Reimagining civics

Vinita Singh
This is such an opportune time for this issue. The year 2019 marks the 70th year of the Indian Constitution and our Republic! It could be a time to use many of the ideas here to create activities and events that help students connect deeply with the fundamental principles that join us all, in all our diversity and uniqueness!

No democracy for city-dwellers?

Milind Bokil
India has a remarkable system of local self governance. But this is true only of rural India. Despite a few attempts we have not been able to replicate this system of governance in the Indian cities. Why so? It is time that we trained and gave power to our city dwellers too to contribute to the functioning of the State.

The State and us

Ashwini Kulkarni
As citizens living in a country there will often arrive situations where we have to interact with the various institutions of the State; instead of furthering a culture of fear and corruption in our dealings with these institutions let us know of our constitutional rights and use them appropriately to better our lives.

Debating democracy

Suhas Palshikar
What is democracy? Under what conditions does it thrive? Given India’s social fabric and the actions of its governments and citizens how successfully has democracy survived in this country?

An “open” path to learning life skills

Asheema Singh
In an attempt to make social science more relevant to the learner, National Institute of Open Schooling has developed learning materials that focuse on enhancing learners’ life skills. Here is a look at their new textbooks.

Making civic education relevant

Usha Raman
We live in confusing times. While there’s no doubt that life is better on some counts (higher lifespan, more literacy, widening opportunities, more choice), it’s worse on others (climate change, socio-economic inequality, war). It’s hard to know who is responsible and how things can change.

Nurturing decision-makers

Ankitha Cheerakathil

School is a microcosm of the society. Training children while at school to work together and take decisions for the common good will help them participate responsibly in the society tomorrow. School Participatory Budgeting is an exercise that helps teachers achieve this.