Religion, Community, and Education

The Case of Rural Bihar

Religion-based educational disparities, especially relative educational backwardness amongst the Muslims in India, are the focus of serious debate. The 2006 Sachar Committee Report rekindled public interest and attention in this important issue. Yet, considerable gaps exist in our understanding of the dynamics of religion and access to education. In Religion, Community, and Education, Alam uses a spatial approach and multilayered analytical framework to understand educational disparities in schooling between the Hindus and Muslims in Bihar. The study draws upon national-level data as well as focused fieldwork carried out in Bihar's Patna and Purnia districts. This book highlights the larger historical trajectories that have shaped educational development as well as the forms of disparities therein vis-à-vis the minorities in India. It contends that the relative educational backwardness of the Muslims reflects underlying socio-economic patterns that are often overlooked. Thus, the Muslims should not be seen merely as homogeneous socio-cultural aggregates.