Trend In Gender Inequality In Primary Education In India

ABSTRACT Primary education in India suffers from numerous shortcomings, not the least being a dire lack of the financial resources required to set up a nationwide network of schools. Traditionally, the infrastructure has underpaid teaching staff, disillusioned parents, and an unmotivated student population. In light of India’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of (Universal Primary Education), its major challenge is gender disparity and the resulting financial and societal blocks that prevent access to girls’ primary education. Any person in modern society requires knowledge and skill to participate in various social processes in the public domain and be associated with gainful economic activities. In primitive society, knowledge was based on experiencing natural events, and human survival depended on learning related to gathering food and meeting other essential needs, which was relatively minor. There was also little inequality in the society caused by differences in knowledge of different individuals because education was not so linked with the means of livelihood. The present knowledge base of society has been built over thousands of years. It has grown tremendously in the last few centuries. In keeping with that, the education system has evolved to develop knowledge and related skills from childhood. The functionality and wellbeing of any person largely depend on utilizing available knowledge and skills learnt through such education system. Also, to lead a meaningful life, everyone has to relate to others in society and realize their cultural values and social identity.