Opportunities and Challenges for Girl Child Schooling and Education in India

Education is a lifelong process of learning things; it always focuses on the learners. Education plays a significant role in the life and development of mankind. Education creates knowledge, awareness and understanding among the human beings for the betterment of society. As a human right, in the 21st century education directs an individual to creativity. The Indian education system is the biggest system in the world where primary, middle, secondary, higher secondary and college plays a very important role in sharpening the personality of individuals. But, there are many hurdles in the way of education system of our country that large numbers of school going children are continuously leaving the school system before completing the secondary education. India is a country where female population is 48.04% compared to that of males which is 51.96%. India has 54,197,555 more male’s population than female’s population. India is at 189th position out of 201 countries in terms of female to male ratio. Among Asian countries, India is at 43th position out of 51. As per Census 2011, Gender ratio of India is 943 females per 1000 males. Gender differences can be seen everywhere in the education system of the country where male dominating society exists. So, the educationist should be aware to the specific needs of the girls. Even after the formation of so many committees and commissions, Government aided initiatives and schemes the enrolment rates of girls are still declining day by day. Those who are enrolled in the schools they are not prepared adequately due to the lack of sufficient facilities. Besides the current culture, shared norms, values, standards, expectations and priorities of teaching and learning in the society is not powerful enough to support true higher learning. This paper is an attempt to discuss the opportunities and challenges of girl’s education in the country.