Introduction History of Education

writing was extremely limited. Hence, tribal education was mostly oral, and young individuals were made to memorize teachings to preserve them. Furthermore, this education was not accessible to the entire tribe but was limited to the elite class. This elite class primarily consisted of two groups: tribal leaders, nobles, and their youth from the upper class, and the priestly class, which assisted people in performing religious rituals and ceremonies. Ordinary individuals were excluded from this educational system (Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. 6, pp. 317-18). According to this, the second era is referred to as the Classical Culture period, or the ancient historical era. During this time, literacy had significantly increased. However, as far as education was concerned, the general pattern remained largely the same as in the earlier period. Along with informal education, formal education also began to emerge. However, this education remained primarily restricted to the elite and higher castes. The higher caste or elite class was considered to consist of two groups: 1. The leaders and nobles who were the political heads of tribes or nations and were responsible for governance. 2. The priestly class who performed religious rituals, managed places of worship, and conducted other family or social ceremonies, such as marriages, in accordance with religious principles.