A Thesis submitted to the BHARATHIDASAN UNIVERSITY in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SOCIAL WORK By V. Jaisee Suvetha Under the Supervision and Guidance of Dr. Selwyn Stanley P.G AND RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK BISHOP HEBER COLLEGE (Autonomous and Nationally Accredited by NAAC with A+) Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India – 620 017 2011 a DR. SELWYN STANLEY Head, Department of Social Work Bishop Heber College (Retired) Tiruchirappilli, Tamil Nadu, India & Lecturer, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom CERTIFICATE OF THE SUPERVISOR This is to certify that the thesis entitled „CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI DISTRICT – A SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS‟ submitted by V. JAISEE SUVETHA in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SOCIAL WOK, at BHARATHIDASAN UNIVERSITY, TIRUCHIRAPPALLI is a bonafide work done by her under my supervision during the year 2005 - 2011. This thesis has not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma, fellowship or any other similar title to anyone and that the thesis represents entirely an independent work on the part of the candidate. Dr. Selwyn Stanley Research Supervisor Place: Tiruchirappalli b V. Jaisee Suvetha Department of Social Work Bishop Heber College Tiruchirappilli. DECLARATION OF THE CANDITATE I, V. JAISEE SUVETHA hereby declare that the thesis entitled CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI DISTRICT – A SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS is a original work done by me for the award of degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social work of Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli. The work has not been submitted by anybody to any university for the award of any degree, diploma, etc. V. Jaisee Suvetha Candidate Place: Tiruchirappalli ______________________________________________________________ c “I bow my head in gratitude to the GOD, who has given the strength for my work” The performance of prescribed duties is obligatory for everyone. Lord Krishna categorically and comprehensively explains how it is the duty of each and every member of society to carry out their functions and responsibilities in their respective stage of life according to the rules and regulations of the society in which one lives. Further the Lord explains why such duties must be performed, what benefit is gained by performing them, what harm is caused by not performing them. Plus what actions lead to bondage and what actions lead to salvation. Chapter 3: The Eternal Duties of Human Beings –“The Bhagavad-Gita” d ACKNOWLEDGEMENT “All thanks to the Lord Almighty for His showers of blessings on me at all times” I am sincerely thankful to Mr.M.P. Vijayakumar,I.A.S, State Project Director Tamil Nadu State Mission of Education for All - Sarva Shiksha Abhiya (Retired), Chennai and the District Administration, Tiruchirappalli (Government of Tamilnadu), for granting me the permission to do my research work on Children Out-of-School in Tirucirappalli. I am highly thankful to Dr.(Mrs). K. Meena, Vice-Chancellor, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Taminadu for granting me the permission to pursue my research under the Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli. I am immensely thankful to Rev.Dr. P. Monoharan, Principal, Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli, Taminadu, for permitting me to carry out my research work in the esteemed institution (Bishop Heber College). I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have had Dr. Selwyn Stanley, Head, Department of Social Work, Bishop Heber College (Retired), Tiruchirappilli, Tamil Nadu, India & Lecturer, University of Plymouth, U.K. as a Research Advisor / Supervisor. He has been an inspiration to me in my research progression, as he was the one who constantly advised me to get the Ph.D early. His most valuable guidance and advice had facilitated me to think, analyze and interpret the data. During the past years, I realize the incredible experience to understand not only his insights into the specifics of my work, but his fundamental move toward research that emphasizes rigorousness and ethics. I submit my sincere thankfulness to him for his intellectual academic input contributed for me to complete my research work successfully. I am deeply indebted to Dr. A. Relton, Head, Department of Social Work, Bishop Heber College, Tirucirappalli, Tamilnadu for his constant encouragement and motivation that forced me to complete the research work fruitfully under the PG and Research Department of Social Work, Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli. I am greatly thankful to Dr.V. Sethuramalingam, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappali, Taminadu, for his continuous timely support and motivation, enthusiasm in providing appropriate information and valuable suggestions that have helped me to proceed further in the precise way for completion of my thesis. i I have great pleasure in expressing my heartfelt thanks to my Professor, Dr. (Mrs). Shankari Santhanam, Vice Principal, Head, Department of Social Work, Cauvery College for Women (Retired), Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, for her genuine review of my thesis and consistent support that have helped me a lot to complete my thesis perfectly. I am bound to thank my Well-wisher, Mrs. Sheeba Selwyn, Former City Coordinator, Child Line, Tiruchirappalli, for her stable encouragement behind my work and her constant advise that have steered up me to finish the research in a successful manner. I owe my special thanks to Dr. R. Ravanan, Reader in Statistics, Presidency College, Chennai for his valuable help and support in the statistical tests application of my research work. I would like to express my deep thanks to Dr. (Mrs). N. Kalamani, Head, Dept.of English, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappallli, Mr. R. Victor Lazarus, Senior Zonal Trainer, Southern Railway, Tiruchirappalli and Dr.