Determinants of Gender Disparity in Higher Education in India-State wise Analysis
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Date
2014
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Abstract
Higher education is a very important sector for the growth and development of human
resource which can take responsibility for social, economic and scientific development of the
country. At the time of Independence of India, there were only 20 Universities and
500 Colleges in the country with 2.1 lakhs students in higher education. The total enrolment
in the higher education system increased from 0.17 million in 1950-51 to 20.4
percent in 2011-12. Total enrolment at higher education level increased at an average annual
growth rate of 9.50 percent. In this context the research study on “Determinants of Gender
Disparity in Higher Education in India-Statewise Analysis” was formulated with the
objectives to estimate gender disparity index in higher education, to find out course wise_
gender disparity in higher education and to identify the determinants of gender disparity in
higher education. The study was related to 16 major states of India for 2008-09 and 2009-10
the required data were compiled from annual report of ministry of human resource
development report 2008-09 and 2009-10, Women statistics in India 2010. The study
estimated Sopher’s disparity index and Discriminant analysis. As per the study in the
reference period the average percentage of women enrolled in higher education was lower
(39.67 percent) than that of men (60.33). In the Sopher’s disparity index in enrolment in
higher education was found to be the highest in Orissa and lowest in Gujarat and Punjab. The
estimated discriminant function was statistically valid as indicated by Mahalanobis ‘D’
squared value of 4.51. To reduce gender disparity in higher education the study recommends
that the scholarships can be given to women for motivating them to enter into higher
education and Special efforts should be formulated to create awareness among the girls
students about the benefits of higher education.