Inequality of educational opportunity

“INEQUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY ; AMONG KARBIADOLESCENT GIRLS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DWARBAGORIAREA OF KALIABOR SUB-DIVISION NAGAON DISTRICT ,ASSAM

INDIA

Dr. Ruba PhukanM.A., M.Ed., LL.B., Ph.D.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONAL OF THE STUDY: Duwarbagari Mouza is situated

under Kaliabor Sub-Division. It is in the eastern region of Nagaon

District of Assam. It is about 81 kilometers from Nagaon and 35

kilometers from kaliabor . In the West and North threre is

Kajirangha and in the East there is the Golaghat District and

in South there is Karbi Anlong District.

INTRODUCTION

THE PROBLEM

The pursuit of inclusive development raises questions and

challenges for academics, practitioners and policy makers.

Inclusive growth or development is a multi dimensional concept. It

includes lower incidence of poverty, access to school, increased

and improved access to higher education, skill development, better

opportunities for both wage employment and livelihoods, improvement

of basic amenities like water, electricity, roads, sanitation and

housing etc. Particular attention needs to be paid to the needs of

the SC/ST and OBC population, women and children and also

minorities and other excluded groups. To achieve these goals in all

these dimensions requires multiple interventions, and success

1

depends not only on introducing new policies and government

programmes, but also on institutional and attitudinal changes.

In this 21st century, we are now more aware than ever that our

intellectual achievements and education system which support them

are independent. An education system, therefore, should be such

that it enables us to meet the new challenges of equality of

educational opportunity .and threats . In this context, not only

men, but women should also be given the same priorities to meet the

future challenges through the medium of education.

Women education in India plays a very important role in the

overall development of the country. It not only helps in the

development of the human resources, but in improvement of the

quality of life at home and outside. Educated women not only tend

to promote education of their girl children, but also can provide

better guidance to all their children.

Development plans as a prime focus, a social movement requires

to be revived to create the necessary atmosphere for the spread of

girl’s education.

Secondary Education is that kind of education which is given

after primary education and before university i.e. all the classes

after the primary school and before the university education.

Secondary Education in fact, is that stage of education which helps

children to become full members of a complex modern society. It

develops to the highest potential his ability, his aptitudes, his

interests and qualities of character.

1.3 JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM:

2

The importance of the study lies in the fact that the proposed

study is expected to bring about awareness among the Karbi

Adolecent; girls towards the problem faced by the women .It has

become very important to find out as to why Karbi women are getting

inequal opportunity in education, why they are also being

exploited from getting their educational rights. Present study is

attempts in the direction hence entitled as, – “INEQUALITY OF

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY ; AMONG KARBI ADOLESCENT GIRLS WITH

SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DWARBAGORI AREA OF KALIABOR SUB-DIVISION

NAGAON DISTRICT.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY :

(i) To examine the nature and extent of inequality in access

to secondary education.

(ii) To find out as to who goes to college and to draw a

socio- economic profile of the students moving secondary

education.

HYPOTHESIS OR RESEARCH QUESTIONS :

(i) Do children of parents of different occupation have equal

access to secondary education?

(ii) Do children of parents of different income groups have

equal access to secondary education?

(iii) Do children of parents of different castes have

equal access to secondary education?

DELIMATION OF THE STUDY:

Owing to the limitations of time and resources at the disposal

of the investigators, it is neither be possible to have an all3

Resp.Resp.Reli

India study nor one at the level of state. Therefore, the Study is

delimited to Dwarbagori area of Kaliabor Sub division of Nagaon

District with a randomly selected sample of 100 Karbi Adolescent

girls belonging to the age group of 14 to 30 years .

Table 1 – Distribution of Respondents Educational Attainment by

their Religion.

Illitera

tePrimary Middle

secendar

yTotal

Hindu18

(26,80%)

20

(29.85%)

24

(35.82%

)

5

(.075%) 67

Christria

n

7

(.21%)

15

(45.45%)

6

(18%)

5

(15%)33

Total25

35 30

10 100

Table 1 shows the distribution of respondents by their religion and

educational attainments. Out of 100 respondents, 67 were Hindus

and 33 were Christrians ..

