Every student carries a unique narrative shaped by their personal experiences and journey. For first-generation learners—those who are the first in their families to attend college or university—the educational experience can often feel particularly daunting. They are a unique and inspiring part of the educational landscape, navigating significant obstacles and uncharted territory for their families. Their journey not only showcases resilience but also has the potential to drive both personal and communal growth.
Trailing through difficulties
First-generation students frequently come from historically underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds that have faced systemic oppression. They often find themselves entangled in financial constraints, juggle numerous responsibilities and navigate complex educational systems without the benefit of familial guidance. This lower socio-economic status often translates into a comparative lack of material resources that the student needs to be academically successful. In fact, these students frequently find themselves at crossroads: while educational institutions may not offer the same support or opportunities as they do to their more privileged peers, these students are forced to forge their own paths without the support of family.
A series of studies conducted over the past few decades highlight a significant gap in support for first-generation learners compared to their peers. For instance, Kuljeet Kaur Brar’s research, titled ‘Educational Problems of First-Generation Learners and Non-First-Generation Learners in Relation to Achievement Motivation and Home Environment’, indicates that many first-generation learners experience an inferiority complex, which often leads to shyness and reduced responsiveness in the classroom.
Additionally, these students frequently face challenges in gaining recognition and may encounter disapproval from teachers, who, in turn, may exhibit discriminatory behavior towards them. This underscores the systemic barriers and biases that first-generation learners must navigate in their educational journey. Similarly, in her article, Aishwarya Raj, a first-generation student, explores how caste and class significantly shape the educational experience in India. Raj’s insights reveal how these social factors create barriers that impact students’ access to and success within the educational system.
Inclusion
Within first-generation learners, each student brings its own set of unique challenges. For instance, students from war-torn regions often face displacement, which can lead to profound trauma and emotional distress. Students who come from such disrupted environments might lack foundational educational experiences and support systems, further complicating their ability to thrive in a new academic setting. These compounded effects highlight the need for tailored support to address these diverse and significant obstacles.
Catalysts of change
Research indicates that students from underrepresented backgrounds often struggle to complete high school, let alone pursue higher education. In such a scenario, there is no doubt that attainment of a degree or diploma opens up new career opportunities that were previously inaccessible. This in turn leads to improved job prospects, higher earning potential and greater job security. The confidence gained through academic success often extends into other areas, fostering a sense of self-efficacy and empowerment that profoundly alters their outlook on life.
Most importantly, first-generation learners can create opportunities for many. Once first-generation learners join the workforce, it also opens doors to the family and in turn their community to lead a better life. This further leads to a ripple effect which gives rise to more role models within the communities, which, in turn, inspires future generations to focus on education. Their impact on their communities is the most significant. As they achieve milestones in their respective professional fields, they become role models and sources of inspiration for others in their community. Their accomplishments demonstrate that higher education is attainable, thereby motivating younger generations and peers to pursue similar goals.
Case studies
Take the case of Raju Kendre, a first-generation learner from a nomadic tribe community from Central India whose lived experience motivated him to start ‘Eklavya India’, an organisation that attempts to aid first-generation learners pursue higher education and promotes grassroots leadership in his home region. In an interview with Forbes, Kendre talked about an experience that highlighted the cultural and socio-economic barriers the students face. He shared how when speaking to students who were first-generation learners, he asked about premiere public institutes like Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Jawaharlal Nehru University and how not a single student raised their hand to express their willingness to join those institutes because they felt so discouraged.
Kendre’s work highlights how first generation learners can eventually become actively involved in community service and use their educational experience to address local issues, contribute to community development, and advocate for policies that promote educational access and equity. It won’t be an overstatement that helping one student from the community can allow the upliftment of the larger community. One can witness how this can help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and inequality. This upward mobility has a cascading effect, as improved financial stability often leads to better living conditions for subsequent generations.
Moreover, the success of first-generation learners can shift family expectations and values towards education. Parents and siblings who may have previously viewed higher education as an unattainable goal can see it as a viable path, leading to increased emphasis on educational attainment within the family.
A long way forward
Despite their impressive accomplishments, first-generation learners often encounter persistent challenges such as navigating systemic barriers, juggling multiple roles, and meeting high expectations. These obstacles can make it exceedingly difficult for them to break into formal workplaces or advance up the corporate ladder, even with higher education. To address this, we need a robust system that fosters educational equity and ensures a level playing field for everyone. It is crucial to recognise and support the transformative potential of first-generation learners, who drive significant change in their own lives and their communities.
Smile Foundation has been instrumental in supporting first-generation learners, recognising the unique challenges they face and the transformative impact they can have on their communities. Through initiatives like the Mission Education programme, Smile Foundation has provided access to quality education for underserved children, many of whom are first-generation learners. This programme not only focuses on academic learning but also on creating a nurturing environment that helps these students overcome the systemic barriers they face. By offering support in the form of scholarships, mentorship and skill development, we provide students with the resources and guidance they need to navigate the complex educational landscape.
Beyond education
In addition to its work in primary and secondary education, Smile Foundation’s Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP) plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between education and employment for first-generation learners among others. This programme offers vocational training that equips young people with the skills they need to secure meaningful employment, thereby breaking the cycle of participation that often holds their communities back.
By focusing on both education and employability, we are helping first-generation learners not only achieve their own dreams but also become catalysts for change within their families and communities. Their success stories inspire others to pursue education and strive for better opportunities, creating widespread social and economic upliftment.