Overview

Education has always been an arena of contestation. More so, in our times, when we are witnessing the resurgence of the debate on the meaning of education- its social objective, the politics and ideology, and above all, its relationship with the larger social structure. The present volume throws new light on this stimulating debate in the sociology of education. It examines the theoretical literature, reveals the socio-political history of education in India, and finally, concentrate on school education. While evolving a critique of the dominant/mainstream pattern of schooling, it explores the trajectory of alternative education. It is this critical engagement with education that makes the volume immensely meaningful to the students and scholars of sociology of education, as well as school teachers, textbook writers, educationists and concerned parents.

Avijit Pathak is Professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His other books include Modernity, Globalization and Identity: Towards a Reflexive Quest; Recalling the Forgotten: Education and Moral Quest; The Rhythm of Life and Death; Indian Modernity: Contradictions, Paradoxes and Possibilities and Discontents of a Culture.