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Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
How National Education Policy seeks to bridge gender gap in education
— Rituparna Patgiri Malala Day, celebrated on July 12, honours the bravery of Malala Yousafzai who has become a symbol of the fight for girls' education. Her fight began when she stood up against the Taliban in Pakistan and advocated for girls' right to education. A Taliban gunman shot her on October 9, 2012, for not following restrictions on girls' education. However, following her recovery, she continued her fight for girls' education. Her story continues to inspire global efforts to ensure equitable and inclusive education. Malala Day offers an opportune moment to revisit girls' education in India, specifically in light of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which is largely seen as a transformative step in the country's education system The NEP, which replaced the National Education Policy of 1986, gives a comprehensive framework for both school and higher education. The objective is to make India's education more inclusive, equitable, holistic, multidisciplinary and flexible. It reflects India's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It also aims to address existing gender inequalities through its provisions. This is in alignment with SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The primary focus areas of NEP 2020 with respect to gender are access and equity, curriculum and infrastructure building and gender sensitisation. When it comes to school education, India has made significant strides in girls' enrollment after the enactment of the Right to Education Act of 2009. According to the report titled The Indian Economy: A Review released by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in January 2024, the female gross enrollment ratio (GER) in higher education increased from 6.7 per cent in 2000-01 to 27.9 per cent in 2020-21. The same report also suggests that more girls are in higher education than boys now. But school dropout rates remain a concern. According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), in 2021–22, 12.6 per cent of students dropped out of secondary education (9–10 class), 3 per cent from upper primary (6–8 class), and 1.5 per cent from primary education (1–5 class). Notably, the average dropout rate for girls in primary school is 1.4 per cent, while in upper primary, it is 3.3 per cent, and in secondary school, it is 12.3 per cent. The NEP 2020 aims to address dropout rates by targeting a 100 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030. As part of this effort, the government plans to create a Gender Inclusion Fund (GIF), which will be available to states for building inclusive, safe, and hygienic infrastructures, such as hostels and toilets, in schools. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), residential schools for girls from classes 6 to 12, will be expanded to increase participation in schools for girls from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Girls have been identified as one of the four Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) who require special protection. Women make up about half of all the SEDGs, cutting across caste, class and religion. To incentivise their school education, measures such as Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and transportation support like bicycles have been proposed to reduce dropout rates and retain girls in schools. Notably, the NEP also includes transgenders within this category. However, additional concrete measures for girls from marginalised communities, as well as transgender students, are needed in view of their higher dropout rates. The NEP talks about sensitisation of faculty, counsellors and students on issues of gender. But it needs to be extended to families to bridge the gap between parents and girls. In many cases, families do not realise the importance of education for girls and unknowingly engage them in carework and other household chores. As such, families need to be better sensitised about the significance of education for girls, as well as promoting ideas of gender equity. The NEP recognises gender sensitivity as an essential skill for all students and promotes gender equality as an integral part of the curriculum. However, measures such as placing greater emphasis on building a gender-sensitive curriculum, incorporating sex education and menstrual health in school education, and spreading awareness among girls, particularly in rural areas, about their legal, financial and digital rights are crucial for enabling them to become self-reliant. While NEP 2020 encourages online education, it falls short in addressing the gendered digital divide. As per the 2019-20 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), only one in three women (33 per cent) have ever used the internet, compared to 57 per cent of men. The gap becomes wider in rural areas, where 49 per cent of men have used the internet compared to 25 per cent of women. This digital divide is an obstacle to ensuring equitable access to online learning for girls and women. To address this disparity, the availability of computers, mobile phones and internet facilities at both institutional and individual levels needs to be ensured by the government so that women and girls have an equal chance to access and benefit from online education. The NEP also asks governments to take steps to enhance gender balance in admissions to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). To support this, trained social workers, counsellors and teachers will have to mediate between parents and HEIs, facilitating women's education at the higher levels. It is also necessary to focus on building government-run HEIs in small towns and cities, as families are often apprehensive about sending women to far-off places for education. Moreover, some other measures are significant to facilitate the entry of women into higher education and improve the gender balance, including: — Ensuring safe infrastructural facilities in HEIs like toilets, child care — Institutional and legal mechanisms to address grievances of sexual harassment — Provision of medical care and counselling — Strict implementation of anti-ragging and anti-sexual exploitation measures through dedicated units. In addition, more representation of women in educational leadership and policy-making is also required. