A Comparative Study on Level of Educational Aspiration of Secondary School Students of Baripada Municipality

Educational aspiration is a key psychological factor influencing students’ academic motivation, future goals, and personal development. This study investigates and compares the levels of educational aspiration among Class IX and X students under two educational boards- CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and BSE (Board of Secondary Education), Odisha. It also explores gender-based differences in aspiration within each board. The objectives were: (1) to compare educational aspirations between CBSE and BSE students, (2) to examine gender differences among BSE students, and (3) to examine gender differences among CBSE students. Using a descriptive survey method, the study involved 180 students (90 from each board, with equal representation of male and female students) selected through stratified random sampling. The “Level of Educational Aspiration Test” by Dr. Yashmin Ghani Khan was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests. The findings revealed a significant difference in educational aspiration between the two boards. CBSE students had higher mean scores (M = 23.71) compared to BSE students (M = 22.62), leading to the rejection of the first null hypothesis. Within the BSE group, female students scored slightly higher (M = 24.20) than males (M = 23.22), though not significantly, thus retaining the second hypothesis. In contrast, CBSE male students scored significantly higher (M = 23.16) than females (M = 22.09), resulting in the rejection of the third hypothesis. The study, limited to Baripada Municipality, underscores the influence of board affiliation and gender on student aspirations and recommends targeted interventions, especially for BSE students and CBSE females.