MARGINALIZED STUDENTS

MARGINALIZED STUDENTS

By :Aradhana R. ChangMadhvi SharmaReetika OberoiShabina Saifi

Definition of Marginalized According to Arko Koley “Being

marginalised refers to being separated from the rest of the society, forced to occupy the fringes and edges and not to be at the centre of things. Marginalised people are not considered to be a part of the society.”

UNESCO on Marginalized Children

Millions of children are excluded from their right to basic education and particularly to primary education. Access to primary education is still hampered by many factors, such as income differentiation and social status.

Who are Marginalized Children?

Four broad thematic clusters of marginalisation will be considered:

Group-based: indigenous, ethnic, racial, linguistic, caste, minorities (religious, SC, ST, women)

Poverty-related: extreme and persistent poverty, child labour, street and working children

Location: urban slums, rural and remote areas (drought-prone, pastoralist etc), conflict zones (including refugees and internally-displaced persons by war)

Individual: disability and special needs, HIV/orphans, other health-related problems

Characteristics of Marginalized Children may become

stigmatized receive negative public

attitudes limited opportunities to

make social contribution

low self confidence low self esteem poverty- stricken dependency on others feeling of shame

Characteristics of Marginalized Children health deterioration feeling of disempowerment feel undervalued in the society reluctant to get involved in community

activities inability to shape community life feeling of mistrust gender biases towards girls feeling of exclusion oppressed and bullied by others involved in crimes or gangs depressed and self-destructed

How to recognize Marginalized Students?

High percentage of drop- outs Grade- level repeaters Hyperactivity (short attention span,

impulsiveness) Aggression/self-injurious behavior (acting

out, fighting) Withdrawal (failure to initiate interaction

with others; retreat from exchanges of social interaction, excessive fear or anxiety)

Immaturity (inappropriate crying, temper tantrums, poor coping skills)

How to recognize Marginalized Students? Learning difficulties (academically

performing below grade level) lack opportunities for skill development Below average in physical skill ability,

mainly fine motor skills Inability to build or maintain satisfactory

interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers

Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances

General mood of unhappiness or depression/ abnormal mood swings

How to recognize Marginalized Students?

Distorted thinking pattern

Socially deviant behavior

Often out of school Heavily under-

represented in secondary education

Experience poor quality education

Reaching Out All education systems have to

address problems of marginalisation. Effective and innovative education policies open enormous opportunities for overcoming marginalisation. The common thread linking each of the marginalized groups is that they figure prominently at the lower end of the distribution for education access and achievement in their respective societies. Reaching and providing a meaningful education to the marginalised poses a distinctive set of challenges that go beyond promoting equity in general.