SOCIO ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF UNDERPRIVILEGED SECONDARY GIRL STUDENTS IN PURULIA OF WEST BENGAL

The education of underprivileged secondary girl children from deprived socio-economic backgrounds remains a critical concern in Purulia. This study investigates the socio-economic and educational status of deprived-class secondary school girls in Purulia district, West Bengal. The research focuses on five major dimensions 1: To analyze the socio-economic background of underprivileged secondary girl students in Purulia District. 2: To identify the socio-cultural barriers and challenges of underprivileged secondary girl students. 3: To assess the availability and accessibility of educational facilities in rural area of Purulia. 4: To evaluate the level of awareness and utilization of Government schemes and policies among the target group and their families. 5: To suggest policy-level recommendations for improving the educational conditions of underprivileged girls in rural and tribal regions. The study adopts a descriptive survey research design, suitable for collecting both quantitative and qualitative data from a large population across diverse socio-economic backgrounds. For the data collection, an interview schedule was developed by the researchers. Preliminary results reveal that while enrolment levels have improved due to government interventions, challenges persist in attendance, retention, and learning outcomes. Socio-cultural constraints, economic hardship, and inadequate facilities continue to hinder progress. Awareness of welfare schemes exists but their utilisation remains uneven, particularly among the most underprivileged households. This paper explored the need for targeted policies, social apathy, and parental educational disadvantage to create an enabling environment for underprivileged girls’ education. Strengthening implementation of existing schemes, expanding financial support, and addressing gender-based barriers are crucial for enhancing both the socio-economic and educational status of underprivileged secondary girl children in Purulia.