Capabilities of Students

Abstract

The notions of studying in an institute and getting an education are instinctively understood as identical in nature, being elusive to the idea that entry into a formal educational system may not always and directly imply the holistic growth and development of an individual. The entry and existence into a formal educational setting provide an individual with a new sphere for socialization. This implies that an individual’s exposure to such a dynamic environment provides new scope for building, changing, disputing or reinforcing one’s attitudes, belief systems, preferences, etc. It creates a new platform to facilitate the process of building one’s self concept, one’s identity. This makes it imperative for us to understand the elements or factors during one’s educational journey that can either enhance or diminish the freedom and efforts of an individual towards striving for holistic well-being. Through the lens of capability approach, the present chapter attempts to understand the factors that may influence or hinder the capacity of a student’s being, throughout his or her educational journey, starting from schooling to postgraduation. The present chapter also attempts to envisage a very tentative idea of certain capabilities of a student that may be considered as fundamental prerequisites for one’s optimal functioning in a formal educational system.