“Classroom management is not just about preventing disruptions; it’s about fostering engagement, curiosity, and a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.”
Classroom education has its own history which dates back to thousands of years when grouping of students together used to be done at one place for the purpose of learning. History tells us that ancient Greece considered education in a gymnasium essential to childhood development. Ancient Rome had a tuition-based system. Notably, in ancient China the first schools were created as far back as the Xia dynasty (2070 BC-1600 BC). Here the schools were divided between those that took the children of the nobility and those where children of ordinary citizens studied.
The history of classrooms in India dates back to ancient times, with evidence of formal education systems in ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshashila. These institutions featured large lecture halls, libraries, and residential quarters for students and teachers. The Gurukul system, where students lived with their gurus (teachers), was another prevalent form of education.
In this system of education, students would live, study and work near a guru (teachers). The classes were often held outdoors or in simple structures. History has even recorded the modern school system invented by Horace Mann, the Secretary of Education in Massachusetts, at the beginning of the 19th century.
It was during the British colonial era, the modern classroom system was introduced in India. Classrooms were designed with benches, blackboards, and other teaching aids, and the focus shifted to Western-style education. This period saw the rise of formal education systems, with classrooms becoming an integral part of the learning process.
Today, in modern India, classrooms have evolved to incorporate technology, innovative teaching methods, and diverse learning environments. The classrooms range from traditional setups to modern, technology-enabled spaces, with a growing emphasis on student-centered learning, digital literacy, and inclusive education.
In this issue of SHAECH, we have extensively dealt with classroom learning covering its past, present and future. There are articles which describe the effective classroom management strategies benefitting both teachers and the students. The ultimate goal is to ensure that both the students and the teacher get the most out of the classroom experience.
In addition to this month’s theme about classroom management, we have discussed topics about mental health, stress management, money matters etc. We fervently hope the readers will enjoy the read.
Remarkably, classrooms shape our future and its effective management through integration of advanced technology tools is inevitable.
-Sajjad Bazaz
Remarkably, classrooms shape our future and its effective management through integration of advanced technology tools is inevitable