In Pursuit of Aspirations and

Status through Education:

A study of Parents and
Students in Nilambur

By: Razin Abdullah

Guide : Dr. Murali Krishna
 Why this study?
 Experience from Social and Tribal Welfare Schools, Internship.
 Hypothesis derived from those.
 Studies in western countries about relationship between social class
and aspirations. Dearth of similar reliable studies in India.
 Will be helpful for social scientists and policy makers to recognize
the importance of aspirations ,encourage higher aspirations and will
also help them in taking initiatives to resolve the conundrums that
lay ahead in fulfilling the aspirations of students and parents
Methodology
 Objective: Capturing aspirations and foundations of aspirations
across classes, analyzing hindrances in achieving aspirations.
 Description of Site (Nilambur): Tourism, Migration, first
municipality to provide primary education to all it's people.
 Research Design: Qualitative, Exploratory.
 Sampling Technique: Non probability- convenient and purposive
sampling
 Analytical Technique: Content analysis and narrative analysis
 Research tools: Semi structured interview using pre designed
questionnaire.(mostly open ended questions)
Methodology
Sample Selection : (based on type of house):
People who lived in rented houses or in houses that were built by the

government under the laksham veedu scheme were categorized into

lower class sections.
People who owned houses whose roofing was made of bricks were

categorized as lower middle classes.

People who owned medium sized houses with concrete ceiling were

categorized as upper-middle-class sections. And

People who lived in large bungalows were categorized as upper-class

sections.
Research Process : House to house search , Consent , Difficulties.
Findings and Analysis
 Edu. Aspirations Stems from need for higher status, Professions-
status and value, Caste determines professions- barriers created.
 Constraints in achievement- structural barriers, Favouring Urban
elite-early selection and mass examination- education as state
apparatus
 Socio economic condition of Nilambur – Migration to West Asia –
Reasons and impacts.
 Distinction between educational and occupational aspirations.
 Better Parental Aspirations = Better Aspirations for students.
 Lower Class Aspirations and extent of achievement: Parent's jobs,
diseases and debts, less time to take care of children, yearn for
migration, What Children become?.
 Findings and Analysis
 Lower Middle Class Aspirations and extent of achievement: Parent's job,
Migration to West Asia- Social Capital, PSC, Vocational Courses- NEBOSH,
Parent's dont encourage sending Children to Navodaya Schools
 Upper Middle Class Aspirations and extent of Achievement : Parent's jobs,
Engg. , Medicine, Coaching- lack of specificity, MBA, CA, Senior Secondary
allotment- Social class distinction
 Upper Class Aspirations and Extent of Achievement: Parent's jobs,
expensive courses, Study abroad, trickling down to upper middle classes.
 Lack of Strong Foundation- Parents education below 10th.
 Low Aspiration for Civil Services.
 Spiritual Aspirations.
 Occupational Aspirations fulfilled with money, not educational aspirations.
Ruralness, Lack of exposure and examples.
Sponsored quality education.
●Reservations not Enough- early selection
Conclusion
for all, better alternative for mass
examinations- better mgmt of HR.
●Career info, Guidance, Motivation,

Creating role models along with

improvement of health and economic
conditions.