STATUS OF EDUCATION OF THE CHILDREN IN SLUMS OF PATNA, BIHAR

Abstract

The urban poor are the one who dwells in precarious conditions while the most elites of the city enjoy a life of dignity. The denial of basic facilities is an outcome of both active and passive exclusion which hits the educational opportunities, access and participation of the children living in slums. The supply side element refers to the availability or unavailability of schools in their immediate proximity, quality school infrastructure or bad quality, or teacher attitude, whereas the demand side is mostly determined by household factors. Households determine the demand for education, which is influenced by factors such as poverty, a lack of understanding about the long-term benefits of education, and a lack of trust in public education. Despite primary education being a fundamental right under article 21 (A) of the constitution of India the children coming from urban marginalised caste, class and communities are struggling to make it a reality and disparities in education continue. In light of education being a fundamental right, the primary objective of this study is to examine the educational status of children living in the urban fringes of Patna. To achieve the objective a primary household survey was carried out on a sample of (N=220) from eight selected slums of Patna. The finding suggests that the significant number of children aged between 6-14 are dropped out, out of school and never enrolled is an alarm to achieve universalisation of school education.