Role of Education in Peacebuilding in postcolonial Manipur

Abstract

Post-Independence education in India driven with equity, access, and quality education as its goal has undergone significant transformation; and understanding its evolution in India since independence sheds light on the achievements, opportunities, and challenges that have shaped the educational landscape. Education plays a crucial role in Peacebuilding in post-Independence India, especially in conflict-ridden states like Manipur, by promoting understanding between ethnic groups, fostering critical thinking, enabling individuals to resolve conflict, and creating a dialogue platform, which contributes to a peaceful society through addressing the root causes of violence. However unequal access to quality education, political instability, developmental gap between the hill and valley, identity polarization, social injustice, frequent disruption of ethnic violence and insurgency movement pose challenges to education and Peacebuilding in Manipur. The study employs descriptive and analytical approach as its methodology, and the paper examine: i).The role and challenges of education and Peacebuilding in Manipur, ii). Identify the strengths, weaknesses and gaps of education systems’ contributing to Peacebuilding in the volatile state political framework, iii).How the post-conflict political environment within the state affect the ‘success’ or ‘failure’ of education programmes for Peacebuilding? And the way forward.