Question

Did you note that in spite of the Government’s initiatives and provisions made for the girl child, the statistics shown in the enrolment position of girls in primary and upper primary are not very encouraging. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily, expressing your concern about the issue and the need to work on a war footing to counter the problem of poor enrolment of girls.

Answer 1

24 September, 2020
The Editor,
The Times of India,
New Delhi,
Delhi - 110002

Subject: Poor Enrolment of Girls in Primary and Upper Primary Schools. 

Dear Sir,

Kindly publish the following views of mine on the problem of poor enrolment of girls in primary and upper primary in the appropriate columns of your esteemed daily.

It is sad that we have not yet been able to ensure gender parity in the field of education despite our best efforts. The data available showing the enrolment of girls in primary and Upper primary have not been much encouraging For instance, during the years 1999–2001, not much percentage was seen. In the year 2001–2003, there was a slight increase from 44.2 to 46.8 in the primary and from 41.7 to 43.9 in the upper primary. Then, in the years 2003–2005, there was a slight increase only.

From this, it is clear that the age-old beliefs about the girl child as a burden on parents still grip the minds of the parents. For this dowry, son idolization etc, are more responsible than any other reasons. We need social workers to eradicate such stupid beliefs from the minds of the parents. If we want to bring dynamic changes in the mindset of the people, girls should be educated. Their education holds the key to a large number of problems The education of girls means the education of a whole family. The empowerment of
women through programmes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is needed the most Old centres of power of men stand now invaded by women.

But not much has been done. There is still a need of awakening about what women can do to fight the bias against girls. These are like reservation of women in seats of power. So all government and non-government agencies need to work on a war footing to counter the problem of poor enrolment of girls.

Yours faithfully,
Riya Shah