“Those in society who are in charge of schools must never forget that the parents have been appointed by God himself as the first and principal educators of their children and that their right is completely inalienable.”

Dumb statement....

robert ;-), understand well your knee jerk reaction because the word "God" showed up. The current overall perspective of students in theocratic seminaries (government schools) is that the government is 'god' with a complete inalienable right to do what it does (or wants to do). Being the first and principal educator of my children (home schooled), all but one started college at age 14 or 15. That one choose a slightly different path as was the parent's complete and inalienable right to encourage (each and every, any and all children).

In the traditional Hindu India,, a boy would be 'handed over' to a Guru a Teacher at the boy's eighth year,,, and the Guru would be all in all for the boy till the boy's adulthood of eighteen years ,,, then he would go back into the world --- equipped yo serve humanity .. either through marriage and household or as an independent Individual.

Vedapushpa, a few questions. I'm sure that was an excellent system and the societal plexus grew up around that concept. In such scenario, what were the parents on-going relationship? What was the parents on-going emotional, moral, financial and other responsibility to the child? How many students would or could a Guru accept as pupils? Were all castes expected to participate? Thank you for your comment, it just brought some questions to mind.