Impact of education on schedule caste youth in India : a study of social transformation in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh

Education plays a vital role in fostering economic growth, technological progress and social change. After independence, special provisions were enacted to protect and promote the interests of Scheduled Castes. In the field of education, they were given incentives, financial assistance and facilities such as reservation of seats in educational institutions to enable them to come up on par with the rest of society.

This study seeks to evaluate the impact of education on Scheduled Caste youth in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. It examines their socio-economic background and its influence on their educational careers. It analyses the problems they encounter in educational institutions and in the wider society. It examines the hopes and aspirations of Scheduled Caste youths, their awareness about caste conflicts and their understanding of the various governmental measures like reservation and implementation of protective measures.

The book identifies and analyses the barriers to optimum integration, whether social, psychological or structural, taking into consideration the perception of educated Scheduled Caste youths themselves. It concludes with suggestions as to how modern education can promote greater upward mobility of Scheduled Castes.