Concerns, Conflicts, and Cohesions: Universalization of Elementary Education in India

This volume presents India’s drive to universalize elementary education and the challenges facing the endeavour. The wide range of inequities and hurdles to access and attain minimum level of education across locations, gender and social groups, as well as the excluded and specially challenged sections are discussed here. The volume draws attention to faulty assumptions, persistent disparities and inadequate commitment to inclusive education that result in the neglect of pre-school, out-of-school, over-age and working children. Special concerns, especially of girls and socially marginalized groups are addressed. Education experts, scholars, researchers and practitioners offer theoretical perspectives, and identify systemic constraints, institutional rigidities, and areas of action for ensuring the spread of good quality education. Detailed case studies draw attention to systemic deficiencies in school management and administration of the education system, with particular emphasis on levels of learning, quality of education, teacher motivation and teacher competency. Concerns, Conflicts and Cohesions will be of interest to educationists, practitioners, school administrators, as well as education policymakers who are looking for practical and innovative solutions to advance elementary education.