Children’s Perception of Sarkar: A Critique of Civics Textbooks

Where do we locate the value of political education in our country, which has largely been imparted under the category of civics? Since textbooks are on possible site for finding answers, this study attempts to explore what textbooks talk about. At the same time, it draws elements from children’s everyday life and their own political understanding. When one synthesizes these twin aspects, one is able to come up with a critique of the ideals of Sarkar in the civics curriculum. Sarkar to these children is not merely the institutions of the government at the village, district, state and central levels, it is also the hierarchy of those associated with political parties and those who hold power.