78% of Rural Parents Aim to Educate Girls to Graduation & Beyond

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 9 August 2023

A report by the Development Intelligence Unit has illuminated a heartening trend in rural India's education landscape. The study, titled 'State of Elementary Education in Rural India 2023', demonstrates an overwhelming aspiration among parents to ensure equal educational opportunities for their children, regardless of gender.

The report, unveiled by Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at TRI's India Rural Colloquy, reveals that an impressive 78% of parents in rural areas desire to provide both boys and girls with education up to graduation and beyond. This ambition encompasses a range of age groups, spanning 6 to 16-year-olds across 20 states in India.

Minister Pradhan, an advocate for data-driven decision-making, underscored the report's significance in guiding future policies. He discussed crucial aspects such as skill-based learning, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's impact, and the need for increased women's involvement in development efforts.

One of the report's key findings is the absence of disparity in parental aspirations for their children's education. This outcome resonates with the ongoing efforts to foster inclusive education practices in the country. The report's insights suggest that the gender of the child does not hinder parents' aspirations for quality education.

The essences of this finding are far-reaching. The commitment of rural parents to provide equal educational opportunities regardless of gender bodes well for the future of education in India. The report's data-driven evidence adds momentum to the push for inclusive and holistic educational practices.

The study surveyed a significant 6,229 parents, with 6,135 having school-going children. It was presented during the India Rural Colloquy 2023, a noteworthy event bringing together over 100 thought leaders from various domains to deliberate on actionable solutions for rural development challenges.

The colloquy provides a unique platform to integrate voices from diverse sectors, ensuring a comprehensive and collaborative approach to addressing rural issues. In light of this promising report, India's path toward inclusive education receives a powerful boost, promising a brighter future for the nation's children.