Education and conflict in Nepal: possibilities for reconstruction

Author: Pherali, Tejendra

Source: Globalisation, Societies and Education, Volume 9, Number 1, March 2011 , pp. 135-154(20)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This paper analyses the nexus of the 'People's War' and education in Nepal and argues that education was one of the main causes of the violent conflict. Despite 'modernisation' efforts and increased participation, schools in Nepal continued to embody socially and culturally prejudiced values and institutionally legitimised the inequitable practices through the education system. Drawing on qualitative interviews with educational stakeholders from six diverse districts across the country, this paper shows how manifold deficiencies in the education system contributed to generate and fuel the 'ideology-led' Maoist rebellion and subsequently how schools thus became a key battlefield of the violent conflict.

Keywords: schools; education; conflict; peace-building; Nepal

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14767724.2010.513590

Affiliations: 1: Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

Publication date: 2011-03-01