Urdu Editors Conference: Efforts to keeping more girls in school and learning

By Manish Kumar

To mark the second International Day of the Girl Child, UNICEF organized a meeting with top Urdu editors in the capital today. The conference which was supported by Shikhar, highlighted the power of innovation in education. The focus was on the crucial role that media can play to create a sustained discourse and highlight innovations that get more girls to school, keep them in school and improve the quality of learning for all children.

Evidence shows that even a single year of secondary school for a girl correlates with as much as a 25 per cent increase in her future earnings. Despite the decreasing number of girls out of school, many around the world are still denied a quality education and a chance to reach their full potential.

In India, the number of out-of-school children stands at 8.1million, of which 4.5 million are girls. For every 100 boys enrolled 88 girls are enrolled in secondary school. The main causes of school dropout among girls are child marriage and child labour.

On the occasion, Urmila Sarkar, Chief of Education UNICEF said “Investing in the education of girls, especially the most marginalised, is needed to make progress on most social indicators in India” said.

Ms. Sarkar also highlighted the importance of gender sensitisation. Teachers who have undergone gender sensitisation training have made a significant difference for adolescent girls in schools. The participation of Muslim girls has improved in Madrasas of Malda district of West Bengal where adolescent groups have been set up and trained. The girls now take up issues with the Panchayat to ensure entitlements reach the people.

Highlighting the crucial role of media, Caroline den Dulk, Chief of Communication & Advocacy, said, “Innovation can mean embracing new ways to overcome other barriers that keep girls out of school. Media, especially Urdu media which has the third largest readership after Hindi and English, can create a sustained dialogue on the diverse avenues available for girls to remain in school.”

Elementary education in India has made significant progress over the past few decades. The landmark passing of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009 marks a historic moment for the children of India. For the first time in India’s history, children are guaranteed their right to quality elementary education by the state with the help of families and communities.