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facilities, decent pay scale, and local communities. writing is a mix of frustra- the inspirational message
and a supportive environ- Community members tion with field realities of the book which also
ment, but even despite a demonstrate pride in with the romance of want- draws attention to large
lack of all of this. In ‘The government schools that ing to bring about change. scale government apathy
Ideology of Education’ genuinely work to improve It is titled Is Bahakti hui towards education.
(pp. 116-118), he discusses the learning outcomes Duniya ko Sambhalon In the final chapter
two studies that argue that of children. Building Yaaron, which although titled ‘The Importance of
there’s no substitute for communities of teachers, Behar does not translate being Stubborn’, Behar
public education in pro- through teacher volunteer into English, means ‘man- stresses the importance of
viding quality education at groups, has proven time age this delusional, misled zidd — firmness of resolve.
the grassroots. and again to be effective world’. It takes tremendous
Two important school in improving pedagogic Presented at the end resolve to break barriers of
practices that can be inputs. of the innumerable field caste, gender, corruption,
culled from the anecdotes This book is divided experiences carefully nar- and resist the pressures of
that Behar shares into six parts. Loosely rated by the author, it is a the bourgeoise. “We must
highlight the importance grouped under themes, cry from the heart, high- all be ziddi together, with
of community. School- every anecdote, in which- lighting that enormous a shared moral purpose…”
community partnerships, ever part it may have commitment and zeal is he concludes (p. 372).
where community been placed, can be read required to work in the Although he wrote it in
members contribute independently. But Part field of education. There 2016, the condition of
towards improving the VI, the conclusion, is most are people with excep- education at the grassroots
quality of education that intriguing. The writing in tional calibre and pas- hasn’t changed. We must
their children receive, Part VI brings to the fore sion for teaching who are continue to be ziddi
has greatly improved the mix of emotions that bringing about real change together.
relationships between Behar has experienced in in the lives of children toolika wadHwa (The
teachers, administrators his extensive travels. The across the country. This is Book Review)

december 2023 educationworld 163