A new and flexible approach to the schooling of children of the urban poor
is imperative. Field studies in Mumbai and Delhi have yielded the insight t
hat the reason for so many slum children not being in school has less to do
with their families' economic circumstances than with the school system's
shortcomings. The available evidence also suggests that the amount of learn
ing the average slum family pupil in India acquires in primary school falls
far short of what may legitimately be expected.