The Dept. of Poetic Justice explores the various structures for justice that exist within educational institutes. The first chapter of the project revolves around the court system at the Anubhutee Learning Centre, Pune, India, which I came across by chance while talking to a friend who’s daughter attends the learning centre. 

Over years, there have existed various social structures through which the ideas of justice have been practiced, and different cultures over time have dealt with conflict, and conflict resolution in different ways.  

The Court at ALC follows a similar structure to it’s namesake, and when I came across it, I found it to be a fascinating exercise in self-governance for the children, but was concerned about what they were learning from that structure. Being motivated by fear, and not sensitivity, I felt it was teaching them to ignore the problems that had lead them to establish this court. Rather than understanding the consequences of actions, it followed the linear idea of crime and punishment. 

And so I proposed that I would like to spend some time at the learning centre, observing and participating in their daily activities, and also engaging in dialogues surrounding the topic of justice and modes for conflict resolution. 

Through our conversations, we proposed fundamental changes to this structure, which I was later told had a positive impact on the proceedings of the so-called Court. 

These conversations have been compiled and will be made available in the form of a book, as well as audio records on the website. 

I hope to continue my explorations of justice within educational institutes around the world. It is also possible, that as we progress, new formats for conflict resolution are attempted and their efficacy observed, and so either they are improved upon, or removed, and new methods tried.