Members of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) and local Hindu youth come together in Rugby to debate ancient Gurukul education against the modern schooling system, with Rt. Hon. John Slinger MP in attendance for UK Parliament Week 2025.

As part of UK Parliament Week 2025, the Rugby branch of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) — commonly known as HSS UK — hosted a community debate exploring one of the most enduring questions in Hindu and Indian educational thought: does the modern education system serve children better than the ancient Gurukul system?

Held on 14th November 2025, the event brought together 70 Members of HSS (UK) alongside children from the Balagokulam, HSS UK’s weekly programme for young children that introduces them to Hindu values, stories, and culture through age-appropriate activities. Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) is a voluntary organisation dedicated to promoting Hindu values, culture, and community service among people of Hindu and Indian heritage across the UK, while encouraging active participation in British civic life.

A Local Debate with National Resonance

The Rugby event was attended by the Rt. Hon. John Slinger MP and Councillor Ramesh Shrivastava, reflecting the growing engagement between UK Hindu community organisations and Parliament during UK Parliament Week.

The topic held particular significance for John Slinger MP, who was closely involved in the “Early Education and Childcare” debate held in the UK Parliament in September 2025. His attendance allowed for direct comparison between historic Indian educational philosophy and ongoing UK education policy discussions — a rare and valuable bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary British politics.

What Is the Gurukul Education System?

The Gurukul system is the traditional model of education in ancient India, in which students lived alongside their teacher, or “Guru,” in a residential setting. Education in this model went beyond academics, placing equal emphasis on discipline, character development, and emotional wellbeing — principles that remain deeply influential in Hindu and Indian culture today.

Hindu Youth Debate Modern vs Traditional Education

What made the debate especially compelling was watching teenage participants approach the topic from multiple angles: some built their arguments using AI tools such as ChatGPT, while others relied purely on independent research and reasoning.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the importance of emotional intelligence and discipline in education — qualities many speakers felt are often missing from today’s mainstream schooling system, but which sit at the heart of the traditional Gurukul approach.

The Result

At the close of the debate, attendees voted on the motion: “The modern education system is better than the Gurukul education system.”

• 30 votes in favour of the modern education system
• 17 votes in favour of the traditional Gurukul system

About Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK) works to strengthen Hindu identity, values, and community across the UK through weekly local branch activities, youth programmes like Balagokulam, and events such as this one that connect Hindu heritage with wider British society. Dharma in Action shares stories like this one to celebrate and raise awareness of the positive work being done across the UK Hindu community.