Education is the backbone of a nation’s economic and social development. Educational policies that foster gender equality by providing equal opportunities shape the future of society. In this article, you will explore the dimensions of educational policies that can reduce the gender gap in education.
Globalization, innovation in medicines, and advancement in technology have not only opened new opportunities but increased challenges. The nations are exploring ways to satisfy societal needs and to keep up with the latest innovations.
This is possible when policymakers focus on investing resources that foster effective and responsive education policies. One important aspect of developing efficient educational policies is targeting the gender gap in education.
What is an Educational Policy?
Educational policies are guidelines or set laws that the government provides to its educational system. The development and implementation of these policies are possible with the engagement of different stakeholders. These stakeholders comprise teachers, parents, school administrators, and community organizations.
Educational policies involve elements such as curriculum, teachers’ criteria, teaching methods, allocation of funds, and school infrastructure, etc. These elements are decided with reference to policy vision, objectives, and goals.
Educational policies are designed at macro and micro levels and can be tailored against the needs of a specific area and theme. Policy-makers can design gender-responsive policies to reduce the gender gap and promote gender equality and inclusion in society.
Importance of Educational Policies in Reducing the Gender Gap
Educational policies act as a cornerstone for sustainable development. The gender gap in education have a long-lasting impact on a woman’s life and on society as a whole. The progress of society is stalled when females are uneducated.
The consequences of gender-responsive educational policies are highlighted below;
- When women are deprived of education they are deprived to discover their potential and talent.
- The lack of women’s access to education hinders the economic development of a country. Uneducated women are unable to take part in the labor force of a country. Hence, it results in a significant loss of human capital.
- The gender gap in education reinforces social and cultural norms associated with gender.
- It perpetuates gender stereotypes and gender inequality the society as the role of women is confined to satisfying domestic responsibilities.
- Less educated women are likely to be hired in low-level jobs, such as cleaners or sweepers, etc. This strengthens the gender pay gap, occupational segregation, and gender inequality in society.
- Limited educational opportunities for women continues the vicious circle of poverty.
- The children of illiterate women are more likely to remain uneducated.
Types of Educational Policies to Address Gender Gap in Education
Before policy-makers jump into developing educational policies the core question they should ask is what is the main reason that hinders girls or boys from going to school? This question can be answered by assessing the ground reality in detail. Through initial assessment, you as a policy-maker can recommend an effective policy intervention.
So, the first thing is to explore the type of obstacles students are facing that are stopping them from going to school or college. These obstacles can be general or gender specific. They can also be associated with the social, legal, or economic aspects of a country.
1. Legal Reforms
Sometimes inadequate legal system can lead to the gender gap in education. The legal structure provides guidance to policy-makers and is crucial to influence the behavior of stakeholders.
Legislations related to compulsory education, vocational training, allocation of funds or quotas for female education, and teachers’ policy play a key role in fostering equal access to education.
2. Social and Cultural Norms
Social and cultural norms are another major reason that can cause unequal access to education. If the initial assessment identifies rigid social attitudes of people toward education or girls’ education, then advocacy programs should be part of educational policies.
The government can adopt grassroots intervention to change the attitude of local people. This can be achieved by collaborating with non-governmental organizations and by joining hands with local influential personalities.
3. Economic Resources
Lack of economic resources can be a problem even if parents are willing to send their daughters to school. If economic constraints and high school costs are identified then the government should focus on educational policies that reduce economic burden for parents.
Governmental organizations can ensure that educational costs, which include school fees, books, lunch, etc. are bearable by parents. Strategies can be developed that offer free education or books for those who lack economic resources.
4. Infrastructure Policies
At times legal, social, and financial aspects are in favor of girls’ education. The real problem lies in education policies that lack proper infrastructure. Long routes to schools, broken or no furniture, no electricity and lack of proper sanitation facilities can hinder females from accessing education.
Providing a proper atmosphere motivates students to go to school and get education. Hence, infrastructure policies are crucial to address the gender gap in education.
5. Curriculum Policies
National, provincial, and local governmental agencies develop educational policies that provide guidelines about the curriculum taught to students. This includes defining the content of the syllabus, directing subjects to be taught, and providing guidelines for teaching methods.
The advent of new technologies and discoveries in science has introduced new disciplines. Policy-makers should develop policies that cover the need for the latest courses and programs in this ever-changing world.
An outdated curriculum might literate young girls to read and write. But it will not equip them with the latest skills and knowledge suited for market demand. Therefore, governments should adopt strategies to provide the latest curriculum that meets the market’s demand.
6. Financial Policies
Financial policies are a crucial part of educational policies. It provides guidelines for the allocation of resources in the educational system. Financial policies define budgets and provide guidelines for expenditures. These policies can be used to reduce the gender gap in education by spending on girls’ education.
7. Teachers Policies
Teachers’ qualifications and their professional development are important to offer equal educational opportunities to females and males.
Policy-makers can provide guidelines through educational policies that define teachers’ roles. It also includes strategies that provide teaching methods and a code of ethics to adopt with students.
8. Gender-Specific Educational Policies
Despite focusing on the policies mentioned above, the gender gap in education can be reduced with policies that encourage females to access education.
- Governments can offer scholarships to girls who belong to rural areas and come from low-income families.
- Gender-balanced or gender-responsive curriculum is another possible way to challenge gender roles and gender stereotypes.
- Public-private partnerships can play an important role by offering boot camps and mentorship programs.
- Collaboration with local community-based organizations and local leaders can be effective in promoting girls’ education.
Concluding Remarks
The challenges that our world faces today in terms of globalization, urbanization, climate change, etc can be solved when the next generation is educated about these problems. The education system of a country is the way to equip the future generation with essential skills and knowledge. A strong educational system backed by strong educational policies can address these problems.
Educational policy is a multifaceted process that involves the participation of different stakeholders. It shapes the future of society and fosters inclusion and equality. To develop effective policies policy-makers must be aware of its dynamics.
