Govt-Unicef drafts national vision for girls' education

Updated on: Saturday, December 10, 2011

Against the backdrop of only 81% girls joining school at primary level of which 50% dropping out at secondary level, the United Nations Children's Fund ( UNICEF) and Ministry For Human Resource Development ( MHRD) has drafted a "national vision for girls' education in India - roadmap to 2015".

The vision document envisages a 12-month community mobilisation campaign on right to education, increased and improved investment for girls' education, strengthening of system for effective service delivery and child friendly schools, convergence and partnership for overall well being of girls in areas of education, health, nutrition, hygiene and protection.

The draft has been placed for deliberation at the ongoing two-day national Convention which started on Thursday in the City.?

?Setting the agenda for the convention, UNICEF's India representative, Karin Hulshof said that education of girls should be seen as an investment for a bright future for India and not as a liability. Stressing on the need for participation of girls in education on an equal footing she said that though India has managed to achieve 100% enrolment for boys in class I, the number reels at 81% for girls at primary education level.

"And 50% of the girls in primary education level drop out at secondary level. We are here to focus on a roadmap 2015 where girls will participate on equal footing," said Hulshof.?

?The vision document was prepared after detailed regional consultations in Bhopal, Kolkata and Bengaluru during 2009-10 to capture the challenges and emerging trends of girls' education across states. The consultations took note of the achievements and persisting gaps, literacy rates attendance, transition, availability of basic amenities like girls' toilets and female teachers, among others.?

?Giving perspective and stressing on need to evolve the discourse on gender equality in education, vice chancellor of National University of Educational Planning and Administration, professor R Govinda said: "RTE has made education a fundamental right. Policy wise we are doing fairly well. But the question is are we happy with the present status of girls' education even after prioritising it for last 25 years. Since the 80s we have seen tremendous change and even the poorest of the poor now wants to educate their child. So we have to address the issue on three dimensions - to get all the girls to school, examine what happens inside school and also engage with the community and parents outside the school."?

?The convention will deliberate on critical issues like educational priorities of Muslim girls, scheduled castes, protective and learning environment, among others. The meeting will come up with the final framework for the vision document with summaries of recommendations and action points on Friday.

Times of India

Govt-Unicef drafts national vision for girls' education

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