Psychosocial factors affecting educational aspiration of children of migrant labourers in Kerala

Abstract

India has implemented the Universalisation of Elementary Education and the Right to Education Act to provide education for all children, but faces challenges in reaching socially and economically disadvantaged children, such as those from migrant families. Children make up 20.4% of all migrants, and one in five internal migrants is a child. Migrant children aged 6-18 are more vulnerable due to increased child labour and fewer educational options. Studies on the education of children of migrant labourers in Kerala are limited, with no single investigation into psychosocial factors affecting their educational aspiration.The study was to find out how certain psychosocial factors, Quality of Life, Socio Personal Adjustment, and School Environment affect the Educational Aspiration of children of migrant labourers in Kerala. The objectives of the study were to find the effect of gender on the selected psychosocial factors and Educational Aspiration, to understand the relationship between the psychosocial factors and Educational Aspiration and to predict the Educational Aspiration of children of migrant labourers based on their Quality of Life, Socio Personal Adjustment, and School Environment and establish a regression equation.The survey method and a predictive correlational design were used for the study. The sample consisted of 393 children of migrant labourers in seven districts of Kerala. The independent variables were Quality of Life, Socio Personal Adjustment, and School Environment, while the dependent variable was Educational Aspiration. The statistical techniques used were the test of significance of difference between means for large independent samples, correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analysis.The Quality of Life and School Environment of the children of migrant labourers in Kerala differed significantly by gender. But there was no significant gender difference in Socio Personal Adjustment and Educational Aspiration. The Quality of Life, Socio Personal Adjustment, and School Environment were positively related to Educational Aspiration of children of migrant labourers. The same relationship was evident when analysed separately for boys and girls. School Environment can explain 45.5% of the variance in Educational Aspiration of children of migrant labourers. Also, school status, quality of life, and Socio Personal adjustment can influence up to 53.2% of the variance in educational aspiration.To raise the Educational Aspiration of children of migrant labourers, schools should use various teaching strategies, promote a multicultural environment, encourage healthy peer interactions, and adopt a curriculum that reflects their diverse identities. Governments should provide facilities like housing, social protection, and financial support to enhance the quality of life for these children. Ensuring their participation in social gatherings and clinical interventions can help children resolve adjustment problems.