Education news
UNESCO Report: Only 59 Girls per 100 Boys Complete Higher Secondary in Rural India
· Source: Amar Ujala
According to UNESCO's Gender Equity in Access to Education report, only 59 girls complete higher secondary education for every 100 boys in rural India, whereas urban areas have achieved parity. Overall, India has reduced more than two-thirds of its past gender gap and made fast progress in education completion.
UNESCO Findings on Gender Parity in Education
UNESCO has released data from its Gender Equity in Access to Education report, which is part of the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report. In rural India, only 59 girls complete higher secondary education for every 100 boys. In contrast, boys and girls have reached parity in urban India.
| Area | Gender Parity Index for Higher Secondary Completion |
|---|---|
| Overall India | 0.89 |
| Rural Areas | 0.59 |
| Urban Areas | 1.0 |
India's Progress Since 2000
The report places India among countries that are making rapid improvements in education. India has reduced more than two-thirds of the previous gender gap between boys and girls. In the year 2000, India was among 47 countries where girls lagged far behind boys in completing higher secondary education. The country has made fast progress in both timely and late completion of education, though the gap persists in rural areas.
Global and Regional Completion Rates
In 2024, completion rates for higher secondary education showed varying trends across the world and in Central and Southern Asia.
| Region | Girls Completion Rate | Boys Completion Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Global (Worldwide) | 63% | 60% |
| Central and Southern Asia (including India) | 57% | 60% |
Impact of Mid-Day Meals and School Toilets
The report highlights the impact of welfare initiatives in India:
- Free mid-day meals in poor rural areas increased girls' primary school enrollment, with the impact being nearly double compared to boys.
- Regular meals helped reduce the dropout rate, especially for girls.
- The national initiative to build toilets increased the enrollment of adolescent girls in schools, particularly in schools where separate toilets were constructed for girls.
- UNESCO highlighted that toilets must be clean, safe, and ensure privacy to help girls continue their studies.
Study in Karnataka Villages
The report cites a study conducted across 121 villages in Karnataka where local groups were formed for girls to learn life skills and build social connections. The study showed a slight increase in the number of girls completing secondary education. However, the risk of early marriage remained a challenge for many girls despite these groups.
Questions
How many girls complete higher secondary education in rural India?
According to the UNESCO report, only 59 girls complete higher secondary education for every 100 boys in rural India.
What is the gender parity index for higher secondary completion in India?
The overall gender parity index for higher secondary completion in India is 0.89, with rural areas at 0.59 and urban areas at 1.0.
How did mid-day meals help girls in rural schools?
Free mid-day meals in poor rural areas boosted girls' primary enrollment nearly twice as much as boys' and helped lower girls' school dropout rates.
What were the findings of the Karnataka village study mentioned in the report?
In 121 villages of Karnataka, local life-skills groups for girls led to a slight increase in secondary school completion, though the risk of early marriage persisted.
Written in English by Disha Stars from the Amar Ujala report (read the original in Hindi). Check dates and links on the official website before you act.
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