Introduction

Education is a cornerstone of societal development, and addressing gender-related issues within it is crucial for progress
While ASER 2023 data on learning outcomes may suggest gender equity, a closer look reveals persistent gender discrimination.

Gender Equity: Learning Outcomes Parity

Gender Equity in Learning: Analysis of learning outcomes, such as test scores, shows parity between boys and girls in elementary and secondary classes across India.
Example: In Classes 3 and 5, girls and boys score equally in mathematics, both at 63 and 53, respectively.
Subject Scores: Gender differences in subject scores rarely exceed one percentage point.

Increased Education: Girls in India are receiving more education than ever before, with the mean years of schooling nearly tripling from 1.7 years in 1990 to 4.7 years in 2018.
Boys’ Progress: Boys have also seen educational improvements, with the average attainment increasing from 4.1 to 8.2 years.
Growing Gender Gap: Despite girls making significant strides in education, the gender gap, measured as the difference in attainment between males and females, has grown over time, from 2.4 years to 3.5 years.
Global Trends: India’s divergence from global trends is notable, as many countries have seen equal improvements in education for both genders.

Progressive Gender Gap: As education levels rise, barriers for girls become more significant, influenced by social norms, stereotypes, and adolescent-related factors.
Class 1 to Class 8: Dropout rates shift dramatically, with nearly twice as many girls dropping out by Class 8 compared to boys.

Gender Bias in ECE: Gender discrimination begins at the earliest stages of education, as revealed by the Annual Status of Education Report “Early Years.”
Private vs. Government Schools: More boys are enrolled in private institutions, while girls are often sent to free government schools, reflecting societal biases.
Age Correlation: A five percentage point gender difference in enrollment exists at the age of four, growing to eight percentage points by age eight.
Impact of Gender Norms: Societies valuing male children’s education tend to withdraw more girls from school.

Policy Shift Needed: Addressing the gender gap in education requires a shift towards Early Childhood Education (ECE) to tackle the roots of gender norms.
Age of Influence: Children between three and seven are highly impressionable, forming biases about gender roles during this period.
Challenges: Insufficient funding, poor quality, and the absence of legislation for universal ECE access pose challenges in India.
Investment Returns: Longitudinal studies indicate that every dollar invested in ECE yields substantial returns, proving its cost-effectiveness.
Government Initiatives: Programs like “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and the Draft National Education Policy emphasize the importance of ECE.

The gender gap in education, particularly in the early years, requires immediate attention and intervention. Establishing a regulatory framework, adequate funding, and quality standards for ECE is essential.
By eliminating gender stereotypes in preschools, we can work towards erasing the gender gap in education.
The benefits of investing in girls’ education are vast, ranging from reduced poverty and crime to improved economic development.
It is time to prioritize early childhood education to create a brighter and more equal future for all.