EDUCATIONAL BARRIERS AND LEARNING DIFFICULTIES: PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY STUDENTS IN RURAL SCHOOLS OF GUJARAT

Education plays a crucial role in socio-economic development; however, students in rural schools of Gujarat continue to face multiple educational barriers and learning difficulties that hinder their academic progress. This study examines the structural, socio-economic, institutional, and psychological challenges encountered by students in rural areas of the state. It highlights issues such as poverty, parental illiteracy, seasonal migration, gender disparities, and inadequate home learning environments that significantly affect students’ academic engagement and continuity. The study also explores infrastructure-related constraints, including insufficient classrooms, lack of sanitation facilities, limited electricity supply, and inadequate digital resources, which directly impact the quality of learning. Teacher shortages, multi-grade teaching practices, and limited subject specialization further intensify academic challenges in rural schools. Additionally, language barriers, weak foundational literacy and numeracy skills, and limited exposure to experiential learning contribute to poor learning outcomes. The digital divide has emerged as a critical concern, restricting students’ access to modern educational tools and online learning platforms. The paper emphasizes the need for comprehensive policy interventions, improved infrastructure, strengthened teacher training, and enhanced community participation to address these persistent challenges. By identifying key barriers, the study provides strategic insights for policymakers and educational stakeholders to promote inclusive, equitable, and quality education in rural Gujarat.