated something here and my mind were an isolated something there and there was number correct connection between the two. How would it be possible for my thought to reach you? This implies there is continuity of mind as yogis call it.’

“The utility of science is to bring out the perfect man and not let him wait and wait for ages just a playing in the hands of physical world like a log of driftwood carried from wave to wave and tossing about in the ocean. These signs want you to be strong, to take out the work in your own hand instead of leaving it in the hands of nature and get beyond this little life.”

Swami Vivekananda popularized the concept of freedom among the people. Liberty of thought and action is the only condition of life, growth and well-being where it does not exist the man, the race and the nation must go down and any clan or caste or nation or institution which bars the power of free thought and action of an individual so long as it does not injure itself other is devilish and must go down

Believed in education for all, irrespective of caste, creed, or gender, and emphasized the importance of social justice.

Vivekananda: Encouraged Indians to embrace a global outlook while being rooted in their culture.

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