Educational Development in Blocks of Paschim Medinipur District (West Bengal) between 2005-2006 and 2012-2013:Panel Data Analysis through Education Index

Education is considered as a crucial factor in determining the level of social development of a region directly and the level of its economic development indirectly. Educational development being multi-faceted, this paper constructs a composite Education Index for the Blocks of Paschim Medinipur District (West Bengal, India) over the period 2005-2006 to 2012-2013. Education Index is observed to have high inter-block as well as high inter-temporal variations. These variations are explained by factors like social status of the people, urbanization, employment status and demographic structure in a panel data framework. Urbanization, social status of the people and demographic structure are statistically significant both partially and individually. Work Participation Rate is statistically significant partially but not individually.