Rise in Female Higher Education Enrolment
News update from our source, Reader Wall, reveals a significant increase in female enrolment in higher education. According to the most recent All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), the number of enrolled females has risen to 2.07 crore, marking a 32% increase since 2014-15. During the same period, total enrolment increased by 26.5%.
Key Findings
The Union education ministry conducted the survey, covering higher educational institutions nationwide. The aim was to collect detailed data on aspects such as student enrolment, teacher demographics, infrastructure, and finances. The findings indicate a steady increase in female enrolment over the past several years.
Delving into specifics, the report shows that female enrolment rose from 2.01 crore in 2020-21 to 2.07 crore in 2021-22, following up from 1.74 crore in 2017-18. Essentially, the past five years have seen an 18.7% enrolment growth, with an overall rise of approximately 50 lakhs since 2014-15.
Interestingly, of the total enrolment increase (91 lakh) since 2014-15, females represent 55%. This suggests a higher female enrolment increase in contrast to males.
Implications of the increase in female enrolment
University Grants Commission (UGC) chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar views this trend as reflective of a paradigm shift in female access to higher education. He attributes this positive change to various initiatives designed to encourage female participation, such as targeted scholarships, girls’ hostels, and flexible learning options.
Further analysis of enrolment shows equitable gender distribution amongst students taking art and science subjects. Arts subjects account for 1.13 crore students, 51% of whom are female. Science disciplines have recorded 49.18 lakh students enrolled, with 50.8% being female.
Expert Opinions
Sonal Kapoor, founder director of a non-governmental organization, Protsahan India Foundation, appreciates the increased number of young women getting involved in STEM fields. However, she underscores that true progress depends not only on enrolment numbers but also on being able to translate educational achievements into sustainable career opportunities and financial independence for young women.
Further Findings
The survey outcomes also provide insights into various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Females participate more in Bachelor’s programmes like the Bachelor of Arts, Science, and Bachelor of Education. The ratios are 113, 108, and 176 (female to male), respectively. In the medical science field, females constitute 57.6% of the 17.05 lakh total enrolment.
Postgraduate level studies also show considerable female participation, especially in programs like Master of Arts, Science, Commerce, and Master of Education. However, female representation in engineering and technical courses continues to be low at 29.1%.
