Question

Discussion question In most developing countries, the empirical studies show that there is extreme inequality in the distribution of education. A small section of the population is very highly educated and the majority of the population has practically no education at all. India is a good example of this phenomenon, South Korea is an exception. Discuss the possible reasons of educational inequalities and also suggest changes in education policy that may achieve a more equitable distribution of education.

Answer 1

The factors which are responsible for inequality in education in India are-economic factors,social and cultural factors, school environment ie infrastructure and quality of education .Economic factor is the most important reason for children dropping out from school or not attending school.Majority being poor cannot provide education and do not avail free education provided by government in order to supplement the income of the family,Boys earn income for the family by doing various economic activities and girls help in domestic chores.Poor infrastructure of government schools like old school buildings,no drinking water facility, no toilet facility specially for girls are other reasons for poor attendance in schools.Lack of proper trained teachers,lack of efficient school management ,poor curriculum,teachers not attending school on a regular basis, presence of contract teachers with poor education and training are other factors.As a result children do not learn much in schools.The poor quality of government schools force people to opt for private schools but the cost being higher ,people drop out of school.So male children go to private schools and female in government schools which has increased the socio- economic disparity in education.Comparing the poor and the wealthy class ,it is seen that socio-economic disparity is the most important factor in the early years and grows as the child grows older. Moreover the policy of the government spending more in certain schools like Kendriya vidyalaya and less in other government schools schools is also responsible for inequality.

Educational inequality starts from a young age due to inequality in wealth , gender inequality etc.Three policy areas that can help bring equity in education are -designing of the new education system,changes in the practices in school and outside school and providing proper allocation of resources.The first thing is to see that gender and social circumstances do not come in the way of education.The second is that everyone should receive basic education, Achievement of the children should be tracked from a young age and necessary steps taken. The disability of children should be tracked at early childhood and see that the weak children are taught at a right pace.Best teachers should give support to the disadvantaged group of children. Learning resources for the support of the children should be given at right pace .The parents and the communities should be given the power to hold schools and policy makers at fault for poor quality of education provided to the children.Surveys should be conducted to keep proper track of learning of the children in the school as well as outside the school.All these steps will bring school drop outs at a low level and equity in education.These interventions by policy makers will lessen inequality in education.