Inequalities in Access to Academic Spaces: Experiences of Students from the Socially Excluded Groups in Higher Education in India

Published: May 15, 2020

CASTE AND CLASS
Inequalities in Access to Academic Spaces: Experiences of Students from the Socially Excluded Groups in Higher Education in India

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Students belonging to a disadvantaged group find themselves  suffering on account of inequitable conditions of study and academic pathways to access higher education institutional systems.

Abstract: India has viewed equity in higher education as a foundation for inclusive growth. As a result of strong affirmative action policies such as the reservation of seats in higher education institutions, relaxation of admission criteria and financial support, access to higher education has improved for the students from disadvantaged social backgrounds over the years. However, after entering these institutions, equal and non-discriminatory access to opportunities remains limited. The findings from a large-scale, multi-institutional, mixed method study show that higher education institutions are largely under-prepared to respond to diverse learners.

The author is Associate Professor, Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education (CPRHE), National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi. nidhis@niepa.ac.in. The article should be cited as Sabharwal S.N., 2020. Inequalities in Access to Academic Spaces: Experiences of Students from the Socially Excluded Groups in Higher Education in India, Geography and You, 20(4-5): 76-81