Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS) · Research article · Open access
Education as an Instrument of Social Mobility: A Comparative Analysis of Policy Outcomes in Marginalized Communities
Dr. Sunil Kumar
1 July 2025 · Vol. 1, Issue 1, pp. 1-10
DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V1E1/2025-A001 (registration with Crossref in progress)
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What is this article about?
Education is widely regarded as the cornerstone of socio-economic advancement, especially for communities historically pushed to the margins of development. This paper seeks to critically assess how educational policies in India and South Africa—two nations with similar colonial legacies but distinct social hierarchies—have influenced social mobility among marginalized populations.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 1 July 2025
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 1, Issue 1, pp. 1-10
- ISSN
- 3051-3561 (online) · 3051-3553 (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
Education is widely regarded as the cornerstone of socio-economic advancement, especially for communities historically pushed to the margins of development. This paper seeks to critically assess how educational policies in India and South Africa—two nations with similar colonial legacies but distinct social hierarchies—have influenced social mobility among marginalized populations. The study employs a comparative qualitative approach to analyze government policies, assess institutional barriers, and evaluate the lived experiences of students from underprivileged backgrounds. Through a review of national policies like India’s Right to Education Act and South Africa’s No-Fee Schools policy, along with data from UNESCO and World Bank, the research uncovers the realities beneath the rhetoric of inclusion. Findings reveal a recurring gap between policy formulation and actual implementation. While enrollment numbers have improved significantly in both countries, dropout rates and unequal learning outcomes continue to reflect deep-rooted social disparities. In India, Dalit students frequently encounter caste-based discrimination and limited access to higher education. In South Africa, although racial access barriers have legally dissolved, rural infrastructure and unemployment among Black graduates remain substantial challenges. The paper concludes that education, while vital, must be embedded in a broader matrix of reforms including healthcare, economic support, and anti-discrimination measures to create pathways of true upward mobility. The research recommends holistic strategies that integrate academic support with socio-emotional empowerment and community participation for impactful outcomes.
Keywords: Education, Social Mobility, Marginalized Communities, Educational Policy, Comparative Analysis, India, South Africa, Discrimination, Access, Dropout Rates
Cite this article
Dr. Sunil Kumar (2025). Education as an Instrument of Social Mobility: A Comparative Analysis of Policy Outcomes in Marginalized Communities. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 1(1), 1-10. https://www.ep-journals.org/articles/education-as-an-instrument-of-social-mobility-a-comparative-analysis-9aec9648
@article{Dr2025,
title = {Education as an Instrument of Social Mobility: A Comparative Analysis of Policy Outcomes in Marginalized Communities},
author = {Dr. Sunil Kumar},
journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
year = {2025},
volume = {1},
number = {1},
pages = {1-10},
url = {https://www.ep-journals.org/articles/education-as-an-instrument-of-social-mobility-a-comparative-analysis-9aec9648}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
Dr. Sunil Kumar.
Where and when was it published?
In Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, Volume 1, Issue 1, pages 1-10, published by EP Journals Group on 1 July 2025.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V1E1/2025-A001. Registration with Crossref is in progress.
How do I cite this article?
APA: Dr. Sunil Kumar (2025). Education as an Instrument of Social Mobility: A Comparative Analysis of Policy Outcomes in Marginalized Communities. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 1(1), 1-10. https://www.ep-journals.org/articles/education-as-an-instrument-of-social-mobility-a-comparative-analysis-9aec9648
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