Out of 100 respondents, 25 were Illiterate, 35 had primary

schooling or functional literacy,30 had a Middle School

education,and 10 had a H.S level education.

Among 67 Hindu, respondents, 18 (26.80%) were Illiterate, 20

(29.85%) had primary schooling or functional literacy, 24 (35.82%)

had a Middle School education,and 5 (.075%) had a H.S level

education.

4

Among 33 Christrian , 7 (21%) were illiterate, 15 (45.45%) had

primary schooling or functional literacy, 6(18%) had a Middle

School education and, 5 (15%) had a High Secondary level of

education ..

The data shows that among the adolescence aged over 14 years

of age, 25% were illiterate in Dwarbagori areaof kaliabor sub

division of Nagaon District . . While 45.45%had Primary Education

among Christrian .. Among the Hindus, 35.82% had Middle School

education and .075% had H.S level education. While in

Christrians .15% were higher secondary level education .

The reason for Hindu having high literacy levels and greater

proportions had higher levels of education than Christrians ’ may

be because Hindus have a positive outlook regarding their

education

..

Table 2– Distribution of Respondents education and Caste .

Illiter

atePrimary Middle

Secondar

yTotal

ST Hills19(33.9

6%)

17(32.0

8%)

7(8.87%

)

53(13.21

%)53

ST

Plains

6(12.77

%)

18(38.2

8%)

20(42.5

3%)3(6.38%) 47

Total 25 35 30 10 100

5

Table 2 shows the distribution of respondents Educational

Attainments by their Caste. Out of 100 respondents 53 belonged to

ST hills and 47 belonged to ST plains.

Out of 100 respondents, 25 were Illiterate, 35 had primary

schooling or functional literacy, 30 had a Middle School education,

and 10 had a H.S level education.

Among 53 ST Hills respondents 19 (33.96%) were Illiterate, 17

(32.08%) had primary schooling or functional literacy, 10 (18.87%)

had a Middle School education, and 7 (.13.21%) had a H.S level

education.

Among 47ST plains respondents 6 (12.77%) were illiterate, 18

(38.28%) had primary schooling or functional literacy, 20(42.53%)

had a Middle School education and, 3 (6.38%) had a High Secondary

level of education ..

The data shows that among the adolescence aged over 14 years of

age, 19 (33.96%) were illiterate among ST Hills where only

6(12.77%) illiterate respondents were found in ST Plains .Among

The ST plains 20 (42.53%)were belonged to ST Plains The large

number of respondents with Secondary Level Education belonged to ST

Hills . .

The reason ST Hills having higher rate 0f literacy than ST

plains in that area may be because this area is bordered by

Golaghat District ...

Table – 3 Distribution of Respondents Educational Attainment by

their Fathers Education.Res. Edu.

→

Mothers

Illiterat

e

Primary Middle Secondary Total

6

Edu.↓Illiterat

e 13(52%) 7(28%) 2(8%) 3(12%) 25

Primary 17(68%)10(28.57%

)4(11.44%) 4(11.44%) 35

Middle 9(30%) 4(13.33%)14(46.46%

)3(10%) 30

Secondary 0 3(30%) 7(70%) 0 10Total 39 24 27 10 100


Attainments by their Fathers, educational attainments .Out of 100

respondents, 25 were Illiterate, 35 had primary schooling or

functional literacy,30 had a Middle School education, and 10 had a

H.S level education.

Again this table shows that Out of 100

respondents, 39 had Illiterate Father, 24 had primary schooling or

functional literacy,27 had a Middle School education, and 10 had a


Among 25 illiterate respondents 13 (52%) had Illiterate,

Father 7 (28%) had primary schooling or functional literacy, 2 (8%)

had a Middle School education, and 3(.12%)had H.S level education.

