Section Article

Privatization of Education and Social Stratification
Author(s): Parmeesh Verma

Abstract
The privatization of education has emerged as one of the most significant transformations in contemporary educational systems across the world particularly in developing countries. With the gradual withdrawal of the state from its welfare responsibilities and the increasing involvement of private actors education has increasingly been treated as a market-driven commodity rather than a public good. This shift has generated intense debates regarding access equity quality and social justice. The present research paper critically examines the relationship between privatization of education and social stratification. It explores how privatized educational structures reproduce and intensify existing social inequalities based on class caste gender and region. By analyzing theoretical perspectives empirical studies and policy trends the paper argues that privatization often strengthens hierarchical social divisions by creating unequal access to quality education. While proponents claim that privatization improves efficiency and choice the paper highlights how market-oriented education systems tend to marginalize disadvantaged groups and consolidate privilege among socio-economically dominant sections. The study concludes that unchecked privatization poses serious challenges to inclusive development and social mobility making it imperative to reassert education as a public responsibility grounded in equity and social justice.