“I know what is the value of education”-Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Right to education is the fundamental right that every child of India enjoys. Free and compulsory education is the birthright of every child born on the soil of India; it automatically means that there is no need to pay for education. However, this situation has attained with a price. The marginalized lower caste paid the price. B.R. Ambedkar is the finest example and the survivor of the discriminatory practices of the Indian society. There was a time when Indian society deliberately limited access to education. Only upper castes were allowed to attend school, and many castes (Shudra and atishudra) were denied the opportunity of an education. Ambedkar had to face many unforeseen situations, many times drastic, harmful and humiliating, only to attain education. His philosophy of education reflects the experiences that he lived, faced and overcome. In this article, the researcher has tried to explore Ambedkar’s views on education. He is counted among the makers of modern India. He considered the denial of education as an injustice to the down-trodden. Ambedkar used a constructive and structural approach to reform the society. Education to him was the sole base of political, social, and economic revolution. He focused on making education free and compulsory by incorporating article 45. He also emphasized women education and education that builds the character of individuals. Ambedkar’s philosophy is influenced by societal problems that he faced.
Key words: Education; Dalit; Ambedkar; empowerment; Indian Society.
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