Educating girls helps foster a more prosperous, equitable, and empowered India
This essay is part of the series “Reimaging Education | International Day of Education 2024”.
Girl-child education in India has undergone a transformative journey marked by persistent challenges and progressive strides. Historically hindered by socio-cultural norms and gender disparities, the narrative has gradually shifted towards empowerment, facilitated by dedicated efforts from various stakeholders. Government initiatives, non-governmental organisations, and grassroots movements have played pivotal roles in breaking down barriers and providing educational opportunities for millions of girls.
The significance of girl-child education extends beyond individual development, serving as a catalyst for broader societal and economic changes. Education is recognised not only as a means to impart knowledge and skills but also as a powerful force for challenging stereotypes, promoting gender equality, and reshaping societal attitudes. As policy changes and community engagement initiatives gain momentum, the landscape is witnessing a positive transformation.
Education is recognised not only as a means to impart knowledge and skills but also as a powerful force for challenging stereotypes, promoting gender equality, and reshaping societal attitudes.
From grassroots efforts empowering local communities to national campaigns aimed at bridging gender gaps, the evolving narrative reflects a commitment to inclusivity, enlightenment, and empowerment. The resilience of girls pursuing education in the face of adversity highlights the profound impact of education on individual lives and the collective progress of the nation.
Recognising the pivotal role education plays in shaping the destiny of individuals and communities, the Indian government has instituted various financial incentive schemes tailored to encourage the enrolment, retention, and successful completion of education by the girl child. Table 1 enlists the various central and state financial incentive schemes for uplifting and empowering girl children in the education sector. Against the backdrop of socio-cultural nuances and economic realities, the financial incentive schemes emerge as catalysts for transformative change. These financial incentives are not just monetary transactions but strategic investments in the nation's future.
Table 1: Financial Incentive Schemes in India
| Scheme | Year | Objective | Concerned Ministry/s |
| Central Schemes | |||
| Balika Samridhi Yojana | 1997 | A major initiative for supporting the education and birth of the girl child | Ministry of Women & Child Development |
| CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme For Single Girl Child | 2006 | The scheme is aimed at recognising the efforts of the parents in promoting education among girls and providing encouragement to meritorious students | Central Board of Secondary Education |
| National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education | 2008 | The objective of the scheme is to establish an enabling environment to promote enrolment and reduce drop-out rate amongst girls from SC/ST communities in higher classes | Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development |
| Dhanalakshmi Scheme | 2008 | The scheme aimed at doing away with child marriage by offering parents attractive insurance cover, and encouraging parents to educate their children as well as covering certain medical expenses for girl babies | Ministry of Women & Child Development |
| Sukanya Samridhi Yojana | 2015 | The scheme is meant to meet the education and marriage expenses of a girl child | Ministry of Finance |
| National Scholarship for higher education for ST students | 2016 | Support to pursue higher education, preference to Girls, Disabled, and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
| State Schemes | |||
| Girl Child Protection Scheme | 2005 | Promote enrollment and retention of the girl child in school and to ensure her education at least up to intermediate level | Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana/ Women Development Child Welfare & Disabled Welfare Department |
| Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme | 2006 | Welfare scheme for Providing education to the females of the state up to standard 10 | Karnataka State Government |
| Ladli Laxmi Yojana | 2007 | The scheme focuses on creating a positive attitude towards the birth, health and ed | Government of Madhya Pradesh |
| Delhi Ladli Scheme | 2008 | To promote education among girls and reduce the school drop-out rate of female students | Department of Women & Children Development, Government of the National Capital Territory |
| Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana | 2009 | The main objective of the scheme is to improve the health and educational status of the girls, to provide them better future, to prevent female feticide, and behavior change towards childbirth and child marriage | Women & Child Welfare Department, Uttarakhand |
| Beti Hai Anmol | 2010 | The motive is to make girls self-reliant for necessary financial assistance and education | Government of Himachal Pradesh |
| Kanyashree Prakalpa | 2013 | Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Scheme that incentivizes the schooling of all teenage girls between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, simultaneously dis-incentivizing child marriage | Government of West Bengal |
| Bangaru Talli Scheme | 2013-14 | The scheme supports the family of a girl from her birth till her graduation | Government of Andhra Pradesh |
| Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana | 2016 | The primary objective of providing educational opportunities for the overall well-being of female children within the state | Department of Women & Child Development, Rajasthan |
| Mazi Kanya Bhagyashree Scheme | 2016 | This scheme provides the following monetary benefits to the mother of a girl child for education | Department of Women & Child Development, Maharashtra |
As a result of cash incentive programmes, many parents consider their daughters to be “less burdensome” and are more likely to postpone marriage and keep their daughters in school. A desk review of cash incentive schemes for girls in India shows a positive attitude of parents of beneficiaries towards marriage and education as compared to non-beneficiary parents. Economic incentives for girls appeared to have accelerated positive change at both the family and community levels.
The relationship between girl-child education and socio-economic development stands as a cornerstone in India's pursuit of progress and equality. A substantial body of evidence unequivocally demonstrates the positive correlation between girl-child education and economic growth in India. Educated girls form a dynamic and skilled workforce, contributing significantly to productivity and innovation. Studies consistently show that increasing female labour force participation is associated with higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and improved economic outcomes for the nation.
A substantial body of evidence unequivocally demonstrates the positive correlation between girl-child education and economic growth in India.
The nexus between education and entrepreneurship further underscores the economic benefits. Further empowering girls through education is a potent catalyst for dismantling ingrained gender disparities. The evidence highlights the transformative impact of education in fostering gender equality, as educated girls challenge traditional roles and stereotypes. Beyond empowerment, educated women are more likely to participate in decision-making processes at both the household and community levels, contributing to a more equitable distribution of power.
The evidence illuminates the critical role of girl-child education in breaking the shackles of poverty. This economic upliftment has a cascading effect, positively influencing the overall economic well-being of communities. Furthermore, educated mothers make informed decisions regarding healthcare, leading to better health outcomes and reduced healthcare expenses for families. They also are key determinants in improving maternal and child health outcomes, as they are more likely to adopt healthier practices, resulting in reduced maternal and child mortality rates. This link between education and health underscores the interconnectedness of various facets of development.
The evidence highlights the transformative impact of education in fostering gender equality, as educated girls challenge traditional roles and stereotypes.
An intriguing aspect of the evidence lies in the connection between girl-child education and population control. Educated girls tend to marry later and delay childbirth, contributing to efforts aimed at demographic stabilisation. This demographic transition has far-reaching implications for sustainable development and resource management. Education acts as an impetus for cultural shifts, challenging discriminatory practices, and fostering a more inclusive and tolerant society. Investing in the education of girls emerges not only as an ethical right but as an indispensable strategy for fostering a more prosperous, equitable, and empowered nation.
Shoba Suri is a Senior Fellow with the Observer Research Foundation
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Dr. Shoba Suri is a Senior Fellow with ORFs Health Initiative. Shoba is a nutritionist with experience in community and clinical research. She has worked on nutrition, ...
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