Various steps have been taken to bring gender parity in School Education; GPI increased from 0.92 in 2014-15 to 1.0 in 2018-19 for Higher Education - HRD Minister

Gender Parity Index (GPI) at various levels reflects equitable participation of girls in the School system. However, under Samagra Shiksha - an Integrated Scheme for School Education (ISSE), bridging Social and Gender Gaps in School Education continues to be one of the major objectives.
Gender Parity Index (GPI) for the year 2018-19 at different levels of School Education is as under:       

To bring gender parity and equity in School Education, various interventions  have been targeted for girls under Samagra Shiksha which include opening of schools in the neighbourhood as defined by the State, provision of free text-books to girls up to Class VIII, uniforms to all girls up to class VIII, provision of gender segregated toilets in all schools, teachers' sensitization programmes to promote girls' participation,  provision for Self-Defence training for the girls from classes VI to XII, stipend to CWSN girls from class I to Class XII, construction  of  residential  quarters  for  teachers  in  remote/hilly  areas/in areas with difficult terrain. 

In addition to this, to reduce gender gaps at all levels of school education and for providing quality education to girls from disadvantaged groups, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) have been sanctioned in Economically Backward Blocks (EBBs) under Samagra Shiksha.  KGBVs are residential schools from class VI to XII for girls belonging to disadvantaged groups such as SC, ST, OBC, Minority and Below Poverty Line (BPL). A total of 5930 KGBVs have been sanctioned under Samagra Shiksha as on 30.09.2019.

Moreover, Under Samagra Shiksha, State Specific Projects for varied interventions under equity, including menstrual health and hygiene are emphasized for enhancing access, retention, quality and reducing drop-out of girls in schools by promoting enrolment drives, retention and motivation camps, gender sensitization modules etc. State Specific Projects are sanctioned by the Project Approval Board as per the Annual Work Plans proposed by the State/UT concerned. Such projects include Life Skills, Awareness programmes, Incinerators, Sanitary Pad Vending Machines. The amount of Rs 15,566.96 lakh (US$ 22.27 million) has been approved for State Specific Projects for the year 2019-20 under Samagra Shiksha. 

As per All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) Report 2018-19, there is an increase in Gender Parity Index in Higher Education across the country. It has increased during the last five years from 0.92 in 2014-15 to 1.0 in 2018-19.

This information was given by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.