Equity and Education in India: Policy Issues and Challenges March 5th - 7th 2009

Department of Education (Central Institute of Education) University of Delhi

The Department of Education (Central Institute of Education), University of Delhi, is organizing a Seminar to discuss various dimensions – policy issues and challenges which need to be examined to ensure equity in education in India.

The challenge of equity and education in India, at the present juncture of structural adjustments and liberalization is the most important issue for the policy makers, academicians and socially concerned citizens. In comparative terms, our country has made considerable progress towards achieving the goal of educational development since independence. But the changing circumstances of our economy, polity and society are demanding a time bound effective and participatory strategy to be able to empower the formulation through meaningful interface between the experts and activists at many levels. It will contribute to the process in near future.

We acknowledge the initiatives taken by academicians across the country in order to provide equal opportunities to all the sections of society across various sectional divides. However, there is still wide gap along the lives of gender, socio-economic and even health status. We cannot however, overlook the disjunction between low rates of school enrollment and equity education, between insufficient basic health service and poverty, between the absence of equal opportunities and presence of education, and between gender and education.

In the past, we have adopted educational programs which have been implemented with evident lack of dynamism. The blame lies not only with the lack of generosity of developed countries that like to assume the mantle of donorship, but also with the developing countries. The sufficient investment in people and affirmative action to the benefit of the poor are needed. Countries that do not acknowledges its citizen, suffer dearly and lag even further behind. In this situation, the Central Institute of Education is organizing this national seminar with a `human face’ and such an exercise would be meaningful if we are able to achieve through a creative dialogue between academicians, policy makers and civil society representatives.

Following are the sub themes of the National Seminar on “Equity and Education in India: Policy Issues and Challenges”

1. Understanding Equity includes the following dimensions: • Constitutional Equity • Socio-political Equity • Economic Equity

2. Equity education for the Marginalized section: Dalits , Adivasis the Religious minorities and the Challenged children.

3. “Ushering “equitable education through Inclusive education

4. Does Globalization provide Equal avenues education for all!

5. How far has Curriculum develop equity.

6. Equitable allocation of funds and resources 7. Politics of Equity:

8. Policy Formulation and implementation

9. Education form children’s Perspective of different sections in answering equity.

10. Freedom of Teachers in education sphere.
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