Pre-Buddhist India: A Political, Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey of Ancient India Based Mainly on the Jataka Stories c6.s2.35

c6.s2.35

Of course it is inconceivable that a single individual could manage a school of 500 pupils or so. He was helped by a staff of Assistant teachers (piṭṭhi-ācariya). And only the most advanced or senior pupils (jeṭṭhantevāsikā) were appointed as Assistant teachers.¹¹ The senior pupils also rendered help in teaching work. We read of a teacher appointing his oldest pupil to act as his substitute.¹² Another teacher of Takkasilā, while going to Benares on some mission, says to his chief pupil: "My son, I am going away from home, while I am away, you are to instruct these my pupils."¹³ These senior pupils or monitors (anusatthārā) were held in respect by other pupils.¹⁴ By being associated with teaching these seniors soon became fit to be teachers themselves. Prince Sutasoma being the senior pupil soon attained to proficiency in teaching (nipphattim pāpuṇi) and becoming the private teacher of his comrade in the school soon educated him, while the others only gradually acquired their learning.¹ We may also note, in this connection, that the teacher was not a single individual, but had a family of his own (ācariyakulam),² having wife and children.³ And it was quite usual for the teacher to give his daughter, if he had any, in marriage to his eldest and advanced student,⁴ and he might establish a special test for the purpose.⁵