Assam's Inter-District Disparity in Education Sector

Abstract

This paper documents the extent of inequality in educational opportunity amongst the districts of Assam spanning the data of the year 2013-2014. The level of educational development is estimated with the help of composite index based on optimum combination of different developmental indicators. The main objective of the study is to classify the districts into different stages of development such as high level, medium level, developing and low level developed. The composite indicators are obtained with the help of two different methods. The district-wise data in respect of twenty five indicators are used f or twenty seven districts of the State. Irrespective of the indicators used, the district of Dima Hasao stands out as the least unequal in terms of educational opportunities. However, the district of Tinisukia stands at the bottom of the list in this regard. Ranks of the districts in the level of educational development obtained from both the methods are compared. For bringing out uniform regional development, potential targets have been estimated for low developed districts.