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Is India’s Right to Education Act a Rightful Share? Distributive Politics, Education and the Media

Author

Listed:
  • Amanda Gilbertson

    (Amanda Gilbertson is the corresponding author (amanda.gilbertson@unimelb.edu.au) and is affiliated with School of Social and Political Sciences, Melbourne University, Australia.)

  • Ben Arnold

    (Ben Arnold is affiliated with School of Education, Deakin University, Australia.)

Abstract

India’s Right to Education Act contains a provision requiring private schools to educate underprivileged children without charging fees, hinting at a new politics of distribution akin to James Ferguson’s notion of the ‘rightful share’. Through analysis of coverage of this provision in English language newspapers, we argue that the role of the media in building legitimacy for a ‘rightful share’ is undermined: by critics’ representations of a market-based distribution of education as more just; by supporters’ use of traditional welfare language of compassion for the meritorious poor; and, by reports of implementation failures that undermine the value of social assistance. This points to the significance of universality, unconditionality and clear distributive logics to the concept of the ‘rightful share’.

Suggested Citation

  • Amanda Gilbertson & Ben Arnold, 2022. "Is India’s Right to Education Act a Rightful Share? Distributive Politics, Education and the Media," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 22(4), pages 374-391, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:22:y:2022:i:4:p:374-391
    DOI: 10.1177/14649934221084886
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