Girl Child Education

The Indian government has expressed a strong commitment towards education for all; however, India still has one of the lowest female literacy rates in Asia. In 1991, less than 40 percent of the 330 million women aged 7 and over were literate, which means today there are over 200 million illiterate women in India.

This low level of literacy not only has a negative impact on women’s lives but also on their families’ lives and on their country’s economic development. Numerous studies show that illiterate women have generally high levels of maternal mortality, poor nutritional status, low earning potential, and little autonomy within the household. A woman’s lack of education also has a negative impact on the health and well being of her children. For instance, a recent survey in India found that infant mortality was inversely related to mother’s educational level. Additionally, the lack of an educated population can be an impediment to the country’s economic development.

Education of girls and women in general has been a high priority with the Government of India . In the new millennium, India has consolidated its earlier educational reforms with increased resources and stronger policy commitments for achieving elementary education for all children, particularly girls.

Girls Education at Elementary Level

Revised guidelines for Implementation of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)

National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL)-Brief

Revised guidelines for implementation of National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL)

Progress made in NPEGEL as on 31.12.07

Source : Sarva Siksha Abhiyan