Page 66 - EW February 2025_Neat

Books

Purpose of THE SMART AND THE DUMB: THE not provided in a social
vacuum and can’t be
education POLITICS OF EDUCATION IN INDIA regarded as a simple
Vishal Vasanthakumar
process of going to school.
reflections PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE acknowledges the pivotal
The author
Rs.599
Pages 179 role of education and
HAT IS, OR its beneficial outcomes,
should be, the including bringing
Wpurpose of children out of poverty,
formal education? What enabling social mobility
are some of the salient For the author, in the Through seven and bridging cultural
effects of formal education contemporary globalised broad stories, the divides. But he also
in a social context char- context, education is author provides highlights the difference
acterised by deep cultural linked to the demands of a vivid portrait of between those who are
diversity and class differ- economic competition. cultural and political labeled as ‘smart’ and
ences? What are some of This often results in sus- processes that shape others considered as not
the ways through which taining hierarchies based formal education and so (reflected in the book’s
formal education can on the quality of education demonstrates how title). Overall, the book
undermine social hierar- one receives. Based on his education affects makes the point that
chies? observations of the con- these processes education is — or, ought
These are among the temporary Indian social to be — about serving
important issues this book context gained through his human needs, rather than
seeks to address, draw- travels countrywide, the children studying in elite children being simply
ing upon the author’s author attempts to analyse schools in a large city. shaped for the ‘knowledge
extensive travels to a large what this means in terms These actors participate economy’ or to secure
number of education of class, caste and gender. in a series of cultural employment. As such,
institutions across India. The book comprises events that reinforce it suggests the need for
Abundant research exists seven chapters, each based social hierarchies and rethinking the purpose of
in the field of the sociol- on seven broad stories produce valuable cultural education.
ogy of education. But the or themes seeking to capital. Reflecting on The Smart and the
politics of education is an understand how formal these characters and Dumb is a welcome ad-
under-researched area. education is dispensed at some of their education dition to the field of the
In the introduction, empirical level. The char- experiences, the author sociology of education,
Vasanthakumar alludes to acters in these stories are raises important questions and the rich empirical
the dreams and aspira- diverse in terms of social, relating to the impact details it provides makes
tions of millions of parents cultural, economic and of formal education it particularly useful. That
who enrol their children geographic location. upon issues such as said, the value of the book
in schools of all shapes, There’s a girl in a empowerment, social might have been enhanced
sizes and price points. distant village married off equality and ‘success’. with detailed reflection
Their major aspiration at young age; children in Through these stories, on what education ought
is that with educational a context defined by con- he provides a vivid to be in light of existen-
experience, their chil- siderable ethnic diversity portrait of cultural and tial questions such as the
dren will move upward and conflict; the mother of political processes that purpose of life and what it
socially and bag well-paid a child affected by ADHD shape formal education means to be a good human
jobs. Therefore, educa- (attention deficit hyperac- and demonstrates how being, a fulfilled person,
tion is sound investment tivity disorder); students education affects these and to live life in a truly
for making their children enrolled in entrance exam processes to make the meaningful way.
employable in the future. coaching institutes and point that education is YOGINDER SIKAND

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66 EDUCATIONWORLD FEBRUARY 2025