Socio-religious Disparity in Educational Achievements: A District Level study in West Bengal

Hati, Koushik Kumar (2010): Socio-religious Disparity in Educational Achievements: A District Level study in West Bengal. Published in: Prankrishna Pal, Alok K. Bhaumik, Kausik Gupta (eds), Emerging Issues in The Indian Economy, Regal Publications, New Delhi (January 2011)

Abstract

Education is a powerful catalyst for the change of a society and plays a crucial role in the development of a nation. In recent years, education has been included as a key component of Human Development Index. As a result, social and regional disparities in educational achievement drag back development of the country. The present paper focuses on Educational Achievement in Elementary Education across the districts of West Bengal to explore regional disparities in educational achievements and differences across social groups – Religious Minorities and Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Since data on children with socio-religious classification is not available, we have tried to provide an overview of the situation by analyzing educational achievements separately for Religious Minority dominated districts, SC/ST dominated districts, and Other districts. Based on the data from District Information System for Education, the paper uses educational indicators like Literacy, Enrollment, Drop Out, Repetition Rate, Completion Rate, and Examination Performance of the Students at primary stages and middle stages the paper also tries to construct a composite Educational Development Index, separately for the different types of districts. The paper brings to light regional and social disparities in educational achievement in our state and proposes certain policies for improvement.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Education, Economic Growth, Regional Disparity
• Subjects: I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I2 - Education and Research Institutions > I24 - Education and Inequality

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