Among 35 respondents with Primary Education 17 (68%) had

Illiterate, Father 10 (28.57%) had primary schooling or functional

literacy, 4(11.44%) had a Middle School education ,and 4(.11.44%)

had a H.S level education.

Among 30 respondents with middle School Education 9 (30%) had

Illiterate, Father 4 (13.33%) had primary schooling or functional

7

literacy, 14(44.46%) had a Middle School education, and 3(.10%) had

a H.S level education.

Among 10 respondents with Secondary level Education 3(30%) had

primary schooling or functional literacy, 7(70 .%) had a Middle

School education , none of respondents Fathers had Secondary level

education

From a perusal of this table it is found that out of 100

respondents, 37 had the same educational attainments as their

Fathers and as such were educationally stationery i.e., had

experienced no upward educational attainment 40 of the respondents

had lower education than those of their mother and had downward

educational attainment 23 respondents had higher educational

attainment than those of their mothers as experienced in upward

educational proportions.

The reasons for the daughters having higher literacy rate Town

than their Father in this area of Nagaon may be because now -a -

days govt. has given lots of opportunities for the education of

girls and for change of their attitude .,.

Table – 4 Distribution of Respondents’ Educational Attainment by

their Mothers’ Education.Res. Edu. Illiterat Primary Middle Secondary Total

8

→

Mothers

Edu.↓

e

Illiterat

e 18(72%) 2(8%) 0 5(10%) 25

Primary 015(42.85%

)

12(34.28%

)8(22.85%) 35

Middle 6(20%) 7(23.33%)17(56.67%

)0 30

Secondary 4(40%) 6(60%) 0 0 10Total 28 30 29 13 100


Attainments by their Mothers educational attainments .Out of 100

respondents, 25 were Illiterate, 35 had primary schooling or

functional literacy,30 had a Middle School education,and 10 had a


Again this table shows that Out of 100 respondents, 28 had

Illiterate Mother, 30 had primary schooling or functional

literacy,29 had a Middle School education,and 13 had a H.S level

education.

Among 25 illiterate respondents 18 (72%) had Illiterate,

Mother 2 (8%) had primary schooling or functional literacy, ,and

5(.10%)hadaH.Sleveleducation.

Among 35 respondents with Primary Education 15 (42.86%) had

Mother with primary schooling or functional literacy, 12(34.28%)

9

had a Middle School education ,and 8(.22.85%) had a H.S level

education.

Among 30 respondents with middle School Education 6 (20%)

had Illiterate, Mother 7 (23.33%) had primary schooling or

functional literacy, and 17(56.67%) had a Middle School

education ,.

Among 10 respondents with Secondary level Education 4(40%) had

illiterate Mother 6(60%)primary schooling or functional literacy,

From a perusal of this table it is found that out of 100

respondents, 50 had the same educational attainments as their

Fathers and as such were educationally stationery i.e., had

experienced no educational attainment 23 of the respondents had

lower education than those of their mother and had downward

educational attainment 27 respondents had higher educational

attainment than those of their mothers as experienced in upward

educational proportions.

The reasons for the daughters having higher literacy rate Town

than their Mothers may be the same as above.


their Mothers’ Occupation.Res. Edu.

→

Mothers

Occu.↓

Illiterat

ePrimary Middle Secondary Total

No Job 17(62%) 5(18.51%) 4(14.81%) 1(3.7%) 27

Manual 6(17.64%)11(32.35%

)

15(44.11%

)2(5.88%) 34

10

Non-

Manual 2(5.13%)

19(48.72%

)

11(28.20%

)7(17.95%) 39

Total 25 35 30 10 100


Attainments by their Mothers Occupations .Out of 100 respondents,

25 were Illiterate, 35 had primary schooling or functional


education.

Again this table shows that Out of 100 respondents, 27 Mother

had no jobs, 34 were in Manual Occupations and 39 were in Non

Manual Occupations Among 27 Jobless Mother 17(62%) had illiterate

Daughter 5 (18.51%) had Daughter With Primary schooling or

Functional literacy ,4(14.81%), had Daughter with Middle School

Education and 1(3.70%) had Daughter With Secondary Level

Education ..

