Profile

GIRLS’ EDUCATION

Background

Education is the main source behind the social and economic development of any nation. In this context, it is evident that both male and female population needs education for the progress of the country. In this aspect educating girls is an important aspect to check female illiteracy. It is important to understand the situation of literacy levels of male and female population in Karnataka in comparison with other States. Below table gives the female literacy levels of various States as per the 2001 Census conducted by Go I.

Table 1: Female Literacy Levels of Different States (In Descending Order):

SL.NO	India / States / Union Territories	Persons	Males	Females
	INDIA	65.38	75.85	54.16
1	Kerala	90.92	94.20	87.86
2	Mizoram	88.49	90.69	86.13
3	Lakshadweep	87.52	93.15	81.56
4	Chandigarh	81.76	85.65	76.65
5	Goa	82.32	88.88	75.51
6	Andaman & Nicobar Islands*	81.18	86.07	75.29
7	Delhi	81.82	87.37	75.00
8	Pondicherry	81.49	88.89	74.13
9	Daman & Diu	81.09	88.40	70.37
10	Himachal Pradesh	77.13	86.02	68.08
11	Maharashtra	77.27	86.27	67.51
12	Tripura	73.66	81.47	65.41
13	Tamil Nadu	73.47	82.33	64.55
14	Punjab	69.95	75.63	63.55
15	Nagaland	67.11	71.77	61.92
16	Sikkim	69.68	76.73	61.46
17	Meghalaya	63.31	66.14	60.41
18	Uttaranchal	72.28	84.01	60.26
19	West Bengal	69.22	77.58	60.22
20	Manipur	68.87	77.87	59.70
21	Gujarat	69.97	80.5	58.60
22	Karnataka	67.04	76.29	57.45
23	Haryana	68.59	79.25	56.31
24	Assam	64.28	71.93	56.03
25	Chhatisgarh	65.18	77.86	52.40
26	Andhra Pradesh	61.11	70.85	51.17
27	Orissa	63.61	75.95	50.97
28	Madhya Pradesh	64.11	76.80	50.28
29	Rajasthan	61.03	76.46	44.34
30	Arunachal Pradesh	54.74	64.07	44.24
31	Dadra & Nagar Haveli	60.03	73.32	42.99
32	Uttar Pradesh	57.36	70.23	42.98
33	Jammu and Kashmir	54.46	65.75	41.82
34	Jharkhand	54.13	67.94	39.38
35	Bihar	47.53	60.32	33.57
		Total (EduSat)		120.00

Source: GoI Census, 2001
It can be seen from the above table that Karnataka’s female literacy rates are marginally above the National average and placed in the 22nd position in the country.

Table 2: Comparative literacy rates of Karnataka and India

Source: GoI Census, 1991 and 2001
As per the above table, it can be seen that the State’s literacy rate has improved from 1991 to 2001. The State’s gender gap in literacy (18.84) and is slightly less than the national gender gap in literacy (21.69).

Table 3: Literacy Rates of Districts of Karnataka State (in descending order)

SL.NO	Name of the District	Male	Female	Total
1	Bangalore	88.36	78.98	83.91
2	D.K	89.74	77.39	83.47
3	Udupi	86.59	74.05	79.87
4	Kodagu	83.80	72.53	78.17
5	Uttara Kannada	84.48	68.48	76.59
6	Shimoga	82.32	67.24	74.86
7	Chickmagalore	80.68	64.47	72.63
8	Dharwad	81.04	62.2	71.87
9	Hassan	78.29	59.32	68.75
10	Haveri	77.94	57.6	68.09
11	Davangere	76.44	58.45	67.67
12	Tumkur	76.88	57.18	67.19
13	Gadag	79.55	52.58	66.27
14	Bangalore Rural	74.43	55.12	65.00
15	Chitradurga	74.69	54.62	64.88
16	Belguam	75.89	52.53	64.42
17	Mysore	71.30	55.81	63.69
18	Kolar	73.14	52.81	63.14
19	Bidar	73.29	50.01	61.98
20	Mandya	70.71	51.62	61.21
21	Bellary	69.59	46.16	58.04
22	Bagalkot	71.31	44.1	57.81
23	Bijapur	68.10	46.19	57.46
24	Koppal	69.15	40.76	55.02
25	Chamrajnagar	59.25	43.02	51.26
26	Gulbarga	62.52	38.4	50.65
27	Raichur	62.02	36.84	49.54
State Average	Total	76.29	57.45	67.04
National Average		75.95	54.16	65.38

Source: GoI Census, 2001

The above table provides the data on the female literacy rates of different districts in descending order. 11 district’s female literacy rates are above the State female literacy rate (57.45) and 15 district’s female literacy rates are above the National female literacy rate (54.16).

