A STUDY OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF SCHEDULED CASTE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN RELATION TO STUDY HABITS, HOME ENVIRONMENT AND SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

ABSTRACT

The Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) wherever they live, are faced with many diverse problems, which are of Social, economic, political and educational  in  nature.  It  is  common  knowledge  how the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes suffer from times immemorial for no fault of theirs. These problems have  aggravated  the  situation over years and  ushed  the  SC/ST  masses  to  total  subjugation and exploitation. One thing is certain, that in a caste-ridden society like  ours, social and economic status are the necessary prerequisites for any individual to progress. These variables buttress each other in development of a community or caste. Any analysis of Indian society without taking caste into consideration is not complete. Almost  all  activities-economic,  political,  educational  and  socio-cultural-revolve around the notions of caste. The structural form and relationships in rural areas have  continued almost in tact in post-independence India, although some changes have come about in urban setting.  The scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, throughout the country occupy the lowest rank in the caste hierarchy. In a hierarchy of unequal relationships, the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are at the bottom and hence socially inferior to all others in the community. Further among themselves also there is further stratification and ranking. 

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