20Mar 2017

Changing trend in choice of schooling in selected areas of rural Almora, Uttarakhand: Some case studies.

  • Researcher, Gbpnihesd Campus, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora- 263 643, Uttarakhand.
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In recent times the number of public and private schools has flourished in all the states of the country, including Uttarakhand and thus the idea of school choice between government schools vis-a-vis public/private schooling has received considerable attention in the minds of the parents. Consequently the trend to send children- son and daughter towards English speaking private schools has grown significantly amongst middle and lower-middle income group families. This has mainly arisen due to the growing awareness on the quality aspect of education. Since private schools are expensive, therefore, cost of schooling does influence girl’s schooling in India. The gendered nature of parental choice in the context of schooling is known to play some role; this aspect has not been considered in any of the studies undertaken in this region of the country. Hence a field study/survey has been undertaken in rural areas of Almora district in Uttarakhand comprising, four selected blocks, focusing on some case studies, with a view to understand the attitudinal change of parents on the choice of schooling for their daughters irrespective of their family status like identity and financial conditions, parental education, caste and gendered nature particularly in reference to their daughters. This study reports a current growing concern not only among urban parents but also amongst parents in rural areas who realise the importance of quality education for their children. Appropriately, a growing trend has emerged to send their children, including daughters to private schools. A close analysis of interviews with students, parents and teachers reveals that educational choice exercised in these middle or lower middle income group are connected with issues of marriage, self dependent (job), or gendered norm of conduct (like discipline, honesty). Apart from considerations of costs, gendered ideas of school proximity, quality education, security and disciplines are of prime significance in their choice of high school for children and particularly for daughters.


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[Shibani Nandi. (2017); Changing trend in choice of schooling in selected areas of rural Almora, Uttarakhand: Some case studies. Int. J. of Adv. Res. 5 (Mar). 277-291] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com


Shibani Nandi
Researcher, GBPNIHESD Campus, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora- 263 643, Uttarakhand

DOI:


Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/3514      
DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/3514