(Mrs.) B.S. Prameela Priadersini, Assistant Professor, Dept. of English, Govt. Arts College for Women, Pudhukottai for their continuous timely help, having proof read the manuscripts / thesis and providing comments. I will be failing in my duty if I do not express special thanks to the Officials of Department of School Education and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Government of Tamil Nadu) in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli for their constant help in providing me the relevant basic details and reference materials for my research work. I extend my special thanks to the Teachers of Regular Government School, Tirucirappalli and also I acknowledge and appreciate the Teachers of Special Schools, National Child Labour Project (CHEERS),Tiruchirappalli for the facilities provided and cooperation extended during the collection of data for my research in the whole district. I find no words to thank the assets of the Nation, young Children, who were out of school and their Parents / Guardian and also the local Community people in Tiruchirappalli district, for their good responsiveness, patience and kind cooperation exposed during the collection of data for my research in the district. ii I am very much pleased to thank all my Colleagues in the Office of Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project, Chennai for their encouragement and appreciation shown towards me to finish my work. My special thanks are also due to my beloved friends Ms. Zarina Parveen, Mr. Rajendran, Mr.Pradeep, Dr.Anand Jerald, Dr.Saleel Kumar & Mr.Saravanan, for their genuine and great help continuously that have motivated me to speed up my process. I place on record my profound sense of gratitude to my family friend, Mr. I.M. Christudoss, Office Superintendent, Directorate of Medical & Rural Health Services (Retired), Chennai for his worthy motivation and being concerned that have supported me in a great way towards executing my research work in time. I deem it a great privilege to acknowledge the loving efforts and emotional support of my Father Mr. S. Vadivel and Mother Mrs.V. Rajeswari that have geared me to accomplish this arduous work in an excellent manner. A very special word of appreciation and thankfulness to my Cheerful Aunty (Chitthi) Smt.N. Saroja, Sweet Sister Dr.V. Jaisee Geetha and Lovely Brother Er.V. Vijay for believing in me and supporting me in shouldering additional responsibilities on my behalf, which paved a smooth way for me to go forward and conclude my research confidently. I would prefer dedicating this thesis to the revered and fond memory of my Uncle (Chitthappa) Late S. Natarajan, who was source of inspiration always to me. V. Jaisee Suvetha iii LIST OF CONTENTS S. No. Particulars Page No. 1. Title Page 2. Certificate 3. Declaration 4. Acknowledgement i 5. List of Contents iv 6. List of Tables v 7. List of Figures vii S. No. Title Page No. 1. Chapter-I Introduction 1 2. Chapter-II Review of Literature 30 3. Chapter-III Research Methodology 67 4. Chapter-IV Data Analysis and Interpretation 89 o Interview Schedule 89 o Case Study 128 o Focus Group Discussion 135 5. Chapter-V Findings, Suggestions and 197 Conclusion 6. Bibliography 260 7. Appendix 272 o Interview Schedule 272 o Interview Guide 289 iv LIST OF TABLES Table Title Page No. No. 1. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS’ BY THEIR SOCIO- 89 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS 2. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS’ BY THEIR SOCIO-ECONOMIC 91 CHARACTERISTICS 3. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS’ BY THEIR SCHOOL LAST 92 ATTENDED 4. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS’ BY THEIR INCIDENCE OF OUT 93 OF SCHOOL 5. SCHOOL RELATED FACTORS INFLUENCING RESPONDENTS TO BE 93 OUT OF SCHOOL 6. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING RESPONDENTS TO BE 96 OUT OF SCHOOL 7. SOCIAL FACTORS INFLUENCING RESPONDENTS TO BE OUT 98 SCHOOL 8. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS ACCORDING TO THEIR 101 EXPERIENCES OF ABUSE 9. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS ACCORDING TO THEIR 101 EXPERIENCE OF BULLYING 10. IMPLICATIONS OF BEING OUT OF SCHOOL FOR THE CHILDREN 102 AND THEIR FAMILY 11. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS BY THEIR FUTURE ASPIRATION 103 12. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS ACCORDING TO THEIR 104 SITUATION BEING OUT OF SCHOOL 13. RESPONDENTS’ OPINION OF THEIR ACTIVITIES WHEN OUT OF 107 SCHOOL 14.