The Economics of Education and Merit: A Conversation on Class barriers, Accessibility and Inclusivity

While quality education is a fundamental and foundational right of all, its accessibility and dispersal remains restricted to a small pool of population. In this one-on-one with students from the Liverpool Hope University, aspiring and training to be educators, we turn to the socio-economic factors that influence the merit of students and how social deviance, educational gaps and financial insecurity are intersectional when it comes to the process of learning.

We look at measures that can be taken on a grassroot level by educators to bridge this gap while being mindful of the differences in ability and socio-economic positions of the students. Furthermore, we discuss some policy interventions by the government in the United Kingdom and the implications they have on the growth and development of students. Assessing and drawing parallels upon some socio-cultural as well as institutional practices that are part and parcel of the education systems of India and The United Kingdom, we arrive upon some unique insights on the different as well as the similar experiences as students and educators across the different systems.