New Delhi: Students of government-run residential schools for tribal children have been asked to debate how India’s indigenous knowledge is being diluted by modern education, a subject that is seen as a core agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

During the EMRS National Cultural & Literary Fest and Kala Utsav 2025, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) wants such schools to debate “Modern Education is Diluting Indigenous Knowledge Systems”, reported The Telegraph.

At present the NESTS, which is an institution under the Union ministry of tribal affairs runs more than 400 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) across the country.

As per the guidelines issued by NESTS, students of classes IX to XII will be participating in the debate, that will take place in November.

“In the debate competition, separate winners will be declared for ‘for the motion’ and ‘against the motion’ in both Hindi and English categories,” says the guidelines issued by NESTS.

“The purpose of the education system is to develop good human beings capable of rational thought and action, possessing compassion and empathy, courage and resilience, scientific temper and creative imagination, with sound ethical moorings and values,” says the NEP document.

However, academics, however said that the subject of the debate is based on a flawed idea that modern education is against the indigenous knowledge of India.

“The topic has been (approached) by looking at indigenous knowledge in the narrow prism of Brahmanism. The vedic tradition of education and knowledge creation has thrived on the metaphysical concepts of Brahma, Parambrahma, past life, karma. The gurukul system was exclusionary as the majority of the people were restricted from entry,” Y.S. Alone, a professor in the School of Arts and Aesthetics at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) told the newspaper.

Alone added that the subject of the debate sends a message that modern education runs contrary to tribal knowledge. According to Alone, Shramanic traditions were better alternatives to the gurukul system.

“As an alternative, the Shramanic traditions like Buddhism and Jainism welcomed all, provided education for production of necessary resources and helped the people to contribute meaningfully. The Shramanic tradition is in sync with the modern education system, which works for the welfare of humanity and for eradicating superstitions. If modern education corrects the dogmas and obscurantist practices, it is good,” Alone said.

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