A research-based book entitled,
Dalit Education in Bihar: A Study of Exclusion, authored by Fr. Dr. Jose Kalapura & Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Vishal was released, Mar 12, 2018 at Gandhi Sangrahalaya Hall, Patna. The book is jointly published by Jesuit-run Xavier Institute of Social Research (XISR) and Janaki Prakashan, Patna.
Releasing the book the Chief Guest Professor Emeritus Anirudh Prasad said, the book is a felt need of today as to study the impact of many programs of the Government for improving education of Dalits in Bihar.
The book covers all aspects of Dalit education in Bihar and is based on a field research in five districts using more than 1500 sample respondents of Dalit households and children representing five numerically large Dalit castes who comprise some 80 percent of the Dalit population in Bihar, said Dr. Prasad formerly with Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi.
Congratulating the authors and XISR for their contribution, he said, the book is a scientific study and would be a valuable asset to Social Sciences in general and Dalit literature in particular.
Commenting on the book, the discussant Dr. Pushpendra, Chairperson of the Patna Centre of Tata Institute of Social Studies said the book is an important contribution on school education in Bihar in general and of Dalit children in particular.
The review of literature section of the book is very illuminating on the relationship of school education with democracy, equality and inclusion, he said.
The study makes specific inquiries into different dimensions of exclusion of Dalit children from school education, he said.
Co-author Dr. Ashutosh Vishal gave the summary of the findings in the study. Earlier, welcoming the guests, the Director of XISR Jesuit Fr. Jose Kalapura said the present book is the 8th in the Bihar Subaltern Study Series and is the 40th publication of XISR.
Media Desk, XISR, Mar 12, 19