Discrimination in Educational Institutions: A Case Study of Bihar

Abstract

According to the state government report, 4% of Scheduled Castes (SCs) population in Bihar is able to study up to the graduate level or above, and the representation of SC communities is negligible in senior positions in government jobs in the state. In this report, discrimination and poverty have been identified as a contributing cause for the current situation of SCs in Bihar. In this context, this study examines the level of discrimination and constraints that SCs students face at school and college levels in Bihar. The analysis done in this article is based on primary data collected from five districts, namely, Kaimur, Gaya, Siwan, Katihar and Patna of Bihar state. This study examines the level of achievements, constraints and discrimination faced by SCs students at different institution levels and identifies the reasons behind the existing situation. The study finds discrimination between SCs and Non-SCs students in case of use of service/ facilities available at educational institutions in Bihar, state. SCs students get less benefits from education, as they face problems related to classroom teaching and understanding. Considering these facts, the state government should provide free guidance/counselling, vocational training and capacity building classes to SCs students in Bihar.

Keywords

Bihar Dalit Education Discrimination Scheduled Castes

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bharti

(2018). Wealth inequality, class and caste in India, 1961–2012. World Inequality Lab Working Papers, HAL.

Census. (2011). Primary census abstract data for Scheduled Castes (SC). https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/population_enumeration.html

Dennis

(2006). Sociology, education and equality in the sociology of education: A review of Halsey, Heath and Ridge’s origins and destinations. Oxford Review of Education, 6(2), 111–131.

Government of Bihar. (2012). Report on 1. Status of backwardness of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled, Tribes (ST) in Bihar. 2. Inadequate representation of SCs and STs in staffing of government services. 3. Overall administrative efficiency of government machinery in the light of reservation in government service in Bihar. Sc and ST Welfare Department, Government of Bihar.

Halsey

A. H.

, Heath

A. F.

, & Ridge

J. M.

(1980). Origins and destinations: Family, class and education in modern Britain. Oxford University Press.

Hauser

R. M.

, & Featherman

D. L.

(1976). Equality of schooling: Trends and prospects. Sociology of Education, 49(2), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.2307/2112516

IER. (2014). India exclusion report 2013-14. Books for change, action enterprise (p. 46). Rajkamal Press. http://www.indianet.nl/pdf/IndiaExclusionReport2013-2014.pdf

Jha

, & Jhinngran

(2005). Elementary education for the poorest and other deprived groups: The real challenges of universalisation. Manohar Publishers.

Kabeer

(2011). Between affiliation and autonomy: Navigating pathways of women’s empowerment and gender justice in rural Bangladesh. Development and Change, 42(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7660.2011.01703.x

10.

NCRB. (2016). Crime in India: Statistics. National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs.

11.

NSSO. (2015). NSS Report No. 562. Household Consumer Expenditure Across Socio Economic Groups, 2011-12.

12.

Raftery

A. E.

, & Hout

(1993, Jan). Maximally maintained inequality: Expansion, reform, and opportunity in Irish education, 1921–75. Sociology of Education, 66(1), 41–62.

13.

Ram

R. B.

, & Kumari

(1991). Changing educational status of tribals of Bihar, 1961–1981. In Pati

R. N.

, & Jagatdeb

(Eds.), Tribal demography in India (pp. 149–161). Ashish Publishing House.

14.

Ramachandran

(2004). Gender and social equity in primary education: Hierarchies of access. SAGE Publication.