Among 34 Manual Mother 6(17.64%) had illiterate Daughter 11

(32.35%) had Daughter With Primary schooling or Functional

literacy ,15(44.11%), Had Daughter with Middle School Education and

2(5.88%) had Daughter With Secondary Level Education ..

Among 39 Non- Manual Mother 2(5.13%) had illiterate Daughter

19 (48.72%) had Daughter With Primary schooling or Functional



The data shows that among the 100 respondents the highest rate of

illiteracy i.e.62% was found among the jobless mothers. The highest

rate of respondents having secondary education was found highest

among the Non-Manual mothers i.e. 17.95%. Again among the manual

11

mothers the highest rate of respondents i.e 44.11 was found in

Middle School level education. Thus at the extremes of occupational

attainments and educational attainments seem to be related.

The respondents with Middle school level school education spread

across all occupations with largest proportion i.e. 44.11% in manual

occupation. It is interesting to note that while 17.95 % of the

respondents with the secondary level of education were in Non-Manual

occupations.

The analysis given above shows that the higher the occupational

status of Mothres s higher are the educational attainments of

Daughters . Thus the educational attainments of daughters depend upon

the occupational status of their Mothers. While illiteracy and

functional literacy restricts a persons Educational status of a

respondent’s other level of education do not appear to be related to

Educational attainments.


their Father’s Occupation.Res. Edu.

→

Fathers’

Occu.↓

Illiterat

ePrimary Middle Secondary Total

No Job 12(42.87%

)7(25%) 9(32.14%) 0 28

Manual 8(21.62%)10(27.02%

)

13(35.13%

)6(16.22%) 37

Non-

Manual 5(14.25%)

18(51.43%

)8(22.86%) 4(11.43%) 35

12

Total 25 35 30 10 100


Attainments by their Mothers Occupations .Out of 100 respondents,

25 were Illiterate, 35 had primary schooling or functional


education.

Again this table shows that Out of 100 respondents, 28Father

had no jobs, 37 were in Manual Occupations and 35 were in Non

Manual Occupation. Among 28 Jobless Father 12(42.87%) had

illiterate Daughter 7 (25%) had Daughter With Primary schooling or

Functional literacy ,9(32.14%), had Daughter with Middle School

Education and none of had had Daughter With Secondary Level

Education.

Among 37 Manual Father 8(21.62%) had illiterate Daughter 10

(27.02%) had Daughter With Primary schooling or Functional



Among 35 Non- Manual Father 5(14.28%) had illiterate Daughter

18 (51.43%) had Daughter With Primary schooling or Functional



The data shows that among the respondents with middle school

education only 32.14 had jobless father and while in manual fathers

40% respondents had Secondary level of Education . The rate of

illiteracy was highest among the jobless fathers i e 42.87 .and

13

none had secondary education among the same .The rate of Primary

Education i.e. 51.43% was highest among the Non-Manual fathers .Thus

while illiteracy and functional literacy restricts a persons

Educational status of a respondent’s other level of education do not

appear to be related to Educational attainments.


their Fathers’income (Annually)

Fathers’

Income

→

Res. Edu.↓

Less

than 30

Thousand

30-60

thousand

60

thousand

and

above

Total

Illitera

te 19(76%) 3(12%) 3(12%) 25

Primary22(62.85

%)

8(22.85%

)

5(14.28%

)35

Middle17(56.66

%)

7(23.33%

)6(20%) 30

Secondar

y2(20%) 7(70%) 1(10%) 10

Total 60 25 15 100


Attainments by their Fathers income.

Out of 100 respondents,60 had Father with Annual income Less

than thirty thousands 25 had annual income thirty thousand to

sixty thousands and 15 Father had income with Sixty thousands and

above . and out of 100 respondents, 25 were illiterate, among

whom19(76%) Father had an annual income of less than thirty

14

thousand, 3(12%) had between thirty thousand and sixty thousand,

and 3(12%) had an annual income of sixty thousand, and above .

