What is Equality of Educational Opportunity in India? Influence of Economic System on Equality of Educational Opportunity in India 

Back to: Contemporary India and Education – Unit 5

According to Gunn (2018),

“Equality is the provision of equal treatment, access, and opportunity to resources and opportunities. Essentially, everyone gets the same thing, regardless of where they come from or what needs they might have.”

In educational institutions, equality is often related to access and outcomes. Equality ensures that every student has equal access to a high-quality education regardless of their social background. It also ensures that all students are accountable to the same standards and objectives without taking into account their circumstances, abilities, or experiences.

Economic Features of Equality of Educational Opportunity

The main economic features of equality of educational opportunity in India are as follows:

1. Equality is concerned with the end product and not the means.
2. Equality is characterized by the treatment of all learners at the same level.
3. Equality ensures that the distribution of educational resources and access is even.
4. The main function of equality is to treat all learners equally.
5. Equality ensures to provide every learner with the same educational resources regardless of their economic background.

Influence of Economic System on Equality of Educational Opportunity in India

The quality and quantity of education one receives, determines the kind of future they will have and whether it will be stable or not. Better education leads to better-paying jobs and it also brings increased opportunities. Students who come from a better economic background receive access to a better quality of education despite schemes of equality being implemented across the nation. To ensure that all learners get equal access to education and equal opportunities regardless of their economic background, the government has implemented various schemes which have the following benefits.

Provides Financial Assistance

The schemes offer financial aid and assistance to learners coming from a low economic background.

Encourages Women’s Participation

It ensures that every girl child gains access to universal education.

Community Participation

It encourages community participation to promote the welfare of the future of the country.

Safeguards Girl Child

The various schemes safeguard the girl child against practices such as female infanticide and foeticide. 

Societal Change

The schemes train government authorities and employees to bring positive social change and to promote the same so that the country can witness economic prosperity.

The economic system and the educational system of a country go hand in hand because the implementation of different education schools requires the country to be economically strong and sufficient.