Showing papers in "Contemporary Education Dialogue in 2004"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that quality has always been integral to the concept of education, deriving from what is considered worthwhile as an aim or experience in education, and they trace the history of the term and its use in the context of universalisation of education and the growing importance of democracy as a political choice, and economic globalisation.
Abstract: The term ‘quality’ as used in recent education discourse has its origins in the factory floor and production, as a measure of control of the features of merchandise produced. In the form of measureable specifications, it is used by national bureaucracies and international aid and lending agencies as lending itself to scientific management of and monitoring investments in education. Going back to the concept of ‘quality’ as the essential character of a thing, the paper argues that quality has always been integral to the concept of education, deriving from what is considered worthwhile as an aim or experience in education. The paper traces the history of the term beginning with important changes in the concept of education influenced by education thinkers and moving to the role of the concept in the context of universalisation of education, the growing importance of democracy as a political choice, and economic globalisation. The final section of the paper draws out implications for teacher professionalism,...
55 citations
TL;DR: It is generally believed that schooling is an antidote to the problem of exploitation of children as mentioned in this paper. Yet there are life-worlds where children's work cannot be equated with child labour, and school an...
Abstract: It is generally believed that schooling is an antidote to the problem of exploitation of children. Yet there are life-worlds where children's work cannot be equated with child labour, and school an...
17 citations
TL;DR: The authors examines the discourses, visions and ideologies that have shaped the ideas about civics, citizen and human rights education in India over the last one-and-a-half decades.
Abstract: This paper examines the discourses, visions and ideologies that have shaped the ideas about civics, citizen and human rights education in India over the last one-and-a-half decades It tries to assess the congruence of the aims of human rights education with the existing understanding andpractice of civics in India
13 citations
TL;DR: The Getting Children Back to School Case Studies in Primary Education, edited by Vimala Ramachandran, this article, is a step in this direction, which not only documents but also celebrates the efforts and achievements of committed individuals and organisations in difficult situations.
Abstract: Postcolonial societies take a while, even after becoming politically independent, to recover their self-confidence. Despite everything, the residue of imperial glamour and achievement continues to bewitch and dazzle and makes us diffident in acknowledging our own achievements. But 50-plus years are long enough. It is time that we paid serious attention to documenting our own initiatives and innovations and learning from them. Getting Children Back to School Case Studies in Primary Education, edited by Vimala Ramachandran, is a step in this direction. There have been other similar case studies in the past. This attempt stands out in that it not only documents but also celebrates the efforts and achievements of committed individuals and organisations in difficult situations.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate the role of theatre as an enabling resource to address classroom diversity with possible negotiation of individual identity, using the medium of theatre to present multi-layered representations of life at school that honour the voices of children, the author attempts to generate a compelling concern to use methods of theatre and drama in pedagogy as theatre naturally directs adults towards knowing children's socio-cultural selves.
Abstract: This paper primarily demonstrates the role of theatre as an enabling resource to address classroom diversity with possible negotiation of individual identity. Inequity, linguistic multiplicity and ethnic plurality are the defining characteristics of the Indian mosaic. Several homogenising forces dominant in schools often negate the multiplicity of socio-cultural identities. Tensions between social diversity and academic conformity impose a problematic contest for children's cultural confidence, making schools sites that impact the lives of children in unintended ways. By using the medium of theatre to present multi-layered representations of life at school that honour the voices of children, the author attempts to generate a compelling concern to use methods of theatre and drama in pedagogy as theatre naturally directs adults towards knowing children's socio-cultural selves. Through the processes of theatre educators revisit the experience of childhood, reorienting their own adult psyches towards the spir...
9 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored the relationship between everyday practices and mathematical understandings of working class children in three different settings: schooling, newspaper vending and paan selling, and found that the vendors, although constrained by their lack of formal mathematical knowledge, have a competent understanding of the mathematical principles and computations that their everyday practices entail.
Abstract: This study explores the relationship between everyday practices and mathematical understandings of working class children in three different settings: Schooling, Newspaper Vending and Paan Selling. Children were compared on their knowledge of the number system and their competence and understanding in solving a set of mathematical word problems. Quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed that the vendors, although constrained by their lack of formal mathematical knowledge, have a competent understanding of the mathematical principles and computations that their everyday practices entail. Schoolchildren demonstrate a more mechanical application of rules. Supported by ethnographic descriptions, the article attempts to understand these differences within the larger socio-cultural contexts.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a field study in Madhya Pradesh examined what they understood of three basic themes in civics, i.e., the formation of an elected governing body, the role of the teacher, and the authority of teachers.
Abstract: Are schoolchildren able to follow what civics textbooks try to teach? This field study in Madhya Pradesh examined what they understood of three basic themes in civics—the formation of an elected go...
4 citations
1 citations
TL;DR: The book could also have been better edited as mentioned in this paper, and several typographical errors (even in the preface) could have been avoided, as could statements like 'we ought to try to improve our performance on both prevention and punishment effort' (Preface: xvi, in the context of juvenile justice).
Abstract: The book could also have been better edited. Several typographical errors (even in the preface) could have been avoided, as could statements like 'we ought to try to improve our performance on both prevention and punishment effort...' (Preface: xvi, in the context of juvenile justice). Certain sections are too crammed with information: better spacing and formatting might have helped In holding the attention of readers.
1 citations
TL;DR: Gadbabaajhala as discussed by the authors is part of a great tradition in child's play that ran aground against the flood of rhymes and child play, exported to the colonies great by Britain, that offered external markers of s ta tus b u t robbed children of spontaneity and affective engagement.
Abstract: G adbaajhala* is a grand declaration ... news of an impossible happening in the moral order of the day. It isn't a simple disorder, bu t a veritable bungling. But Gadbadjhala is neither an invention nor perhaps a discovery. It is part of a great tradition. A titanic in child's play that ran aground against the flood of rhymes and child's play, exported to the colonies great by Britain, that offered external markers of s ta tus b u t robbed children of spontaneity and affective engagement. 'Ring-a-ring-a-roses' and 'humpty dumpty ' marginalised 'akkar bakkar bhambay bo', mobOising for their own establishment the massive support of a pedagogic authority respectful of fashion and the market. Prevalent indigenous play-verses in local languages somehow survived, bu t the players turned shy of their possession and public performance. 'Akkar bakkar bhambay bo' went into hiding, surviving through a child-to-child network of communication. Gadbadjahala. is a rescue operation. It is also a limited effort to
1 citations