Statistics published by the Department for Education and Employment reveal that pupils from the Indian community are much more likely to continue in education at the age of 16 and are more likely to aspire to enter higher education than other pupils.

At the age of 18, 80% of Indian pupils are studying for qualifications, compared to only 50% of white pupils.

Baroness Blackstone says the survey shows the dangers of a divided society

While 39% of 18-year-old Indians are studying with the "main aim" of going to university, this figure drops to 11% of black pupils. Among white 18 year olds, 23% have higher education as their main goal, which is outstripped by 27% for all Asian pupils (including Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani and others).

The survey, Youth Cohort Study: The Activities and Experiences of 16 and 18 Year Olds in England Wales 1998, also looks at the impact of social backgrounds on education.

Children from the families of manual workers achieving five or more good GCSEs has risen to 36%, but this compares to 65% for children from non-manual worker families.

The Education Minister, Baroness Blackstone, welcomed the evidence that "a large number of Asian students have clearly benefited from a good secondary and further education".

But addressing the continuing underachievement of black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi pupils, Baroness Blackstone said the "study shows how far we have to go, to strike a balance and ensure society is not divided between have and have-nots".

The minister noted that Pakistani and Bangladeshi pupils were the most likely not to hold any qualifications, a failing which she hoped the government's Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant would help to tackle.