Rural India’s Parents: 78% dream of their girls thriving past graduation

A recent report by the Development Intelligence Unit (DIU), in collaboration with Transform Rural India and Sambodhi Research and Communications Pvt Ltd, brings heartening news from rural India. The study highlights a widespread belief among parents that their child’s gender should never limit educational aspirations. The survey, encompassing children aged six to sixteen across 20 states, uncovered that an impressive 78 per cent of parents with daughters and 82 per cent with sons are committed to educating their children beyond graduation.

Titled ‘State of Elementary Education in Rural India-2023’, the report was unveiled by Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. The official presentation took place during TRI’s India Rural Colloquy 2023 (IRC) on August 8, 2023 at the India Habitat Centre in Delhi, reaffirming the nation’s dedication to inclusive education.”

The report also noted that the finding, which indicates no disparity in parental aspirations concerning the education of their children, calls for continued efforts to promote inclusive education. This will ensure sustainable opportunities for boys and girls alike.

“This highly positive sign has the potential to further strengthen educational growth in the rural sector. We hope that our policymakers, educational institutions, and other stakeholders will acknowledge these common aspirations to establish an inclusive environment that ensures growth and development for every child in rural India,” said Javed Siddiqui, Lead, Education at Transform Rural India.