Education as Empowerment: an Ambedkarite perspective on Resilience and Mental Health among Students
Keywords:
Education, Empowerment, Resilience, Mental health, StudentsAbstract
Education has long been recognized as a powerful instrument of individual and social transformation. Dr. B.R.Ambedkar viewed education not merely as a means of acquiring knowledge but as a tool for empowerment, dignity, equality and liberation from social oppression. His famous call, “Educate, Agitate, Organize,” emphasized the transformative role of education in fostering critical consciousness and social participation. Although Ambedkar did not explicitly discuss resilience and mental health in contemporary psychological terminology, his educational philosophy contains several principles that contribute to psychological well-being, self efficacy, resilience and social inclusion. This paper examines Ambedkar’s view on education and explores their relevance to resilience and mental health among students in the contemporary context. It argues that education, as envisioned by Ambedkar, promotes self respect, agency, social connectedness and hope, all of which are essential components of resilience and mental well-being. The paper further highlights the implications of Ambedkarite educational philosophy for educational institutions, mental health promotion, and student development.
References
[1] Ambedkar, B. R. (2014). Annihilation of caste. Navayana.
[2] Kumar, A., Bapuji, H., & Mir, R. (2022). Educate, agitate, organize: Inequality and ethics in the writings of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. Journal of Business Ethics, 178(1), 1–14.
[3] Karunyakara, L. (2021). Ambedkar’s vision of education: A historical survey.
[4] Salagare, M. B. (2018). Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s views on education. Rani Channamma University.
[5] Dhaked, P. (2025). Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s contribution in education (specially focused on educational institutions). Educational Trend, 1(2), 52–55. Retrieved from https://ejournals.ncert.gov.in/index.php/ET/article/view/3608
[6] World Health Organization. (2022). World mental health report: Transforming mental health for all. Geneva: World Health Organization.
[7] Ungar, M. (2018). Systemic resilience: Principles and processes for a science of change in contexts of adversity. Ecology and Society, 23(4), 34.
[8] Mathur, M., & Thakur, P. (2022). Resonance of Ambedkar’s vision of social democracy in Bama’s Karukku: Empowerment of Dalits through education. Journal of Social Inclusion Studies, 8(2), 182–196.
