(a) whether the Government has formulated/issued guidelines on "Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao" drive in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated thereto;
(c) the steps taken by the Government for campaigning on gender equality and prevent gender based discrimination in education institutions across the country;
(d) whether the universities have been asked to open gender club on their campus; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) & (b): "Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao" scheme is a joint initiative of Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource Development. Guidelines formulated by Ministry of Women & Child Development for implementation of "Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao" scheme have been issued to facilitate effective implementation of scheme on ground. These guidelines cover the key elements of the scheme including enforcement of Pre-Conception & Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, awareness and advocacy campaign and multi-sectoral action in select 100 districts which are low on Child Sex Ration (CSR).
The total project cost for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao for the 12th Five year Plan is Rs. 199.99 crore with 100% Central Assistance.
(c): Gender sensitization is a continuous process and the Ministry of Human Resource Development has been addressing it on priority. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 prioritizes gender as an important guiding principle in all curricular areas and stipulates that gender be an integral part of all disciplines offered to children at school stage. Gender concerns have been integrated in the curriculum and in the textbooks drawn up by the National Council of Education Research & Training (NCERT) and widely used by the schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and also in several State Governments.
To encourage the participation of girls at elementary level, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) provides for the opening of schools in the neighborhood to make access easier for girls, the appointment of additional teachers including women teachers, free textbooks, free uniforms, separate toilets for girls, teachers’ sensitization programmes to promote girls participation, gender-sensitive teaching learning materials including textbooks and the scheme of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas as residential upper primary schools for girls belonging to SC/ST/Minority Communities, BPL families and girls in difficult circumstances.
Under the Rashtriya Madyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) interventions to promote girls participation in secondary schools include opening of new schools, strengthening of existing schools, appointment of teachers, construction of residential quarters for teachers in remote/hilly areas, hostel facilities for girls, teacher sensitization programmes, separate toilet blocks for girls, stipend for girls with disability and vocationalization of secondary education which provides for choice of courses by the girls in such a manner that gender stereotyping is avoided. In addition, the National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE), exemption from paying tuition fee in Kendriya Vidyalayas, and 33% reservation for girls in Navodaya Vidyalayas, are also being implemented.
(d) & (e): Guidelines for Gender Champions in Educational Institutions dated 3rd June, 2015 issued by Ministry of Women & Child Development, which inter alia include promotion of Gender Champion Clubs in educational institutions, have been forwarded to the University Grants Commission for circulation to all universities and colleges.
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