Unlocking the Potential: Girls’ Education in Gujarat

Gujarat is well known for its literacy rate and the intellectual awakening the colloquial has in educating girls. Girls’ education in Gujarat is given due importance not just by the people but also by the government making significant efforts by drafting initiatives to promote girl child education in schools. The quality of education in Gujarat has developed in the past years and continuously evolves with time. Various teacher training programmes, paired with technology and infrastructural development, are working towards improving the educational outcome in the state. Let us learn more about the importance of girl child education in Gujarat.

Evolution of education for girls

Since ancient times, formal education has significantly remained reserved for boys, while girls were deprived of their education rights and confined to household chores. Girls were allowed primary education within the boundaries of their homes, which was essentially of domestic essence. When the Britishers colonised India, a wave of education arose in the country, which ended up in reserving the right to education for girls. Schools, colleges, and universities opened their gates to offer formal education to girls and parents in urban and rural India were encouraged to send their daughters to schools.

Therefore, the evolution of education for girls over the decades has been a significant social and educational transformation throughout the history of India. Although not everywhere, the plight of girls has improved, and they are given equal opportunities to study and grow as boys. In recent decades, various girls boarding schools have been opened in India to educate women, utilise their talents and transform them into world leaders.

What are the benefits of girls’ education in India?

The education system, government and parents realise the importance of educating girls in India. There are various government policies to promote girls’ education and social awareness programmes to instruct parents about the advantages of girls’ education. 

1. Intellectual development– Education is essential in exercising, building and developing the mental facilities of every child. Educated girls are learned, opinionated, and have logical reasoning. Generic notions do not subdue them and instead critically think based on facts and experiences.

2. Empowerment– Educated girls are empowered as they know about their rights and understand if they are treated unequally or subjugated. Education is an essential tool that provides girls with knowledge, skills, and self-confidence. Educated girls are more likely to make informed decisions regarding career choices, marriage, and future planning.

3. Contributing to economic growth– When girls are given the right to education, society and the nation prosper. Educated women are career-oriented and more likely to join jobs in various fields. This way, they contribute to the economic growth of their family and the nation at large.

4. Reducing poverty– In recent years, women are coming forward and becoming the breadwinners of the family. Girl-child education is an essential tool that can break the cycle of poverty. Being maternally driven, earning women are most likely to invest more in their child’s healthcare and education.

5. Health awareness– Educated girls are more aware of their bodies and well-instructed about the reproductive life cycle of women. Their concern about physical health also extends to their family members. Learned girls are likelier to practise and profess healthy behaviour to their family and society. It helps in significantly minimising diseases and preventing abortions or unwanted pregnancies.

6. Gender equality– Girls’ education is essential in instructing girls about the gender stereotypes, notions and gender roles in society. Education promotes gender equality by challenging traditional gender roles and curbing them with women’s employment. 

What is the quality of education in Gujarat?

Gujarat ranks 9th in the education development index (EDI) and is highly esteemed for the quality of education imparted to students in Gujarat. Although the education quality may vary from one school to another, the overall quality of education ranks high. Let us have an overview of factors that contribute to improving the quality of education in Gujarat:

1. Government Initiatives– Gujarat is an awakened state where emphasis is laid on girls’ education. To encourage education, the state has implemented various government initiatives to improve the quality of education. These initiatives are focused on promoting education through infrastructural development and teacher training programmes to escalate students’ learning outcomes.

2. Infrastructural development– Gujarat has made significant investments to improve the physical infrastructure of schools in recent years. Improvements can be seen in various Gujarat schools regarding classroom facilities, libraries, and sanitation.

3. Teacher Training– An essential part of improving the quality of education in schools is to train its teachers and educate them about new trends in teaching and adapting technological-friendly teaching methodology. Gujarat has been actively working to train teachers with various training and development programs to enhance the state’s education quality. These programs are aimed at self-assessment of the skills and qualifications of teachers, thereby helping in improving and learning better methodologies.

4. Technologically equipped education– With various states progressing towards technology-friendly learning, Gujarat has also adopted the concept of smart classes and other technologies to promote digital education and e-learning. The state is introducing initiatives such as “Gyankunj” to integrate technology into the classroom, making learning more interactive and engaging.

5. Tracking educational outcomes– With various changes in the education system of Gujarat, the state has seen considerable improvements in educational outcomes. These results include an increased literacy rate and reduced dropout rates from schools. The state is consistently working on learning challenges and improving learning outcomes and the overall education quality in government schools.

What is the importance of girls’ education in Gujarat?

Gujarati people are socially awakened and encourage girl child education from the early years for a well-structured and developed learning foundation. The role of girls’ education in Gujarat is-

1. Restoring culture and tradition– Through decades, girls have played a vital role in preserving the tradition and culture of their families. Gujarati traditions and culture are of great essence to the colloquials. By educating girls, parents ensure their daughters are well-informed about Gujarat’s history, heritage and rich culture. It is beneficial in carrying forward the traditions of Gujarat from one generation to another.

2. Fostering healthy habits– Gujarat has a well-developed health sector, but it won’t be helpful if people are unaware of their physical well-being. Since women are more awake when it comes to maintaining their health and that of their family, holistic education and proper information about healthcare is essential. In family planning, girls must be educated about menstruation and other reproductive health behaviours that must be followed for a sound lifestyle.

3. Breaking gender stereotypes– Girls across the country in various states are subjugated by gender stereotypes that expect them to limit their future to taking household responsibilities. Girls of Gujarat must go to schools and complete their education to empower themselves and work towards obtaining futuristic career growth. Only when girls in one state are educated can they encourage those around them to seek higher learning.

4. Boosting businesses– Gujarat is a well-known hub for entrepreneurs and business people driving the state’s economy. Educated girls in Gujarat also contribute significantly towards raising the economic condition of Gujarat. When both genders work equally in cooperation, it benefits the family and the nation.

How does SKV promote education for Gujarati students?

Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya is an all-girls boarding school in Gwalior that promotes quality education for the holistic development of girls. We are affiliated with the CBSE board and offer admissions to girls from class VI onwards. As one of India’s top boarding schools, we promote cultural diversity and encourage students to learn and respect various cultures and their traditions. Our school promotes Gujarati traditions and customs through various cultural awareness programmes every year and encourages students to participate in cultural fests by celebrating the various festivals of Gujarat. We acknowledge the importance of Gujarati heritage and history and actively instruct our students through activities such as Gujarati folk dances, guest lectures, debates and speeches.