The Union government is focusing on three major policies to boost higher education enrollment for girls in rural areas. Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan announced these initiatives, emphasizing improved access and quality education for underserved communities.
Policy Focus on Rural Girls' Higher Education
The government is implementing measures under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Pradhan Mantri Ucchatara Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) scheme. These policies aim to enhance multidisciplinary education, develop localized curricula, and provide future-ready vocational training.
PM-USHA Scheme Details
Launched in June 2023 , PM-USHA targets underserved districts nationwide. A key objective is to encourage female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), vocational, and professional courses. Official data shows a rise in female enrollment from 2.06 crore in 2021-22 to 2.23 crore in 2023-24 . The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for women increased from 28.5 to 31.2 during the same period.
Under PM-USHA, colleges and universities in rural and urban areas receive support for infrastructure development and educational quality improvement. This initiative aims to strengthen the educational ecosystem, addressing a common barrier for girls discontinuing higher studies: inadequate infrastructure.
Targeting Underserved Regions
Priority is given to rural districts with lower GER and less female enrollment. Areas located on borders or affected by Left Wing Extremism will also be considered. This indicates a nationwide approach with an emphasis on area-specific needs to improve women's educational participation.
Addressing Barriers to Higher Education
Reasons for women opting out of higher education often include the distance of good institutions from rural areas and parental concerns. Financial constraints also contribute to girls dropping out after Class 12. NEP 2020 seeks to provide affordable and accessible higher education in areas lacking adequate infrastructure and educational access.
