Question- Describe means and measures taken for equality of educational opportunity in terms of gender.

Ans.

Education of Women

Aims of Women Education : While good progress has been made in the sphere of women education but this progress is not very heartening keeping in view the high number of women in the country. Various Committees and Commissions on education appointed by the government have emphasized the unique need and nature of women education. Evidently, the curriculum for girls should not be the same as that for boys.

The Government Efforts
(1) General Structure : In India the Central Government has been constitutionally made responsible for women education. But since women education is considered as a part of general education, it is regarded as the responsibility of the State. It is the State Government that does everything for expansion of women education. The administration of women education is just like that of education for boys. There are regional inspectresses of schools and other government officers for the inspection and supervision of girls’ schools. The Director of Education is the chief of women education as he is for boys’ education. In 1959 a National Council for Women Education was established for looking after the education of girls. It recommended that the women education should be treated as a separate unit of education and the State Government should establish Advisory Council for Women Education and there should be a Joint Director for women education. It is hoped that the situation will go on improving as time passes.

(2) Higher Education for Women : In view of the great zeal shown by girls for higher education, it is hoped that their number in universities and degree colleges will ever be on increase. Some necessary changes are also being introduced in the curriculum in order to suit their special interests and aptitudes. The girls are also attracted towards various professional courses, such as medical, engineering, teaching and nursing etc.

(3) Secondary Education for Girls : At the secondary stage the growth of women education has been more satisfactory. As the time passed, the old conservative traditions were relaxed and the girls were encouraged to get education which they desire. The curriculum has also been suitably modified at the secondary stage in order to suit their special requirements and tastes.

(4) Primary Education for Girls : Primary education is the base for the development of secondary and higher education. Its development ultimately affects the development of onward stages of education. However, it has been estimated that only 30 per cent of the girls of primary school reach the fifth class i.e. they drop out earlier for one reason or the other. The government has a special responsibility for enforcing compulsory education for girls up to the secondary stage.

Vocational, Special and Adult Education : Today, women are showing an interest for professional education. Hence, government is responsible for providing such sort of education together with education for adults. For this same institutions must be opened offering course of advice. Specially, trained women may also be encouraged to take up assignments in rural areas for some time. This will also promote the development of our villages.

Problems of Women Education : Indian women are as capable as any woman in any part of the world. But Indian women are devided equal opportunities unlike the western counter parts. While framing the courses of study for girls, adequate care should be taken of their unique life responsibilities and domestic demands. Accordingly, the curriculum should be modified. co-education should be permitted. But as for as secondary education is concerned, separate schools are require to be opened as many parents do not like the system of co-education. Women should be specially trained in various professional courses. Similarly, more seats should be provided to women in medical, engineering and other professional courses. This will faciliate the growth of women education in India.

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