Out of 100 respondents, 35 respondents had primary Schooling

or functional literacy among whom22(62.85%) Father had an annual

income of less than thirty thousand, 8(22.85%) had between thirty

thousand and sixty thousand, and 5(14.28%) had an annual income of

sixty thousand, and above.

Again this table shows that out of 100 respondents, 30

respodents had Middle School Education among whom17(56.66%) Father

had an annual income of less than thirty thousand, 7(23.33%) had

between thirty thousand and sixty thousand, and 6(20%) had an

annual income of sixty thousand, and above . .

Out of 100 respondents, 10respodents had Secondary level of

Education among whom2(20%) Father had an annual income of less

than thirty thousand, 7(70%) had between thirty thousand and sixty

thousand, and 1(10%) had an annual income of sixty thousand, and

above.

The analysis given above shows that higher the income status

of father higher is the Education of the daughter. Thus the

Educational status of a respondence of depends upon the income

status of fathers.


their Mothers’ income (Annually)Mothers’

Income

→

Res. Edu.↓

Less

than 30

Thousand

30-60

thousand

60

thousand

and

above

Total

Illitera 23(92%) 2(8%) 0 2515

te

Primary31(88.57

%)

4(11.44%

)0 36

Middle23(67.67

%)6(20%) 1(3.33%) 30

Secondar

y9(90%) 1(10%) 0 10

Total 86 13 1 100

Table 8shows the distribution of respondents Educational

Attainments by their Mothers income . .Out of 100 respondents, 25

were Illiterate, 35 had primary schooling or functional literacy,30

had a Middle School education, and 10 had a H.S level education.

Out of 100 respondents, had Father with Annual income

Less than thirty thousands 25 had annual income thirty thousand to

sixty thousands and 15 Father had income with Sixty thousands and

above .

Out of 100 respondents, 25 were illiterate, among whom

23(92%) Mothers had an annual income of less than thirty thousand,

2(8%) had between thirty thousand and sixty thousand, . and none of

Mothers had an annual income of sixty thousand, and above .

Out of 100 respondents, 35 respondents had primary Schooling or

functional literacy among whom31(88.57%) Mothers had an annual income

of less than thirty thousand, 4(11.44%) had between thirty thousand

and sixty thousand, and none of Mothers had an annual income of

sixty thousand, and above.

Out of 100 respondents, 30 respodents had Middle School

Education among whom23(16.67%) Mothers had an annual income of less

than thirty thousand, 6(20%) had between thirty thousand and sixty16

thousand, and 1(3.33%) had an annual income of sixty thousand, and

above . .

Out of 100 respondents, 10respodents had Secondary level of

Education among whom9(90%) Father had an annual income of less than

thirty thousand, 1(10%) had an annual income of thirty thousands

to sixty thousand, and and none of Mothers had an annual income of

sixty thousand, and above .

The reason may be the same as that of fathers.

Table – 9 Distribution of Respondents’ Harassment by their Religion. Res. H.

→

Res. R.↓Physical Mental Sexual

No-

Harassme

nt

Total

Hindu20(29.85

%)

9(13.43%

)2(2.98%)

36(5376%

)

67

Christia

n2(6.06%)

13(39.39

%)

4(12.12%

)

14(42.42

%)

33

Total 22 22 6 50 100

Table 9 shows the distribution of respondents harassment by

their Religion .. Out of 100 respondents,67(9.58%) belonged to

Hindu and,33 were belonged to Christrians .

Out of 100 respondents, 22 were harassed physically, 22were

harassed mentally, 6 were harassed sexually. While 50 were not

harassed.

Out of 67 respondents who belonged toHindu

Religion ,20(29.85%) were harassed physically, 9(13.43%) were

17

harassed mentally and 2(2.98%) were harrass sexual ly While

36(53.76%) were not Harass ..