In order to boost the commitment to Universalize Elementary Education, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Programme was started. SSA has implemented many programmes and interventions to ensure the equal and universal participation of all children regardless of religion, caste, creed, sex etc. Thus, special attention to certain disadvantaged groups of children would be imperative if the goal of UEE is to be achieved.Girls, who comprise almost one half of the eligible child population, fall into this category of children requiring special attention as their participation in primary education has been far from the desirable.
Special programmes to promote education of girls have been under taken by the State Government and also through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. In the context,SSA has launched the KGBV and NPEGEL Programmes to improve the girl’s education in 62 Educationally Backward blocks of the State. These programmes are being implemented in those blocks where the rural female literacy rate is below the national rural female literacy rate (46.13) and the gender gap is more than national gender gap (21.59) .

Table 4: List of EBBs where NPEGEL and KGBV programmes are being implemented:

SL.NO	District	Block	Rural Female Literacy Rate	Gender gap in Literacy
2	Ramanagara	Channapatna	45.96	21.92
3	Dharwad	Dharwad	45.63	23.53
4	Kolar	Bangarpet	45.6	24.36
5	Kolar	Srinivasapur	45.49	25.43
6	Chikkaballapur	Gouribiddanur	45.38	22.03
8	Hassan	Hole Narsipur	45.14	26.39
9	Mysore	Krishnarajanagar	45.06	22.74
10	Gadag	Rona	44.8	33.03
11	Bidar	Aurad	44.53	24.99
13	Dharwad	Kalghatgi	44.43	29.96
12	Gadag	Mundargi	44.43	29.96
14	Chikkaballapur	Chintamani	43.4	24.19
15	Bellary	Kudligi	43.38	27.24
16	Bidar	Basavakalyan	43.34	27.34
17	Chitradurga	Challakere	43.22	24.14
18	Kolar	Mulebagilu	43.09	25.86
7	Bellary	Hagaribommanahalli	42.16	24.26
19	Davanagere	Harapanahalli	42.16	24.26
21	Bidar	Humnabad	42.01	25.52
20	Belgaum	Rayabag	42.01	23.15
22	Bidar	Bidar	41.64	23.2
23	Tumkur	Pavagada	41.02	25.69
24	Belgaum	Parasagad	39.88	29.18
25	Chikkaballapur	Gudibande	39.51	24.01
26	Bijapur	B Bagewadi	38.94	29.91
27	Koppal	Koppal	38.85	29.55
28	Bijapur	Indi	38.24	26.3
29	Bagalkot	Hungund	37.71	35.76
30	Gulbarga	Aland	37.59	27.52
31	Bagalkot	Bagalkot	37.57	32.9
32	Bagalkot	Jamkhandi	37.49	23.67
33	Bijapur	Bijapur	37.44	25.96
34	Koppal	Yelbarga	36.79	32.31
35	Belgaum	Gokak	36.65	28.07
36	Chitradurga	Molakalmuru	36.32	26.09
37	Bijapur	Muddebihal	36.29	34.44
38	Bagalkot	Mudhol	36.18	25.76
39	Belgaum	Ramadurg	35.99	30.43
40	Gulbarga	Afzalpur	35.79	26.81
41	Gulbarga	Gulbarga	35.51	27.09
42	Koppal	Gangawati	35.47	26.61
43	Bijapur	Sindgi	35.42	29.91
44	Bellary	Sandur	35.09	26.28
45	Chikkaballapur	Bagepalli	35.08	24.54
46	Bagalkot	Bilgi	34.5	28.93
47	Bellary	Hospet	34.31	25.02
48	Raichur	Sindhnur	34.26	28.55
1	Bagalkot	Badami	33.89	32.69
49	Gulbarga	Chincholi	33.21	27.92
50	Koppal	Kushtagi	31.76	34.19
51	Bellary	Bellary	30.97	27.59
52	Raichur	Lingsugur	30.2	31.03
53	Gulbarga	Chitapur	29.3	23.95
54	Raichur	Manvi	28.14	25.03
55	Gulbarga	Jevargi	28.01	28.38
56	Gulbarga	Sedam	27.92	23.3
57	Yadgir	Shorapur	27.06	26.38
58	Bellary	Siruguppa	26.46	27.92
59	Raichur	Raichur	24.79	26.93
60	Raichur	Devadurga	24.35	24.35
61	Yadgir	Shahpur	23.13	22.61
62	Yadgir	Yadgir	18.7	22.9

Source: GoI Census, 2001

As per the above table, 48 blocks are situated in Northern Karnataka region and the remaining 14 blocks are in southern region. The districts like Yadgir, Raichur, Gulbarga, Bellary, Koppal, Bijapur and Bagalkot have more EBBs.
ii)  Initiates of the State Government to promote education of girls
Free supply of Uniforms, Text books, School bags, Note books, Fee exemption and Mid-day meal programme are some of the programmes being implemented by the State Government to promote education of children and some of them are focus on the education of the girl child.  Bicycle scheme for the rural girls and boys encourage children from BPL family to commute easily to nearby Higher Primary School or Secondary School thereby directly improving the attendance and retention rate of girls. 
 The State government is providing free education to all the categories of girls up to Class XII of Government and Aided institutions.  Free text books to all the children of Class I to VIII.  All the girls and SC/ST boys studying in Aided institution from class I to VIII have received free text books under SSA during 2009-10.  Free supply of school bags and note books have been made to SC/ST girls of Class V to VII.  However free supply of uniform is made to all the children of Class I to X. Sarva Shikshana Abhiya initiatives have brought positive changes in the girls’ education scenario. This could be seen from the educational indicators

