TED NewsDesk, New Delhi: Education plays a vital role in one’s life, it helps to shape and build the future of an individual regardless of gender. It is an essential part of living. However, from ages, the education of the girl’s child has always been neglected or ignored specially in India. Though in terms of population, India is the second-highest, but the rate of female’s education is very low. The main problem is the backward mindset of people, for them educating a girl is futile as she has to be married off and settle somewhere else. Yes, we live in the 21st century and, this is the mindset of many people even those who are educated.
Well, one of the main reasons for this is gender stereotypes. Women and girls have always been seen as a burden and someone else property. They are supposed to take care of households and children. They are usually forbidden from even stepping out of their house mainly in rural India. According to the national data reveals that dropout rate for girls at the elementary level are 4.10% which rises to 16.88% at the secondary level, with the figures being substantially higher for girls from vulnerable groups (19.05% for SC and 24.4% for ST groups) (U-DISE 2015-16). The retention rate of girls at the elementary level is 70.6% which drops to the secondary level is 55.5% (U-DISE 2016-17). There is also lack of safety concerns, distance between home and school, lack of affordable sanitary napkins, absence of separate and functional toilets, and poor school infrastructure, several teenage girls tend to become irregular in attending schools or drop out before completing their schooling.
This has to be improved! Educating a girl brings a massive change in society. It is the necessity for the development of the country as they play equally vital roles in it as men. It is a basic fundamental right of a woman to get educated in a Democratic country like India. It is such a pity that this right is however limited only till books while a majority of the women lack this right in actual life. More awareness is needed for the education of girls to make people realize the importance of it.
There are various schemes brought by the government for the same. Some of them are
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
- Sukanya Samridhhi Yojana
- Balika Samridhi Yojana
- Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Scholarship Scheme/Policy for Girl Education
- Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana (Rajasthan)
- National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education
- Mukhyamantri Laadli Yojana (Jharkhand)
- Ladli Laxmi Yojana (Madhya Pradesh)
- Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana (Uttarakhand)
- Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree (Maharashtra)
- Kanyashree Prakalpa (West Bengal)
These schemes include a monthly allowance of certain amounts. This is not only for eliminatory institutions but also for colleges and universities education. Besides this, they’re given scholarships for completing certain educational programs. This helps not only in reducing the female foeticide but also makes the parent realize that daughters are not a burden. They are also encouraged to give them education as they don’t have to worry about financial expenses
There are various Non-government Organizations (NGOs) that are also contributing to help girl’s education and bring an improvement in it. Many of these institutions set up camps and provide financially as well as advising people on the importance of it. However, this is not enough. We as a society have to understand and change the basic idea that we have about women and girls. There are so many women and girls out there today in every field who are making the Nation proud all over the world. We just need to give them a wing, and they will fly as high as the sky. Stereotype and discrimination need to be stopped. The gender gap has to be narrowed further.
However, we are happy that things are improving for much better. With more and more students coming out with flying wings, these examples are giving other girls a chance to achieve their dream. The situation in rural areas is also improving gradually. With all the schemes and donations, things are getting possible to be done which weren’t before. The more gender equality is given, the more we will see ourselves as prosperous Nations.
