Exploring the Dynamics of Public Opinion on India’s Education System: A Study on Sociopolitical Attitudes, Religious Beliefs, and Education

• In Event: Highlighted Session: Education Policy and Practice in South Asia

Proposal

Introduction and problem statement

The academic discourse has shown a lack of attention to the determinants of public opinion regarding India's education system, highlighting a significant gap in scholarly exploration. Considering the massive population of 1.4 billion people in the nation, understanding public sentiment towards education becomes crucial for gaining public support and trust while devising effective education policies. By grasping the prevailing public opinions, policymakers can engage in meaningful conversations with the public, ensuring that educational efforts align with the evolving societal needs and aspirations.

To address this research gap on public opinion about education, this study aims to explore the impact of education level, religious beliefs, and sociopolitical attitudes on India's public opinion towards its education system. These factors have been chosen for specific reasons: the education level directly influences how individuals perceive the strengths and weaknesses of the system. Religious beliefs significantly shape people's values and priorities, influencing their views on how well the education system aligns with their cultural values. Furthermore, sociopolitical attitudes influence individuals' perceptions of the education system's performance and potential for improvement, as political ideologies can shape their expectations and demands from the system.

Literature review

In India, public opinion research has emerged as an indispensable area of study, especially considering the country's rapid socio-economic evolution and political metamorphosis. The Indian government's recognition of the significance of public opinion is evident from its approach during the formulation of the latest National Education Policy (NEP) framework in 2019. Gopalan et al. (2022) highlighted that the draft NEP underwent thorough public scrutiny and review before its implementation. Despite the limited volume of academic literature, it is evident that public opinion in India, particularly concerning critical matters like education, is influenced by a multitude of interconnected factors. These factors include individuals' educational background, religious beliefs, and socio-political attitudes.

Moreover, empirical research has revealed a strong link between critical thinking and public opinion regarding education. Studies, such as the one conducted by Kuhn and Udell (2003), have demonstrated that students who are equipped with critical thinking skills tend to exhibit a more positive attitude toward learning and are actively engaged in classroom activities. Furthermore, Das (2019) emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue in a country like India, where the scale of socio-political activism among students is diminishing due to state and national governments' actions.

Data and methods

The data for this study come from the Pew 2019 Global Attitudes Survey, conducted by Gallup in India between June 24, 2019, and October 2, 2019. The Pew survey covered national identity, politics, economy, society, and foreign relations (Pew Research Center, 2023). The dependent variable is the education system of India, where the survey asked respondents to assess their optimism or pessimism towards India's education system. Because the variable is binary, I estimated a series of multiple Logistic Regression models. The models included Age, Gender, and Level of Education as independent variables. And Confidence in Modi, Political Party Support, Belief in God, and Current Religion as predictor variables.

The selection of education level variables as a factor helps to understand how the educational attainment of individuals might influence their perception of India's education system. Similarly, understanding how socio-political attitudes interplay with public opinion on education is essential to gain insights into how broader societal beliefs and ideologies might influence people's perceptions of the education system. Furthermore, examining the influence of religious beliefs on public opinion regarding the education system helps to explore how cultural and religious factors may shape perceptions of educational practices, curricula, or even educational institutions. By studying the relationships between education level, socio-political attitude, and religious beliefs with public opinion on India's education system, this study seeks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to varying perspectives in the country.

Results

The study reveals that an impressive 78 percent of Indian respondents expressed optimism regarding the education system in India. Moreover, it highlights a noteworthy correlation between confidence in Modi's leadership and belief in God and the positive and significant impact these factors have on Indian people's optimism toward their country's education system. Furthermore, a decrease in education level increases Confidence in Modi, leading to more optimism towards the education system. This positive correlation between confidence in Modi and optimism toward the education system may potentially be attributed to the prevailing wave of nationalism in India. This surge of nationalism seems to facilitate a convergence of sentiments, as observed in the Pew 2019 survey. The potent force of nationalism in India, characterized by unwavering support for the Prime Minister, is likely to shape public opinion regarding the education system. This finding emphasizes the significance of considering sociopolitical attitudes, such as nationalism, in comprehending the dynamics of public opinion on education in India. These findings have critical implications for India's policymakers, educators, and media professionals, as they shed light on the factors influencing public opinion.

Drawing on the Pew 2019 Global Attitudes and Trend survey, the study provides compelling evidence that the level of education attained has a significant impact on Indian people's optimism or pessimism towards the education system of India. More specifically, the findings revealed that the level of education is a crucial determinant of Indian people's views towards the education system, and its relationship with their perception of the education system of India is statistically significant. By scrutinizing the intricate relationships among different variables, this study advances our understanding of the complexity of public opinion formation. Furthermore, it sheds light on how individual-level characteristics and social, cultural, and political contexts interact to shape it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study contributes valuable insights into the power of protest in education by unraveling the determinants of public opinion on India's education system. By exploring the influence of education level, socio-political attitudes, and religious beliefs, the study presents crucial implications for shaping effective policies and strategies aimed at promoting informed and responsible citizenship in India.

Author

• Sumit Karn, Teachers College, Columbia University