Context-

The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 report on global gender gaps ranked India 129th out of 146 economies, highlighting a decline in the education sector as a significant factor. Examining figures from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) and the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), and explores measures needed to ensure both girls and boys complete their education.

The Widening Gender Gap in Education

Educational Attainment Indicators

The WEF’s June report indicates that updated figures in educational attainment have caused India’s gender parity levels to decline from the previous year. Although women's enrolment in primary, secondary, and tertiary education is high, the literacy rate gap between men and women is 17.2 percentage points. In the 18th edition of the report, India’s score in the education category dipped to 0.964, ranking 124th in educational attainment, a significant drop from the previous year’s perfect score of 1.000, when India ranked 26th. The main indicators include enrolment levels in primary, secondary, and tertiary education, as well as the adult literacy rate.

Data Interpretation

According to WEF’s Insight and Data Lead, the source data for educational attainment indicators are collected by UNESCO and updated periodically. The 18th edition of the Index used data from 2022 and 2023, whereas the 17th edition included data from 2018, 2021, and 2022. The changes in scores could reflect updates in the values corresponding to the indicators, necessitating careful interpretation of gender parity data.

Indian Statistics on School and College Enrolment

School Enrolment Data

The Union Education Ministry uses UDISE+ and AISHE to track school and college enrolment data. The UDISE+ report for 2021-22 shows that girls make up 48% of the school population, with 13.79 crore boys and 12.73 crore girls enrolled. However, this percentage varies at different educational stages. In preschool, girls constitute 46.8% of enrolled children, rising to 47.8% in primary school (Classes 1 to 5), and 48.3% in upper primary (Classes 6 to 8). The percentage drops to 47.9% in secondary school (Classes 9 and 10), indicating that some girls drop out when free education ends after Class 8. However, at the higher secondary level (Classes 11 and 12), the gender gap narrows to 48.3%, showing that girls who access secondary education are more likely to complete it.

Higher Education Enrolment

The AISHE report for 2021-22 reveals that the gross enrolment ratio (GER) for women in higher education is 28.5%, slightly higher than the male GER of 28.3%. Female enrolment in higher education has increased by 32% since 2014-15. However, data for 2022-23 has not yet been published by UDISE+ or AISHE.

Impact of Incentives for Girls’ Education

School Infrastructure and Accessibility

The construction of more schools has had the most significant impact on girls' education. Proximity to schools encourages parents to enrol their children, especially girls. According to National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, the number of schools has grown significantly since the mid-90s, correlating with a spike in girls’ enrolment nationwide. However, regional differences persist. In Gujarat, where secondary and higher secondary schools are predominantly private, girls make up only 45.2% of secondary students, compared to higher percentages in poorer states like Jharkhand (50.7%), Chhattisgarh (51.2%), Bihar (50.1%), and Uttar Pradesh (45.4%).

Female Teachers and Safety

The presence of female teachers is crucial. In areas with low enrolment, schools often employ only one or two teachers, and parents are reluctant to send their daughters to schools with only male teachers. Ensuring a balanced teacher gender ratio can improve enrolment and retention rates for girls.

Transportation and Sanitation

Transport facilities, such as free bus passes in Haryana, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu, and free cycles in Bihar, have improved enrolment, though similar schemes were less effective in Rajasthan. Sanitation issues remain a major barrier, especially for girls after puberty. Despite government-funded construction of washrooms in schools, maintenance is often neglected, leading to dropouts after Class 8.

Future Challenges

Addressing Male Dropouts

While many states have successfully closed the gender gap in higher classes, concerns about boys dropping out before completing school are rising. In West Bengal, girls make up 55.7% of higher secondary students; in Chhattisgarh, 53.1%; and in Tamil Nadu, 51.2%. The Right to Education Act, which prevents failing students until Class 8, may contribute to this trend. Boys who fail in secondary levels often drop out, sometimes due to pressure to earn a living. Measures are needed to ensure boys remain engaged and complete their education.

Higher Education and Adult Literacy

Although the female GER in higher education is higher than the male GER, regional and discipline-wise disparities exist. Women constitute only 42.5% of students in STEM fields from undergraduate to Ph.D. levels. Encouraging more girls to pursue STEM disciplines is a challenge. Adult literacy remains a concern, with only 64.63% of women literate compared to 80.88% of men, according to the 2011 Census. Efforts to improve foundational literacy in schools and extend education to rural women are essential to closing the gender gap.

Conclusion

Addressing the gender gap in education requires a multifaceted approach, including building more schools, hiring female teachers, providing safe transportation, and ensuring adequate sanitation. While significant progress has been made in enrolling and retaining girls in school, efforts must also focus on preventing boys from dropping out and encouraging more women to pursue higher education and STEM fields. Achieving educational parity is crucial for India’s overall development and requires sustained commitment and strategic interventions.

Source- The Hindu