NEP- 2020 for progressive growth of women education in India

(sumantarajbanshi@gmail.com)

Education is instrumental in bolstering the spirit of women to carry out their continual fight against exploitation and withstand social evils. The phrase 'women empowerment', which has passed into the current coin of social discourse very rapidly and extensively, is virtually meaningless without education. The Indian nation is exasperated utterly to witness the appalling state of women education even after 75 years of Independence. As per the 2011 census India's country-wide female literacy rate is 65.46%, while the male literacy rate is estimated at 82.14%. India's average literacy rate stands at 74.04%. There is a gender gap of around 17% between male and female literacy rates. This gender split is higher in rural areas. The rural female literacy rate is only 57%, while the rural male literacy rate is higher at 77%. However, according to the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report 2018-19, the gender gap in the country narrowed as compared to the previous years after several new policy interventions by the government. The female students constituted almost half (approximately 48.6%) of the total enrolment in higher education. According to International Labour Organization data, the female labour participation rate in 2017 was 27%, which was a 7% decrease from 34% in 2001. There are more than 50 million women in India, neither going for study nor work. Monster Salary Survey, 2016, shows that women in India earn 25% less than global women. A large number of women attaining education at different institutes and successfully rendering service in different fields is a pleasurable sight. But the statistics furnished above reveal it quite clearly that the government has to address the issue of women education more vigorously than ever before. For engaging women at all levels of public life and utilizing their talent for the nation and to protect them from all forms of injustice, the nation must first and foremost ensure hundred per cent quality education for women.

Social discrimination, gender inequality, occupation of girl child in domestic chores, economic exploitation, and early-age marriage are some of the factors which have greatly affected women education in India. Other reasons that are commonly mentioned for girls' drop-out rates in the primary and middle school level are: lack of motivation, engagement in the family business or farm, engagement in household work. Apart from the above reasons, non-availability of educational centres in close proximity, unsafe means of travel, and lack of proper toilets are additional reasons for girls' drop-outs. In low income families the presence of younger siblings affects a girl's education negatively, in terms of gross attendance, time spent on learning activities, learning performance, etc.

For addressing the issue we need a comprehensive, well-concerted and very pragmatic approach nationwide. Against such a backdrop the National Education Policy-2020 (NEP 2020) was approved by the Union Cabinet of India on 29 July 2020, which outlines the vision of new education system of India. The National Education Policy -2020 has been designed by the K Kasturirangan Committee to deal with various issues aggravating educational scenario across India and to curb the menace of women illiteracy. The policy envisions equitable and inclusive education for all, with special focus on children and youth, especially girls, from socially and economically disadvantaged groups. The policy, which has come to the fore recently, is expected to usher in a new era in women education. The policy is a comprehensive framework for elementary education to higher education as well as vocational training in both rural and urban India. It is pointed out that the policy does not pronounce much on the gender issues, yet certain proposals made in the policy may be expected to bring about remarkable changes into the bleak scenario.

NEP 2020 provides for setting up a Gender Inclusion Fund (GIF) to build the nation's capacity to provide equitable quality education for all girls as well as transgender students. The NEP states that the "Gender Inclusion Fund" will be available to states to implement priorities determined by the Central government critical for assisting female and transgender children in gaining access to education (such as the provisions of sanitation and toilets, bicycles, conditional cash transfers, etc.,). The policy further says, "This fund will also enable states to support and scale effective community-based interventions that address local context- specific barriers to female and transgender children's access to and participation in education". The fund will be used to provide quality education to all students and to ensure facilities, secured and hygienic toilets .Besides toilets, hostel facilities for girl students have been recommended by NEP. The fund will focus on ensuring 100% enrollment of girls in schooling and a record participation rate in higher education, decrease gender gaps at all levels, practice gender equity and inclusion in society, and improve the leadership capacity of girls through positive civil dialogues.

The NEP 2020 recognizes that female and transgender individuals across all the groups included in Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) are the worst-affected people. There are plans to implement schemes of giving out bicycles to form cycling groups and creating walking groups to schools to include community participation and make safety nets for these vulnerable students. The policy proposes to locate specific social causes such as gender stereotyping and customs and beliefs that have perpetuated the unequal treatment meted out to girls, including their education.

Another remarkable proposal made in the policy is to enhance the number of women on leading positions of the institution, including principals, teachers, wardens, physical instructors, and other staff. It will help the women in important positions to deal with the issues concerning women and create an ambience based on the principle of equality.

NEP 2020 aims at addressing the issue of gender inequity in recruitment of teachers in rural areas. To decrease the gender imbalance among teachers (especially in some rural areas), alternate pathways for female teacher recruitment will be introduced without compromising on merit and qualification, both educational and professional.

The policy underlines the necessity for teachers and facilitators like Anganwadi workers to undergo proper training to counsel the families of girl students. Offering of proper counseling to the families is felt to be imperative for facilitating equal opportunities and space for girls in education as often education of boys is seen to be prioritized over that of girls in our society and as there is no dearth of lame excuses for not sending girls to schools.

The NEP 2020 will focus on the safety and security of school-going girls both inside and outside the campus. The schools have to ensure an environment without harassment, discrimination, and domination against women to go for regular accreditation by the statutory bodies. The policy will identify social mores and gender stereotypes preventing girls from accessing education and causing regular dropouts. The teachers, Anganwadi workers, and local social entrepreneurs will be trained to deliver proper counseling to girl children's families. All educational institutions will be mandated to conduct awareness programmes on gender issues to break stereotyped gender roles, on the importance of harassment-free environments and equal treatment of genders, and on legal protections and entitlements for girls and women including the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO), the Maternity Benefit Act, and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act. This training will aim to raise teachers' and educational administrators' awareness of gender-sensitive and inclusive classroom management.

The NEP 2020 is expected to introduce changes towards removal of the gender gap in male and female literacy rates. For achieving this aim, proper awareness needs to be created among the teachers, parents and the community. No change will come until and unless the society is made aware of the evils of depriving girls from attainment of education. In spite of the constitutional provisions the girls still remain vulnerable to atrocious forces. The girl students must be made aware of their legal rights and legal literacy should be mandatorily incorporated to the curriculum. Only a gender-responsive educational curriculum will reverse gender bias and discrimination within the educational system and society. A curriculum that is properly equipped with progressive ideas and contents will help a lot in removing the mores and gender stereo types from the society. The component of sex education, with instruction on menstrual health and hygiene needs to be carefully incorporated to the curriculum. The skill enhancement courses fore-grounded in the policy must also benefit the girls from all sections of the society to motivate them to educational institutions and make them economically independent.