INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS IN MODERN CLASSROOMS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF STUDENT PERCEPTION IN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into modern education represents a significant paradigm shift, driven primarily by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This study explores the incorporation of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into secondary school education and investigates how students perceive these systems in government and private institutions.Employing a few mixed methods approaches, this study surveyed 200 students (100 from government and 100 from private schools) and conducted focus group discussions and classroom observations.This report presents a comparative analysis of student perception of IKS in government and private secondary schools of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. Results indicate substantial differences between the two school types in terms of student awareness and engagement with IKS. Current data suggests that overall student awareness of IKS remains moderate across demographics, indicating a gap between policy aspirations and ground-level understanding. However, when IKS is effectively integrated, students report enhanced self-awareness, emotional resilience, ethical reasoning, and increased engagement, highlighting the potential for positive affective and cognitive outcomes.