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2024-25 highlights that women constitute 62.4 per cent of primary school teachers in India. But only 42.1 per cent of secondary school principals and 28.6 per cent of higher secondary school principals are women. At the higher education level, the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE 2022-23) reports that women make up 45.8 per cent of faculty. But only 31.2 per cent of them are in leadership roles, such as deans or vice-chancellors. These figures show that women continue to face structural and institutional barriers to breaking the glass ceiling. While the NEP 2020 emphasises children's health, it is equally important to ensure special care for girls. According to the NFHS-5, the prevalence of anaemia is 67.1 per cent for young girls (6–59 months). The anaemia rate among adolescent girls (15–19 years) is 59.1 per cent. This means that girls need better nutritional care in schools, especially in the midday meal. Girls often experience disproportionate nutritional stress because of gendered food habits, early marriage, pregnancy and the impact of menstrual health. Gender equality is seen as a cross-cutting priority to be achieved within the NEP 2020. However, structural resistance to gender equity is rooted in families and societies. Therefore, effective implementation of the NEP on the ground would require sustained engagement with non-governmental agencies and communities. To institutionalise gender sensitivity, modules on gender need to be included in the curriculum of teacher education programs. Within the school curriculum, emphasis on stories of women from diverse fields, such as science, mathematics, arts, literature, sports, would be yet another step in the right direction. Normalising women as role models from across communities is also essential. For these to happen, women should also be a part of the syllabus revision committees. Hence, the NEP 2020 advocates for gender equity, but only proper execution will make it a reality. Why is the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 seen as a transformative step in India's education system? Analyse its key objectives. Why does school drop out rate, particularly among girls, remain a persisting concern? How does NEP 2020 seek to address this? How does gendered digital divide hinder equitable access to education? How does the implementation of online education initiatives under NEP 2020 address it? Is it important to include families in gender sensitisation efforts under NEP 2020? What are the effective ways to overcome structural and societal barriers that continue to prevent women from entering leadership positions in education? (Rituparna Patgiri is an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati.) Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Back to school: Students greeted with ‘tilak', petal shower, kheer
LUCKNOW Lakhs of students at government-run primary and upper primary schools in UP were welcomed back from the summer vacation on Tuesday with a tilak, along with garlands, other activities and served kheer as part of mid-day meals. Students at a basic primary school in Gosainganj area enjoying kheer in lunch as schools reopened on Tuesday after the summer vacation. (Deepak Gupta/HT Photo) The start of 'School Chalo Abhiyan phase 2 - aimed at bringing children between the age 6 and 14 years to schools- saw a festival-like atmosphere. Public awareness about school enrolment was promoted through digital platforms and special emphasis was laid on participation of girls. As part of initiatives towards environmental protection, tree plantation programmes were organised in schools under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. The second phase of the campaign, launched by the basic education department, will continue till July 15. It is crucial because there has been a sharp decline in student enrolment, with 48 lakh fewer students in government primary and upper primary schools in the 2025-26 session compared to last year when enrolment was pegged at 1.48 crore students. UP basic education minister Sandeep Singh said: 'The second phase of 'School Chalo Abhiyan' by the UP government has started in a festive atmosphere. It is being run with the resolve to ensure door-to-door contact, special focus on enrolment of girls and access to children deprived of school. We are ensuring that no child is left behind in the new academic session.' In Lucknow, all the 47 students enrolled at primary school in Ahmamau turned up on Tuesday, as per the school's MDM register, said assistant teacher Sarika. Only one-third of students were present at the primary school, Mirzapur, in Gosainganj area of Lucknow. Out of 63, some 20-odd students were present, said head teacher Abha Sonkar. At the primary school in Tandola, located in the Marauri block of Pilibhit district, students were garlanded and applied 'roli chandan' on the first day of school, according to a post on X by the UP basic education department. APPEAL TO PARENTS In primary school, Amkheda, in Jalaun district, teachers and children issued a digital appeal and requested the community to send their children to school. This innovation became an example to inspire social participation towards education. 'BETI PADHE, PRADESH BADHE' Girls were warmly welcomed in all Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) of the state, including Lakhimpur Kheri, Varanasi, Ambedkarnagar, Unnao, Sultanpur and Jaunpur. Under the leadership of the Yogi government, special priority is being given to the education of girls. PLANTATION & OTHER PROGRAMMES While Shiksha Yatra started with the worship of Maa Sharda in Block Kalan composite school, Jakhiya, in Shahjahanpur, students were welcomed with a petal shower and 'tilak' in schools located in Karimpur, Ayodhya. The message of education was conveyed to people through rallies, wall writings and cultural events from Prayagraj to Saharanpur. Newly admitted students were welcomed with 'roli-tika' and garlands at Adarsh Samvilian Vidyalay, Prayagraj. Books and stationery were distributed by chief guest, chief development officer Harshika Singh (IAS). She flagged off the children's rally and planted trees like Rudraksh, Parijat, Maulshree, Mahogany, etc, under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. The new session commenced at Jai Prakash Narayan Sarvodaya Schools, which were established to provide a brighter future for meritorious students from underprivileged, rural, and backwards communities across UP. An atmosphere of enthusiasm and positivity marked the first day at these state-run residential schools.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
