AISHE report: Enrolment of girls in higher education ‘significantly more’ than that of boys in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, February 5

Himachal figures among the top states in terms of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and Gender Parity Index (GPI) in higher education. As per the All-India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE 2021-22) by the Ministry of Education, which was released recently, the state has a GER of 43.1 per cent as against the national GER of 28. Excluding Union Territories, Tamil Nadu is the only state having higher GER (47) than Himachal.

More significantly, female enrolment is “significantly more” than male enrolment as reflected by the Gross Parity Index (GPI) of 1.33. For every one male student in higher education, there are 1.33 female students in the state. The state stands only behind Kerala (excluding UTs), which has a GPI of 1.44. At national level, the GPI stands at 1.01.

“The higher female enrolment in higher education has firmed up into a trend in the state. And it’s a good trend as it shows the importance people are attaching to the education of a girl child,” said Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary, Education. Incidentally, the higher female enrolment for higher education is not limited to any particular segment of society. It’s a trend across most social segments, including the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes. The GPI among Scheduled Caste is 1.36, while among Scheduled Tribes it is 1.31. And like the overall GPI, the GPI among these communities is also showing an upward trend.

One major reason for the increasing GER and higher female enrolment is the relatively easier access to colleges for the eligible population. As per the survey, the state has the fourth highest college density per lakh eligible population (18-23 age group) in the country. The state has 47 colleges per lakh eligible population as against 30 at the national level.

While agreeing that higher college density is a big reason for higher GER and GPI, Kanwar believes the desire among parents to give good education to their children regardless of the gender is an equally important factor. “The availability of colleges nearby is certainly driving up the overall and female enrolment, but a large section of people are now open to sending their daughters to faraway places for higher education. This strong desire to provide good education to girl child is equally responsible for higher female enrolment,” said Kanwar.

Meanwhile, teachers point out that girls are doing much better than boys in schools, leading to a greater enrolment of girl child for higher education. “Also, the message of gender equality has travelled to even the remotest places. Parents no longer differentiate between sons and daughters,” said Sandeep Sharma, Principal, Government Senior Secondary School, Cheog.

Besides, the incentives the government is offering for girls’ education is also driving up their enrolment for higher education.