Impact of General Educational Facilities on Intergenerational Social Mobility: A Study on Shibgonj Upazila, Chapai Nawabgonj District

Abstract

Education and education related facilities accelerate the degree of social changes. In this research social changes among the three generations (first, second and third) have been shown on the basis of availability of educational facilities. Generally, we know that education plays the role of a catalyst to bring about positive social change. Its influence on one’s life style, social consciousness, political participation, socio-economic participation, and health awareness is universally appreciated. However, this research shows that educational facilities facilitate social mobility. Social mobility is the movement of individual or sometimes groups between different positions in the hierarchies of stratification within any society. The development of education sector depends on providing educational facilities. But the general educational facilities are not available for all in Bangladesh. To educate the huge population, we need more and more educational institutions. But the education sector of our country is still facing various types of problems like shortage of funds, poor structure of school buildings, lack of books, furniture, playground, transportation, communication, entertainment facilities and also shortage of skilled teachers. It can be mentioned here that the facilities enjoyed by the respondents differ considerably. The respondents from first and second generation faced deficiency of educational facilities which affected their educational achievement. But respondents of the third generation did not face as much problems as compared to them. They have received these facilities and that is why they are more educated than the other two generations. So the trend of social mobility differs from one generation to the next generation. Socio-economic development of third

generation is faster than the first and second generations. It can also be mentioned here that socio-economic development and trend of receiving educational facilities are not equal everywhere. This study shows that nearly 35% respondents of the first generation, 40.6% of the second generation and 70% respondents of the third generation received educational facilities adequately. For education, institution’s strategic planning needs to take into consideration for the infrastructure and its components. This study reveals that nearly 50% respondents of first generation received education under open field where nearly 90% respondents of third generation received their education within adequate structural facilities. None from first generation and 25% respondents from third generation received teaching Materials adequately in rural area. 75.2% from first generation, and 17.9% from the third generation did not receive this facility properly. At the same time 14.3% from first generation and 57.1% respondents from third generation received teaching Materials adequately in urban area. 38.1% from first generation, and 3.6% from the third generation did not receive this facility properly. Entertainment is an essential element to ensure a friendly educational environment. 28.6% respondents from third generation received entertainment facilities adequately in rural area. 42.9% respondents from third generation received entertainment facilities adequately in urban area. 52.2% respondents from first generation, 36.4% from second generation and 25% respondents from the third generation are engaged in agriculture in rural area. Only 8.7%, 9.1% and 28.6% respondents from first, and second, generation are engaged in service respectively. 61.9% respondents from first generation, 30.6% from second generation and 10.7% respondents from the third generation are engaged in agriculture in

urban area. 4.8%, 12.2% and 46.4% respondents from first, second and third generation are engaged in service respectively. 4.3% respondents from first generation 2.8% respondents from the second generation and 3.6% respondents from the third generation income level is <50,000 in rural area. 19.1% respondents from first generation, 12.2% respondents from the second generation and 10.7% respondents from the third generation income level is <50,000 in urban area. 78.5% respondents from third generations income is above 1, 00,000 yearly. 65.2% respondents of first generation are illiterate, none of the respondents have H.S.C-Higher education level education where the second generation 5.5% respondents, and the third generation 39.3%respondents in rural area.42.9% respondents of first generation are illiterate, none of the respondents have H.S.C-Higher education level education where the second generation 13% respondents, and the third generation 46.4%respondents in urban area. Though the trend of receiving educational facilities increased from one generation to the next, it was not enough to ensure proper education and upward social mobility. Besides, people of urban areas receive more educational facilities than the people living in rural areas. The development activities of urban and rural areas are not the same due to this disparity. On the basis of some rural-urban comparison, this study suggests to reduce discrimination between rural and urban area in terms of access to educational facilities. If we can ensure equitable distribution of these facilities we may get a healthy, wealthy and educated nation in the near future.