Moving Mountains: Education, Career and Migration Aspirations of Youth in the Hill Region of Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

This thesis analyses how migration shapes the educational and career aspirations of school going young people in rural mountain communities. Focussing on district Almora in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, India, it explores how the widespread migration from this region influences the aspirations of senior secondary school students who have not yet migrated. Guided by the central question, "How are education and career aspirations shaped amongst the youth in the context of extensive migration in the rural Himalayan region of Uttarakhand?", the research examines the aspirations of the youth, the socio-economic factors influencing these aspirations, and the role of migration in shaping them. The study employs a mixed-methods approach to capture the diverse dimensions of aspirations among youth. The thesis analyses aspirations with reference to migration as the omnipresent social phenomenon in the lives of young people. It uses the theorisation of migration as a function of aspirations and capabilities to analyse the migration influence on aspirations, integrating theories of aspiration formation and migration processes. Key findings demonstrate that educational and career aspirations are significantly constrained by structural factors such as inadequate development infrastructure and limited educational and career guidance. The study also reveals a gender and caste-based disparity in migration aspirations. The thesis argues that the migration of family members, specifically older siblings, and young people from the community, positively influences the youth, providing financial support, exposure to broader opportunities and encouragement to try new, previously unobserved career pathways, thereby expanding the collective capacity to aspire of the communities. The thesis contributes to the understanding of youth aspirations in mountainous regions, emphasising the intertwined nature of aspirations and migration within the broader context of socio-economic development. The findings underscore the importance of addressing structural barriers and enhancing educational and career guidance to foster a more aspirational outlook among youth in rural, disadvantaged mountain villages. The research concludes with a discussion on development policy and practice, aimed at addressing the challenges of young people in Uttarakhand and enhancing the capacity to aspire.