Out of 33 respondents who belonged to Christrian

Religion ,2(6.06%) were harassed physically, 13(39.39%) were

harassed mentally and 4(12.12%) were harrass sexual ly While

14(42.42%) were not Harass

This table shows that large number of sexual harassment was found

among the Christian respondents respondents. 25 were harassed

physically, 22 were harassed mentally ,6 were harassed sexually.

28.85% of physical harassment were found in Hindu respondents.

While 12.12% sexual harassment was found among the Christian

respondents. 53.76% Hindu respondents were not harassed in any way.

13.43% and 39.39% Hindus and Christian respondents were mentally

harassed.It is to be noted that the highest rate of sexual

harassment were found among the Christians.

The reasons for which a greater number of respondents in both

Hindu and Christians who were not harassed in any way may be

because now, at present times, several laws have been made in which

the husbands as well as other members of the family will have to

suffer if they harasse the women in any way. The sexual harassment

among the Hindus have become lesser in this area. But in case of

christrian may be because of their conservative outlook .

Table – 10 Distribution of Respondents’ Harassment by their Caste. Res. H. Physical Mental Sexual No- Total

18

→

Res. C.↓

Harassmen

t

ST Hills20(37.73%

)

8(15.09%

)4(7354%)

21(39.62%

)

53

ST Plain15(31.91%

)

8(17.02%

)

7(14.89%

)

17(36.17%

)

47

Total 35 16 11 38 100

Table 10 shows the distribution of respondents harassment by

their Caste. Out of 100 respondents 53 belonged to ST Hill Category

and,47 were belonged to ST plain category.

Out of 100 respondents, 35 were harassed physically, 16were

harassed mentally, 11 were harassed sexually. While 38 were not

harassed.

Out of 53 respondents who belonged to ST Hills ,20(37.73%)

were harassed physically, 8(15.09%) were harassed mentally and

4(7.54%) were harass sexual ly While 21 (39.62%)were not Harass.

Out of 47 respondents who belonged to ST Plains ,15(31.91%)

were harassed physically, 8(17.02%) were harassed mentally and

7(14.89%) were harrass sexual ly While 17 (36.17%)were not

Harass.

The reasons for which the respondents were harassed physically

may be due to the fact that male dominating society is still

prevailing.

The people belonging to the ST plains are seem to have lesser

number of physically harassment because generally this caste is

regarded as upper caste and here the people are aware of the laws

and rules. The ST plains people belonging this area are generally

19

vaishnavs, and they used to give lesser mental and sexual

harassment from earlier timer. A greater number of none harassment

are seen in almost all the categories, perhaps because people have

now become educated and they are aware of the laws and punishment..

From the above analysis the following conclusions may be drawn.

1. The rate of literacy is more in case of Hindu girls than that

of Christians. It may be because Hindus have a positive

outlook regarding their education.

2. Again the rate illiteracy in case of ST Hills girls are found

higher than that of ST plain. But significantly the rate of

secondary education is also higher in the adolescence girls

group belonging to that group.

3. The higher the educational attainment of mother and father the

higher is the educational attainment of their daughters. It

may be because of their attitude towards education as well as

government policies in favour of girl education.

4. The higher the occupational status of mothers and father the

higher are the educational attainments of Daughters. Thus the

educational attainments of daughters depend upon the

occupational status of their father and mother. The extremes of

occupational attainments and educational attainments seem to be

related.

5. The analysis shows that higher the income status of father and

mother higher is the Education of the daughter. Thus the

Educational status of a respondents depends upon the income

status of fathers.

6. The greater number of respondents in both Hindu and Christians

who were not harassed in any way. It may be because now, at20

present times, several laws have been made in which the husbands

as well as other members of the family will have to suffer if

they harasse the women in any way. The sexual harassment among

the Hindus have found to become lesser than that of Christian,

Perhaps may be due to the government laws and policies their out

look and attitude of the wall community.

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Inequality of educational opportunity