ABOUT THE BOOK
fjrigjwwe9r0pp_Books:Description
Why, despite repeated attempts of introducing mega
policy programmes and legislations across the country, do significant gaps
remain in educational statistics across different groups? Why, year after year,
do the surveys on the education status of India divide states into high-and
low-achieving categories? Why is the debate surrounding education unable to
transcend from quantity of inputs to quality of outcomes? Numerous attempts
have been made to comprehend and contextualise the consistent and recurrent patterns
that characterise the course of education development in India. Still, the
debate of inclusion in education continues to overshadow the entire course of
education development. The book examines different dimensions of educational
inequalities persistent in the country, specifically in the Northwest region,
which represents a miniature India, stressing the need for a more pragmatic and
targeted approach.
To highlight the extent of disparity, the author offers
a three-tier analysis of the primary and secondary data. Disparity at the
national level is examined, followed by inter- and intra-state disparity in
Northwest India and, lastly, educational development at district level is
assessed based on quantitative data. Delving further into the nuances of
creating an inclusive, equitable education system, the book enquires into the
issues, problems and factors leading to the present educational scenario of selected
districts from each state and offers an interesting and thought-provoking
interpretation of the views and opinions expressed by the executors of policies
on varied themes related to educational development.
It is this in-depth analysis of quantitative data and
innovative approach of including the voice of district-level officials that
makes this book insightful reading not only for policy planners and
researchers, but for students of education and sociology, research scholars,
teachers, educationists and all those who strive to make a difference in the
country`s goal of achieving the universal aspiration for Education For
All.
ABOUT Author
fjrigjwwe9r0pp_Books:aboutAuthor
Dr.
Madhulika Sharma is a Technical Expert at the Education Division of the
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Government of
India, New Delhi. Previously she worked as a Senior Research Associate at the
Department of Groups with Special Needs (DEGSN), National Council of
Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi. Her key research
interests are Policy and Governance Issues in Elementary Education, Inclusive
Education vis-à-vis Inequality and Exclusion in Education in India, and
Children`s Right to Education. She has published her research work in
peer-reviewed journals, in edited volumes and newspapers.
This book is a revised version of the author`s doctoral
thesis, titled “Educational Development in Northwest India with Special
Reference to Literacy and Elementary Education: A Critical Study”, which was
pursued at the Department of Education and Community Service, Punjabi
University, Patiala. Its content is of academic persuasion only. The views and
perspective expressed herein are the author`s own. No part of it reflects,
remotely or partially, the views of the NCPCR or the Government of India.