Demand for education and its implications for reform at the village level

Author(s)
Rao, Sudha V.
Languages
English
Series
IIEP Occasional Papers, 64
Year
1983
Pages
114 p.
Country

Online version

About the publication

This document attempts to relate the demand for education to educational developments and socio-economic changes. The study indicates the complex interdependence between, on the one hand, socio-cultural variables, landholding patterns, and labour, and, on the other hand, levels of living of which demand for education is an integral part. To test this hypothesis, the author carried out an anthropological-type study supplemented by survey data of Dalena, a south Indian village. The introduction of canal irrigation and subsequent development of the modern sector in Dalena's vicinity resulted in rapid economic development. This in turn led to an increased demand for both non-formal and formal education within Dalena. Formal education qualifications constitute a passport to urban employment and are strongly desired. Limited availability of urban employment, however, is reflected in growing numbers of educated unemployed youths in Dalena. Under conditions of economic stagnation, those who are already in influential positions monopolize the scarce economic opportunities and the underprivileged have hardly been able to avail themselves of the new educational opportunities which had been mainly intended for them