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Ahmedabad: Are students choosing science different from those choosing business or humanities at high school level? When it comes to behavioural traits, there’s no major correlation, claims a study carried out by a team of researchers. They stressed on the choice part along with cognitive abilities.
The study ‘Science Education and Labour Market Outcomes in a Developing Economy’ published in ‘Economic Inquiry’ has been authored by Tarun Jain from IIM Ahmedabad, Abhiroop Mukhopadhyay from Indian Statistical Institute, Nishith Prakash from University of Connecticut, and Raghav Rakesh from Michigan State University.
They had carried out a primary survey on 524 students in Class 12 in 44 schools in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar to find traits of science and non-science students based on tests to ascertain ambiguity aversion, positive personality traits and Cognitive Reflection Test. “The scores do not differ by stream choice. We found a weak correlation between grit and the likelihood of studying science,” mentioned the paper.
The paper argued that choosing science at high school level improves earning potential. But the study points at a larger picture. The paper argues that complementary skills – ranging from English to computer and communication to technical – are the real key to change.
“Scientific temperament is valuable. The government should invest in better science teachers, science labs in all schools, as well as computer and language training before students leave school,” said Prof Jain, a professor of economics at IIM-A.
In Gujarat, experts said that taking science is more common in urban areas due to factors ranging from socio-economic to aptitude and information about future prospects. Kirit Joshi, former principal of Diwan Ballubhai School, said, “One must not link just science education with money, but also to ensure that these students contribute to innovation, technology and societal development. Career counselling at an early stage could also prove to be beneficial.”
(With inputs from Bharat Yagnik)
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