Analysis of Factors Affecting Accessibility of Education among the Fisherwomen of Tamil Nadu, India
Vanisree C.
*
Department of Education, CDOE, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India.
K. Krishnamoorthy
Department of Education, CDOE, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Fisherwomen in coastal regions of India represent a socio-economically marginalised group whose access to education is constrained by poverty, gender norms, occupational demands and limited awareness of welfare provisions.
Aim: The present study aimed to analyse the factors affecting accessibility of education among fisherwomen in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, and to examine whether significant differences exist in educational drawbacks across selected demographic variables.
Method: A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Data were collected from 200 fisherwomen selected through purposive sampling from Mandapam and Tangachimadam. A structured questionnaire consisting of 26 items on a 3-point Likert scale was used. The reliability of the tool was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha (0.82), and content validity was established through expert review. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test and ANOVA) at the 0.05 level of significance.
Results: The findings revealed that 40% of respondents were illiterate, while only 7.5% had completed higher secondary education and above, indicating low educational attainment. A majority (75%) of respondents reported a lack of awareness of government welfare schemes, and 41.5% were unemployed, reflecting economic instability. Inferential analysis indicated no significant differences in educational drawbacks based on age, nature of family, employment status, educational status or awareness of government schemes, suggesting that educational barriers were experienced across the groups.
Conclusion: The study concluded that educational accessibility among fisherwomen is primarily constrained by structural socio-economic conditions, entrenched gender norms and inadequate dissemination of welfare schemes, necessitating targeted educational and policy interventions.
Keywords: Fisherwomen, educational accessibility, socio-economic constraints, gender norms, coastal communities, government schemes, adult literacy, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, educational drawbacks