The silent exclusion of first generation learners from educational scenario-a profile from puncha block of Purulia District,West Bengal

First generation learners are the first one in their entire generation to go to school and to receive education. This exceptional nature makes them “special need children”. Uneducated parents fail to provide any educational, vocational or personal guidance to their children because there is no provision of appropriate educational environment at home. The present study encompasses the first generation learners of Puncha block of Puruliya district. Low female literacy rate (41.2% according to Census, 2001) and lack of enough employment opportunity have made 21 villages (out of 170 villages) backward in the block. About 164 Primary, 5 Upper Primary and 20 numbers of Upper Primary and Sec. /Higher Secondary schools are there in the Puncha block. Huge number of first generation learners predominate the educational scenario of the block under scrutiny. The study tries to highlight various facets of first generation learners like their ambitions in life, their social background, nature of drop out and factors responsible for it,, their views on the present education system, etc. It also attempts to explore the problems faced by the first generation learners at school, their hesitation to communicate or share their problems, feelings or doubts with their teachers and classmates. Their low academic achievement is also an area of concern. Even in their personal life, they experience difficulty in sharing their feelings and views with their peers. Besides, inferiority complex, lack of initiative in them, maladjustment and underdeveloped personality are the various features of first generation learners to be highlighted in the present enquiry. There is need to develop positive behaviour in them.