The equalisation of educational opportunities is essentially linked with the notion of equality in the social system. In a social system if all the individuals are treated as equal, they get equal opportunities for advancement. Since education is one of the most important means of upward mobility, it is through an exposure to education one can aspire to achieve higher status, position and emoluments.
But for getting education he must have equal opportunities like other members of the society. In case educational opportunities are unequally distributed, the inequalities in the social structure continue to be perpetuated, it is in this light the quality of educational opportunity has been visualised.
The need for emphasising the equality of opportunity in education arise due to number of reasons. Some of these reasons are enumerated below:
(a) It is needed because it is through the education to all the people in a democracy; the success of democratic institutions is assured.
(b) The equality of educational opportunities will ensure rapid development of a nation.
(c) A closer link between the manpower needs of a society and the availability of a skilled personnel will develop.
(d) People with specialised talents for specialised jobs in a large number will be available and the society will be benefited.
