Can the Rural Poor Afford Private Schooling? A Case Study from a Flood-Affected Village in Assam, India

This paper investigates the comparative status of government and private schooling in rural Assam, with an emphasis on the affordability of private education for the rural poor. Using secondary data from the DISE and ASER reports, alongside primary data from a longitudinal village survey (2015 and 2022), it critically evaluates the infrastructural conditions, learning outcomes, and educational perceptions prevalent in a flood-prone village in Dhubri district. The findings highlight that while private schools exhibit relatively superior infrastructure and academic performance, they remain inaccessible to the economically marginalized due to high costs. The study also reflects on policy gaps, digital exclusion, and the broader implications of privatization on equity in education. It recommends systemic reforms in government schooling to ensure quality, inclusive education and sustainable educational futures for rural communities.