Why do our children stop asking questions?
In this provocative and eye-opening book, educator and thought leader Vinothkumar Subramanian takes us on a powerful journey through the silent collapse of curiosity in Indian classrooms. The Death of Why is not just an indictment of an outdated education system—it’s a call to action for parents, educators, and policymakers who dare to believe that learning can be joyful, relevant, and future-ready.
From crowded classrooms in Tamil Nadu to child-led schools in Finland and project-based learning in New Zealand, the author paints a global canvas of what education could—and should—look like. He exposes how India’s system, still shackled to a colonial blueprint, prioritizes compliance over creativity, memorization over meaning, and rank over relevance.
With a unique blend of storytelling, research, and personal insight, Subramanian uncovers:
• Why most Indian children lose their spark by age ten
• How exams have become tools of fear, not growth
• What we can learn from global systems that trust teachers and children
• The rise of alternative education models quietly transforming lives in India
• Simple steps every parent and educator can take to revive inquiry and wonder
Written in a voice that is equal parts fierce and compassionate, this book doesn’t just ask “what’s wrong with our system?”—it asks what kind of future we’re building when we silence the one question that matters most: why?
If you are a parent tired of rote, a teacher craving purpose, or a citizen who believes in nurturing thinkers—not just toppers—The Death of Why is your invitation to begin again.
Perfect for readers of:
Ken Robinson (Creative Schools), Sugata Mitra, Gijubhai Badheka, or anyone questioning the purpose of education in a changing world.
Join the movement. Reclaim the question. Rediscover the joy of learning.