The Smart and the Dumb: The Politics of Education in India

Education is often hailed as the key to escaping poverty, enabling socio-economic mobility, and offering a pathway to dignity. But what does education truly mean to different people? Whose needs does it serve, and what does it accomplish?

In a world where globalization and formal education have become unquestioned ideals, the benefits have been disproportionately reaped by a privileged few. As a result, the very concept of education is being redefined, and its promises are being reexamined. Today, education is no longer just about attending school, earning credentials, and securing employment—there is much more beneath the surface.

This book delves into what that "more" entails by exploring the intricate connections between education, caste, class, and gender, and how these factors influence the promises and outcomes of education. Through poignant stories—from the children in conflict-ridden Manipur who long for guns instead of toys, to the impact of a toddy-tapping ban on educational choices in Tamil Nadu, to the heartbreaking decision of a grandmother in rural Rajasthan to marry off her fifteen-year-old granddaughter to a seventeen-year-old truck driver—the book paints a vivid picture of the political and cultural forces shaping education in India.

By documenting these fractured realities, the book provides a nuanced understanding of how education is both a powerful tool for change and a reflection of the deep-seated inequalities that persist in society. It challenges readers to think critically about the role of education and the broader social dynamics that influence who benefits from it—and who is left behind.