INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCE RESEARCH
IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Higher education plays a crucial role in promoting social mobility, economic empowerment, and social inclusion among marginalized communities. The Matua community, a significant Scheduled Caste group in West Bengal, has historically experienced social exclusion, economic deprivation, and limited educational opportunities. Despite various governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access among disadvantaged groups, Matua students continue to encounter numerous barriers in pursuing higher education. This study investigates the socio-economic barriers and educational aspirations of Matua students in West Bengal, focusing on family income, educational access, first-generation learner status, financial constraints, scholarship awareness, career aspirations, and rural-urban disparities. A descriptive and analytical research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 400 Matua students enrolled in colleges and universities across selected districts of West Bengal. The findings indicate that low household income, inadequate parental education, limited awareness of educational support schemes, and insufficient institutional support significantly affect educational participation. The study also reveals that first-generation learners face greater academic and psychological challenges than students from educated families. Rural students encounter more severe infrastructural and financial constraints than their urban counterparts. Despite these challenges, Matua students exhibit strong educational aspirations and view higher education as a pathway toward social mobility and economic advancement. The study highlights the need for targeted educational policies, enhanced scholarship dissemination mechanisms, mentorship programs, and institutional support structures to improve educational outcomes among Matua students.