Dalit Freedom Network Canada

English Education - The Pathway to Dalit Empowerment 

Dalits have requested that their children be educated in English-medium schools, recognizing that the greatest opportunities in Indian society are offered to those who have been educated in English, as well as their own local dialect.

Without an English-based education Dalit students can never advance to higher-level English schools or gain entrance to a Central Government university.  All the Central Government-run high educational institutions use English as their medium of instruction.  And all Central universities and medical schools teach only in the English language and admit students only through English language entrance examination papers.

Dalits rarely have the opportunity to be educated in English medium schools.  As a result, the educational discrepancy between the English-educated Brahmins and the illiterate Dalits only serves to widen the socio-economic gap between the castes.

Without education the Dalit children cannot take advantage of the opportunities to compete in the growing India and global economy.

Therefore, Dalit leadership has invited Indian Christians to provide the Dalit children with a quality English education in the Christian worldview. In response to the Dalits quest for education, Operation Moblization India (OM India) has begun building 100 Dalit Education Centres (DECs) throughout India. Dalit Freedom Network Canada is partnering with OM India to establish these education centres. These centres provide the primary educational needs for an average of 250 children per centre. Education is given to the children regardless of caste, creed or faith. This education is built on high academic standards and is based on the Christian view about God, human dignity, spiritual renewal, and social equality.