Only 59 girls per 100 boys complete Class 12 in rural India, says UNESCO report

The gender gap in India's school education has narrowed considerably over the past 25 years. But a new UNESCO report says that completing Class 12 remains a major challenge for girls in villages.

According to the report's figures, for every 100 boys who complete higher secondary education, that is Classes 11 and 12, in rural India there are only 59 girls. The picture in cities is different. There, boys and girls have reached near parity in completing their schooling.

The report studies gender inequality in 31 low and middle-income countries. It says India has, over a long period, largely overcome the early shortfalls in girls' education. Even so, the benefits of this progress have not reached all sections equally. Girls from economically backward families still face difficulties in continuing their studies.

The report records India's adjusted Gender Parity Index (GPI) at 0.89 overall. The figure for rural areas is 0.59, while in urban areas it is 1.0. This means the number of girls who stay on until Class 12 in villages remains low.

The pattern of rural girls leaving school after reaching adolescence is a particular concern. According to the ASER 2024 report, 8.1 per cent of girls aged 15 to 16 were not enrolled in school at all. In addition, poverty and the economic condition of the household appear to widen the gap between the education of boys and girls.

The report also points to an important finding on early schooling. In India, 51 per cent of children aged 5 are being admitted directly to Class 1. Under the National Education Policy 2020, this age is considered too young.

The report says the situation at the pre-primary level is better in some states. Even so, overall, further efforts at the policy level are needed to promote girls' education in rural areas and help them complete higher secondary education.