Regional Disparity in Educational Development in Murshidabad District, West Bengal

Education plays an important role in the development of the country and the quality of life of the people. But the regional disparity in educational facilities hinders the development of a nation. There are many districts in West Bengal where regional disparities in educational development are noticeable. The objectives of this study are to understand the block wise literacy status, to explore the distribution pattern of educational facilities and to find out the pattern of regional disparities in educational development in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. The entire study is based on secondary data, collected from District Census Handbook (DCHB) of Murshidabad (2011) and District Statistical Handbook (DSHB) of Murshidabad district, 2014. Fifteen indicators have been selected to depict the educational development. To fulfill the objectives of the study authors used quantitative techniques namely, Mean, Standard deviation, Standard (Z) score and Composite mean Z-score. This study analyzed the level of disparity among 26 blocks of Murshidabad district by dividing into four levels of development. The study reveals that the blocks namely Bharatpur-I, Farakka, Samserganj, Bhagawangola-II, Suti-I and Suti-II fall in low literacy status. Nabagram, Bharatpur-II, Burwan, Khargram and Berhampore have got high score in educational facilities. In respect to literacy status, educational facilities and educational development Suti-I and Suti-II blocks are in low level development whereas Nabagram and Berhampore blocks secured higher level of development. Regional inequality in education in Murshidabad district can be noticed due to least number of primary schools, unequal teacher student ratio, not well facilitate schools and also responsible for government indifference. So there is a need to reduce the disparities among the blocks of the district in respect of educational facilities, educational development by proper government attention and growing awareness in the low educational developed blocks. The finding of this study will help the policy makers to take decision to remove the regional disparity in educational development.