The Smart and the Dumb: The Politics of Education in India

‘When racial and sexual injustice have been reduced, we shall still be left with the grave injustice of the smart and the dumb’—Thomas Nagel Education achieves many things—it pulls people out of poverty, enables socio-economic mobility and promises a route to dignity. But what does education mean to different people, what does it do and whose needs are being met by education? Even as globalization and formal education have established themselves as unquestionable truths, only a privileged few have cornered its benefits. In this process, education is being reconceived and its promises are being rewritten. Today, there clearly is more to education than going to school, getting credentials and getting a job. This book is an attempt to capture what this ‘more’ is, by exploring education’s connections to caste, class and gender and understanding how they affect the promise of education.

About the Author :
Vishal Vasanthakumar was born in Chennai and studied mechanical engineering before switching paths to teaching, which he did for six years. He is currently enrolled for a PhD in Sociology at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar.

Review :
'The Smart and The Dumb is a powerful critique of contemporary Indian education that exposes a stark paradox: while more people than ever seek education's empowering potential, opportunities for marginalized groups are shrinking. Through vivid stories from his journey across India, Vishal guides us through this complex landscape, revealing the disconnect between promise and reality, shedding light on hidden mechanisms that perpetuate disadvantage, and questioning the fairness and effectiveness of existing systems. This powerful and thought-provoking read will spark critical conversations about education for real empowerment. A must-read for policymakers, educators, and anyone concerned about building a more equitable society.' - Dr Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Member of Parliament, South Chennai, Lok Sabha 'By seamlessly blending storytelling and analysis, Vishal V. gently compels the reader to review received opinions about the formal education system and challenge our assumptions about such things as success and merit. Quietly persuasive in its approach and remarkably humane in the telling, The Smart and The Dumb confronts the most fundamental questions about education—the purpose it serves and what needs it meets. Above everything else, this book on education is just that—an education.' - Mukund Padmanbhan, Former Editor, The Hindu 'The Smart and the Dumb is a probing book on Indian education—on both its promise and its unevenness. Indian schools are as diverse as India itself, and Vishal Vasanthakumar writes with compassion and care about the challenges that both students and educators face across the country. His book will be an essential primer for anyone looking to rethink the basics of how children learn in India.' - Samanth Subramanian, author and journalist