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Analysis Study Research Paper | Education Management | India | Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023

NEP - 2020 and Women Education in Odisha: Problems and Prospects

Satadal Giri | Dr. Jyoti Sankar Pradhan

Abstract: The Goal 4 of the 2030 global Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG4), adopted by India in 2015 targets to ?ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all? by 2030. On the other hand, the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) envisages an inclusive and structural change in the educational system. It focuses on 'Equitable and Inclusive Education' which reverberates the idea that no child should be left behind. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisages equitable and inclusive education for all, with special focus on children and youth, especially girls, from socially and economically disadvantaged groups. The policy?s focus is important because despite effort to educate women, the dropout rate for girls is still high after secondary education. The enrolment ratio too dips at the secondary and higher secondary levels. Among many reasons, the onset of menstruation and the lack of availability of hygienic toilets are responsible for girls leaving school without completing education. The NEP 2020 intends to meet this challenge through its Gender Inclusion Fund (GIF). The NEP states that the "Gender Inclusion Fund" will be available to states to implement priorities determined by the Central government critical for assisting female and transgender children in gaining access to education (such as the provisions of sanitation and toilets, bicycles, conditional cash transfers, etc.,). The fund will be used to provide quality education to all students. Hopefully, it will also be used to ensure facilities secured and hygienic toilets would definitely be a part of GIF?s infrastructural checklist. Besides toilets, hostel facilities for girl students have been recommended by NEP. This would be welcome in those areas where students have to travel long distances to reach school. After 34 years, there is a change in the education policy in India with the introduction of the New Education Policy 2020 (NEP). This new policy aims at universalization of education in India with 100% gross enrolment ratio by 2030 for school education and 50% by 2035 for higher education. The first such move as the formation of a Gender Inclusion Fund toward equitable education for girls who are underprivileged and creating Special Education Zones is included in the provision. Within the goal, it also intends to improve women leadership capacity through positive civil dialogues with women leaders involved in the education system. If implemented, this will bring a record participation rate in higher education, decrease gender gaps at all levels and ensure the practice of gender equity and inclusion in society. In this study, an attempt has been made to study the New Education Policy 2020 on women education, its provisions, implications and challenges with special reference to Odisha.

Keywords: NEP - 2020, Women Education

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023,

Pages: 2545 - 2549