In the year 1948, the old system of teaching in a new avatar called Swaminarayan Gurukul appeared in the land of Rajkot and since then its branches have spread
across the country. Krishnacharan Swamy, Principal of Bangalore’s Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul International School speaks to Vyas Shivanand of City Express about the Sanskar offered in the school and how they have infused wisdom and modern technology into education.
What is special about the education being offered by Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul?
The uniqueness of the gurukul is Sanskar, which is a mix of culture and heritage. Propagating true education in the world is the noblest work for all and we believe that only worldly education is not real education, but education along with ethical values and spirituality is real education. So, through our mission which is to teach Vidya (modern education), Sadvidya (traditional education) and Brahmavidya (spiritual education), we have infused ancient wisdom and modern technology into education.
How many gurukuls do you currently operate and how many more are you planning?
We have fifteen branches across the country. Hyderabad is the head office of the Southern region.
Bangalore is the tenth branch and Gulbarga has come up recently. In the coming year, Bidar will join the list and in the next year, we will be opening up a branch in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. In next five years, we are planning to open ten more branches across
the country.
Which syllabus do you follow?
We offer Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) as well as International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) syllabus which is affiliated to the University of Cambridge, UK.
The syllabus differs from branch to branch.
You impart Hindu culture among students. Does that restrict children from other communities to join the gurukul?
In fact, we have students following Christianity, Islam and Buddhism but when they are in the campus they have to follow
the gurukul tradition.
Anybody can get admission but on the condition that they follow our rules and regulations. Without this kind of environment, we cannot offer what we set out to provide.
Do you have a coeducational or girls’ school in your gurukul spread?
Currently, we don’t have any education center for girls though spiritual training centers are available. But plans are on.