The elephant in the room?

Aditi Dhammachakra
The only way to have truly inclusive schools is to ensure that education equips children and adults with the kind of critical thinking that is necessary to dispel false beliefs. This will help teachers tackle difficult questions about caste and gender issues.

Cast(e)ing out education

Aditi Dhammachakra A recent report by Human Rights Watch has brought to light everyday instances of discrimination against Dalit, Adivasi, and Muslim children in primary schools. The report reminds us that caste and tribal status is invoked repeatedly in schools Read More …

What are truly secular schools?

Aditi Dhammachakra
What are truly secular schools? Can religious practices such as prayers that are conducted in schools be allowed to continue? In such a scenario, how can we bring about educational reform? How can we create more inclusive schools, since most of the times, the sources of exclusion are religion, caste and gender? This article puts forth some arguments on this sensitive subject.

What do we want: Prisoners or Preceptors?

R S Prasad
The practice of asking teachers to surrender their certificates that is followed by some schools is an issue that needs to be debated seriously. This sends out wrong signals to teachers and does not create an empathetic and nurturing space for them. Principals and managements of schools must explore more positive ways of engaging with the teacher.

RtE 2009: Cementing inequalities

In our ongoing debate on the RtE Act, Simantini Dhuru goes on to explain why the Act may not change the state of government schools.

Feeling the RtE ‘bite’

So far a majority of our articles on the RtE debate have featured the alternative school stand, this times article looks at the debate from the other side. Padma Sarangapani responds to some of the issues raised by the alternative school network.

Spaces for difference

Read the continuing RtE debate in Teacher Plus. This is the perspective of yet another person working with an alternative school.

FAQs on the RtE

The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 was passed by the Parliament in August 2009, and after receiving Presidential assent immediately thereafter, it was notified for implementation from April 1, 2010. The 86th amendment that provides the children Read More …

RTE Act – Issues in implementation

Indian education is slowly coming to terms with the RtE even as the debates continue. Adjustments and compromises are being made both by the government and the various stakeholders. The ongoing RtE debate in Teacher Plus.