A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CASTE AND ETHNIC GROUP PARENTS' ATTITUDES CONCERNING SECONDARY EDUCATION IN NEPAL (SOCIAL STATUS)

The purpose of this study was to compare the attitudes and perceptions of high caste and low caste and minority ethnic group parents regarding their childrens' secondary education. While informal studies on low school enrollment, high drop out rate and low school participation exists, there have been no formal studies to determine the effects of caste and ethnic diversity on secondary school enrollment in Nepal. Therefore, further research was needed to understand why low caste and minority student's school enrollment is low and to determine how to ensure a more equitable distribution of educational opportunity among all ethnic and caste groups. The main objective of this study was to determine the attitudes and perceptions of high caste and low caste and ethnic group parents towards education, the existing curriculum, as well as perceived barriers which might hinder school enrollment and retention, and incentives which would increase school enrollment and retention. A survey approach was used to gather quantitative and descriptive information. A questionnaire developed by the researcher was administered through personal interviews. The survey interview gathered views, attitudes and perceptions from parents who were high caste and from parents who were low caste and of minority ethnic groups. A total of 132 parents were interviewed for this study. The findings showed that there were more positive attitudes towards educating sons than daughters by both groups. Children from the high caste group were enrolled at a far higher rate than the children from the low caste and minority ethnic group. Economic need was the major factor preventing both groups of parents from sending their children to school. High caste parents did not feel that their children were effected by negative social pressures such as intimidation and discrimination. Low caste and minority ethnic group parents reported some form of intimidation and discrimination toward their children. High caste parents preferred an academic curriculum while low caste and minority ethnic group parents wanted more subjects taught in the vocational fields.