The Peoples' Institute for Re-thinking Education and Development

Walkouts Network

Today, those who have the good sense to choose to leave the dominant system of education are labeled by it as 'drop-outs'. This negative term connotes failing and incompetence, and is applied to those who don't fit in the competitive schooling or college system or the rat-race. We view the decision to walk out (or rise out) of formal educational structures/institutions, as a thoughtful and positive choice, in the spirit of satyagraha and non-cooperation. Far from signifying incompetence, walking out and walking on demonstrates intelligence, creativity and courage of conviction. It also exposes education for what is: a deep form of violence against peoples' minds, bodies and spirits, which cuts them off from nature, their family, communities, culture, work, expression, and themselves. Furthermore, walking out represents a strong form of dissent against the global political economy. It is a powerful indication of reclaiming control over one's own learning, and therefore, over one's own life. It is an important step in decolonizing ourselves and moving towards swaraj.

Indian Multiversities Alliance

The Indian Multiversities Alliance aims to generate meaningful responses to the deep crisis of relevance facing the Indian education system.