Ethnicity: a continuum on Education

This paper seeks to develop a clearer understanding of the role of education in the formation of ethnicity. The basic meaning of the term ‘ethnicity’ is that it gives a distinct identity to a community and distinguishes one community or an individual from another. It has been found that ethnic consciousness or ethnic identity has been in increase even in the most developed countries of the World. Ethnic strife and conflict is the topic of the day everywhere. Education being one of the most potent components of development it can be considered that it does play a very distinguishing role in the formation of ethnic identity. Therefore, in this paper an evaluative study has been made to know how and in what ways the education is helping in building up the ethnic awareness amongst the people. This study raises two questions. (1 How did the educational initiatives undertaken by the Governmental and non-governmental agencies helped in enhancing social integration and social mobility of the ethnic minority groups? (2) What impact did educational (both negative and positive side of education) initiatives had on the ethnic minority groups?