‘Vidya Shakti' launched in A.P. govt schools to help slow learners catch up in academics
Teachers hold the power to shape a bright future for the next generation, and they must treat every student as their own and ensure quality education, said Director of School Education V. Vijay Rama Raju. Speaking after inaugurating Vidya Shakti, a five-day training programme for teachers from the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), Andhra Pradesh Residential Schools and Andhra Pradesh Model Schools, proposed to be implemented in a phased manner, on Wednesday (June 25, 2025), Mr. Rama Raju explained that Vidya Shakti was an online remedial teaching initiative launched for students lagging behind academically in government schools and colleges across Andhra Pradesh. He said as part of the initiative, technology and innovative teaching methods would be used to offer additional coaching in Mathematics, Science, and English to students after school hours. 'Currently, the program is being implemented in 4,424 Zilla Parishad, Government, and Municipal schools, along with 576 KGBVs, A.P. Residential Schools and A.P. Model Schools across the State,' he informed, emphasising that the main objectives of 'Vidya Shakti' included improving learning outcomes, reducing dropout rates and increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in educational institutions across the state. From this academic year, he said subject-wise time slots would be scheduled and every student was expected to follow a fixed timetable. He also said it was important to identify bright students and provide them with additional support to help them excel in the Class 10 Board examinations. The event was attended by Secretary, A.P. Residential Educational Institutions Society (APREIS) V.N. Mastanayya, Director of Government Examinations and Additional Director, IT wing, K.V. Srinivasulu Reddy, Director of the AP State Council of Educational Research and Technology (SCERT) M.V. Krishna Reddy and representatives from IIT-Madras Pravartak.
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Kasturba Schools getting a boost under the new coalition govt
Ramagiri: The Raptadu MLA Paritala Sunitha stated that Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) are witnessing a new phase of development under the newly formed coalition government. On her visit to the Kasturba school in Ramagiri Mandal, the MLA inspected potential sites for the construction of additional school buildings, accompanied by officials and local leaders. She emphasized that the new buildings should be student-friendly and discussed the structural plans with the concerned authorities. Paritala Sunitha instructed officials to ensure immediate commencement of construction work, as the government has already sanctioned the required funds. Earlier, the MLA thoroughly reviewed the existing facilities in the school, including the dining and storage areas. She provided suggestions to the staff for improving certain areas. Speaking with the girl students, she encouraged them to stay focused on their education and to be cautious in all aspects of life. She particularly advised them to avoid excessive use of mobile phones and to stay alert when approached by strangers or individuals making deceptive promises. She urged students to report any suspicious incidents to their teachers. She also stressed the importance of sports in schools and suggested that teachers promote physical and mental well-being alongside academics. She further informed that additional building funds of ₹1.25 crore each have been sanctioned for Kasturba schools in Atmakur, Kurugunta, Kanaganapalli, Ramagiri, and Chennekothapalli. Construction work on these projects will begin soon, she said. Highlighting the government's commitment to education, she said, 'This is a government that does not hesitate to spend on the education of the poor.' Despite financial constraints, she noted, the government has allocated thousands of crores for initiatives like the Thalliki Vandhanam scheme. She added that even remote rural areas are now seeing significant progress in educational infrastructure.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Hyderabad strikes a pose in unison: Over 5,500 students, sportspersons, and citizens join International Yoga Day celebration at Gachibowli Stadium
Over 5,000 Hyderabadis, from schoolchildren to senior citizens, roll out their mats to ring in international day of yoga by celebrating wellness and unity through breath & movement. Over 5,500 people came together at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Gachibowli to mark the International Day of Yoga in a grand celebration on Friday. The event saw participation from children, medical students, sportspersons, and denizens of different age groups and sections of society. Among the participants were about 500 students from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) in Maheshwaram, Palamakula, Kismatpur, and Kandkur. Around 50 sportspersons from the Gachibowli sports centre also joined in. A photo exhibition featuring various yoga postures was set up at the venue around 6 am before the main proceedings began. Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's address from Visakhapatnam was streamed live on LED screens installed in the stadium, drawing the attention of the attendees. Dr K Bhuvneshwari and Dr M Srujana, both studying Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences at Nature Cure Hospital, Begumpet, said, 'We practise yoga daily. It makes your day bright. We've been part of this event for years, and the number of participants keeps rising. Earlier, we were unaware of yoga's benefits, but through our course, we realised naturopathy and yoga are very effective.' Health minister Damodar Rajanarasimha attended the event. 'Yoga is not just an exercise; it is a wonderful tool that unites body, mind and soul. With today's hectic lifestyles, problems like diabetes, cancer, and kidney issues are rising. Yoga is the best solution. Everyone should make it a part of their life,' he said.
