The Hidden Gender Gap in India's Education Expenditure
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Social Development, Education, Human Resources, Social Sector Initiatives, Women's Issues; Important Reports (NSS).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Society): Role of women and women's organization; Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India; Social empowerment.
General Studies Paper 2 (Social Justice & Governance): Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population (Women and Children).
Essay: Topics on Gender Equality, Education, and Social Bias.
Key Highlights from the News
In India, despite achieving gender equality in school enrollment, the latest National Sample Survey (NSS) report reveals a strong continuing trend of families prioritizing boys in household expenditure on education.
At all levels of education, both rural and urban, families spend more money on boys' education than on girls'.
Statistics show a tendency for more girls to be enrolled in less expensive government schools, while more boys are enrolled in costlier private schools.
This discrimination is also evident in private coaching. At the higher secondary level, families spend 22% more on boys' tuition fees than on girls'.
The gender gap is very wide in states like Delhi, Rajasthan, and Punjab. However, this gap is relatively smaller in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In some northeastern states, more money is even spent on girls.
These findings reflect the prevailing son-meta preference social attitude in the country.
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