Smaller Citizens: Writings on the Making of Indian Citizens 🌼

I am reviewing Krishna Kumar's book Smaller Citizens: Writings on the Making of Indian Citizens, which is an important book that explores the relationship between Indian education and citizenship very well (Kumar, 2021). This book was published by Orient Blackswan in 2021. This 149-page book is a valuable contribution to education and society which everyone must read. This book does a great job of changing our perspective (Kumar, 2021).

The author of this book, Krishna Kumar, is a famous teacher, writer, and education theorist. He is a Professor of Education at Delhi University and has also been the Director of NCERT earlier. He has written famous books like The Politics of Education in Colonial India, What is Worth Teaching?, and Prejudice and Pride (Kumar, 2021). His unique perspective on education and society is the biggest strength of this book.

This book contains 18 short essays or articles that have already been published on platforms like The Hindu, Indian Express, and Economic and Political Weekly, and this book is a collection of those essays (Kumar, 2021). All these essays try to understand Indian society through the lens of education and show how education shapes identity, gender roles, and social inequalities (Kumar, 2021). For example, Studying Childhood, Education Girlhood and Rurality, and Modernity and Education directly link childhood and girls' education with social values and roles (Kumar, 2021). On the other hand, essays like The Logic of Children's Right to Education and Regimentation and Nationalism show the impact and influence of policies and nationalism on the education system (Kumar, 2021).

All these essays focus on issues of equality, education, and poverty in the post-welfare state situation, which highlight the problems of inequality and poverty (Kumar, 2021). Essays like The Death of a Small Boy and Leela Dube's Poser look at caste-based issues and education from a critical view (Kumar, 2021). Another interesting part is essays like Peasants as Citizens and The Essentialized Village, which reflect the struggles of rural India and its citizens (Kumar, 2021). 

The author's writing style is filled with social, cultural, and grounded understanding, which gives a new perspective to the field of education and makes the readers think (Kumar, 2021). She has explored the relationship between gender and memory through essays like Adolescent Voices, Remembering a Baiga Woman, and The Temptation to Take a Picture. His essay A Pedagogy of Freedom and Peace gives us an optimistic view of how peace and equality can be promoted through education (Kumar, 2021).

Readers should understand that the education process is not just about learning; it is a powerful force for social change, as emphasized in this book (Kumar, 2021). Krishna Kumar highlights that the Indian education system emphasizes obedience over creativity and critical thinking (Kumar, 2021). This system prepares students to follow rules and accept authority rather than freely express their ideas. This issue originates from the colonial era when the British designed an education system focused on preparing obedient employees (Kumar, 2021). Unfortunately, this legacy has persisted even after independence, with rote learning and strict discipline being prioritized in schools. The book explores how the real goal of education should be to foster the ability to ask questions and make informed decisions (Kumar, 2021).

A central theme is the colonial roots of India's education system. Under British rule, education was designed to support the empire, and even today, schools largely follow the same model (Kumar, 2021). Textbooks and curricula often promote conformity rather than encourage creative exploration (Kumar, 2021). The author suggests that to improve the education system, we should abandon colonial practices and adopt inquiry-based education (Kumar, 2021). Policies like the Right to Education Act, 2009 (RTE) theoretically promise free and accessible education, but the reality is different. Private schools are only for privileged families, while government schools are at the bottom in terms of resources and quality education (Kumar, 2021).

Krishna Kumar argues that unless systemic issues are addressed, inequality will continue to grow (Kumar, 2021). Policy reforms are needed to improve public education and empower marginalised communities (Kumar, 2021). The book also addresses gender and caste biases that are deeply rooted in the education system (Kumar, 2021). Making education accessible to girls and lower-caste students is a big challenge. Kumar says that an inclusive curriculum and equal opportunities can make education socially transformative (Kumar, 2021).

The author highlights that there are many paradoxes between policies and ground realities. For example, even after the ban on child labour, many children in rural areas are busy with household chores or in the fields, due to which they do not get access to education (Kumar, 2021). This problem shows that along with making policies, we also have to ensure their proper implementation, which targets the real problems of society (Kumar, 2021).

In the time of globalization, education is seen only as a tool for economic growth. Schools focus too much on creating skilled workers, but holistic development and critical thinking are neglected (Kumar, 2021). Kumar argues that this approach restricts students’ intellectual and social capabilities (Kumar, 2021).

Krishna Kumar’s Smaller Citizens is a thought-provoking book that explores the flaws of the Indian education system and its social impact (Kumar, 2021). The book is valuable for education policymakers, teachers, and scholars who want to understand the connection between education and citizenship. The author argues that education should empower students to become critical thinkers rather than focusing on obedience (Kumar, 2021). If the education system is reformed, it can become the basis of a society that encourages creativity and questioning (Kumar, 2021).

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References

Kumar, K. (2021). Smaller Citizens: Writings on the Making of Indian Citizens. Orient Blackswan.