A Pedagogue's Romance ─ Reflections on Schooling

The Indian education system impacts all of us directly or indirectly at various points in our lives. We are often critical and angry, and readily offer solutions that nobody seems willing to implement. In this selection of shorter essays, Krishna Kumar takes us into what he calls the 'inner world of education'. We go inside schools and training institutes, delve into the public examination system and textbooks, to analytically distinguish the system from the concept of education. At the same time, the author alerts us to the wider cultural, economic, and technological factors that influence the system and its key players-the students and teachers.

This second edition of A Pedagogue's Romance presents some additional material along with an updated introduction. Full of creative ideas presented in an accessible style and with passion, the volume will attract teachers, decision-makers, activists, guardians, and students.

Krishna Kumar is Professor at the Central Institute of Education, University of Delhi. He is a former Director of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi. His other books include Politics of Education in Colonial India, Prejudice and Pride, and Battle for Peace. Several of his books are in Hindi, including the latest, Choori Bazaar Mein Ladki, which won a prize for creative non-fiction. He has also written for children, most recently, Pooriyon ki Gathari, published by the National Book Trust.