Effects of socio-economic condition on child education – a case study on slum area of dankuni municipality, hooghly, West Bengal

Child education in slum areas affected a lot due to poor socio-economic condition. Low literacy rate, many drop outs indicate that children have to face a lot of problems in their education. Due to large sizes of the family and low monthly income parents can’t afford education to their all children. In the study area most of the families (53.33%) earn between Rs. 2500 – 5000 per month. Thus it becomes difficult to afford education for all children if there are more than two school going children’s in a family. Educational qualification of parents has an impact on the educational progress of child, and level of education among parents is also not satisfactory in the study area. There are also gender gaps, here only 25% parents wish their girls to study above secondary level. Many children have to work also at the time of their study to earn money. Girls are specially engaged in these types of works and also in household works. Moreover, economic problems, sharing only one small room with more than four family members, regular problems in many children’s family due to their drunken father creates disinterest among children about their study. Problems of safety due to crossings of rail line or busy road affect the education of primary school goers. First generation learners also faced psychological problems to adjust themselves in the environment of their school.