Educational Anthropology, Tribal Education and Responsible Citizenship in India

Abstract

Despite much anthropological research on education in India, the importance of educational anthropology is not properly acknowledged. This article argues for fuller recognition of educational anthropology as a helpful tool to generate well-informed grassroots research throughout India. It connects this argument to concerns that education among tribal and other marginal communities reflects problems over acceptance of diversity. Educational anthropology could help to support sustainable, people-centric educational policies, curriculum construction, and above all better-focused teacher training. Its interventions can provide cohesive glue for nurturing responsible citizenship for all Indians and would facilitate better integration of peripheral tribal communities and other minorities as responsible citizens of a huge nation that claims to be based on respect for composite culture and unity in diversity.