Educational drivers for adolescent girls: is the future female?

Abstract

India has quietly been through an education revolution within a generation: several programmes like Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Beti Bachao- Beti Padhao have contributed to girls pouring to schools in larger numbers than ever before. But the numbers obscure a complex reality for girls in school, particularly for the adolescent girls. Adolescence is the time when important decisions have to be taken. A web of factors come into play which develop certain aspirations among girls regarding their education and future careers. We examine these inter-related factors in depth, and present evidence on how these factors have shaped up teenagers’ educational expectations and aspirations. We also present insights which came through our interactions, and then finally reflect on our findings. The key motivation for carrying out this research is to provide recommendations for making the school climate more conducive to students. Because, good support during adolescence can enable young people to make positive transitions into adulthood.