Table 5 : Gender Gap in Enrollment and Gender Parity index

Details	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Gender Gap-Primary	2.96	3.19	3.12	3.20	3.32
Gender Gap-Upper Primary	3.33	4.07	3.45	3.66	3.80
Gender Parity Index-Primary	0.94	0.94	0.94	0.94	0.94
Gender Parity Index-Upper Primary	0.93	0.92	0.93	0.93	0.93

Source: DISE

Table 6: Dropout rate of Girls

Details	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Drop Out-Primary	9.00	6.70	6.41	4.60
Drop Out-Upper Primary	17.40	13.30	12.00	8.30

Source: DISE

It is evident from the above tables that there are positive changes in the development of girls’ Education.

• Retention Strategies.

Free supply of Uniforms, Text books, School bags and Mid-day meals have been provided under State sector for retaining the girls in primary/higher primary schools.  The State government is providing free education to all categories of girls up to 12th standard in government and aided institutions.  Free supply of text books to all the children from 1 to 7th standard is made under State sector funds.  Free supply of school bags and note books are made to SC/ST girls of 5th to 7th class.  However, free supply of uniforms is made to all the children of 1 to 10 standards. Convergence is made with the scheme of “Total Sanitation Campaign” under the Department of Rural Development and Panchayath Raj at the district level with District Zilla Panchayat Offices.  The infrastructure gap in toilets and drinking water is being getting narrowed at the district level with the convergence strategies. 

• Achievement level of girls –

As per the KSQAO assessment of 2007-08 the girls’ achievement is given in the on going table.

Table 7: Achievement of Girls during 2007-08 as per KSQAO

SL.NO	Class	All girls	Category wise girls achievement
			SC	ST	Min	Others
1	5	72.15	67.96	69.02	73.49	74.1
2	7	72.99	68.85	69.53	74.45	74.63

Source: KSQAO, 2007-08

Table 8: Achievement of Girls during 2008-09 as per KSQAO

Medium	5th Std		7th std		8th std
	Boys	Girls	Boys	Girls	Boys	Girls
Kannada	74.41	76.44	70.43	73.23	49.46	53.08
English	0	0	0	0	49.27	54.16
Urdu	75.55	79.39	74.60	78.63	60.8	66.19
Marati	76.63	78.34	74.92	76.66	53.43	57.4
Tamil	74.01	77.95	72.62	75.66	52.0	60.07
Telugu	72.21	74.20	69.27	70.67	59.02	64.11

Source: KSQAO 2008-09
It can be seen from the above table that girls’ achievement is more than that of boys for all the Standards and for all the mediums.

Times of India Date: 23-01-2010

It can be observed from the times of India report that the Gender disparities are coming down in State of Karnataka. This can be attributed to various interventions of State and Union Governments including SSA programmes like KGBV and NPEGEL.

Girls Education under Innovative Activities:

Adolescent Camps:

Educating adolescent girls may perhaps be the only way to put an end to the seemingly never-ending cycle of issues like dropout, low attendance, and low age of marriage and low status of women.
Specific inputs are necessary to enhance their self-esteem and self-confidence to familiarize them with the status and problems related to women.  Equally, discussion and orientation on health, hygiene, menstruation and related physiological knowledge which are not being covered as part of the regular curriculum, help students to explore a universe beyond their textbooks.
In this regard, a three day awareness camp (jagruthi shibhira) for the adolescent girls was conducted under innovative activity for girls.  This also aims to prevent adolescent girls from dropping out of education system.
36 camps per each district have been sanctioned with the cost of Rs. 5.5 lakh per district.  Out of Rs.5.5 lakh, Rs.2.75 lakh is utilised from UDC and Rs.2.75 lakh from minority community intervention. NGOs involved in the empowerment of women are involved in conducting 3 days camps for the adolescent girls. In few districts, BRC and CRC faculty in association with local experts like doctors, teachers conduct these adolescent camps.  
The 03 day residential training programme with a cost of Rs.15, 000 covers 50 girl children; attempts to educate girls regarding puberty. Health related aspects; empowerment; child rights, solve the problem through scientific method; Local Doctors, teachers. Educationists function as resource persons. The camp is of residential in nature. These camps are conducted under the guidance of Block level functionaries, Block Gender C, CGC, and  CRPs . The camps are interactive in nature. Through these camps girls get additional information which help them to face life with better confidence.