Course Code: QTTM509 Student Name: Vicky Mehta

Course Title: Research Methodology I Roll No. RQ2253B42

Class: MBA Section: 2253
Name of the Faculty Member: Dr. Tirtha Saikia Academic Task I

Literature Review:
Dhamija, Neelam, (2006), did her study on ‘Women Empowerment through Education; Role
of Universities’. It was revealed from the study that educating women benefits the whole
society and on the basis of this education they enjoy their status in our society. It has a more
significant impact on poverty and development than men’s education. It is also one of the
most influential factors in improving child health and reducing infant mortality.
Janaki, D., (2006), in the article ‘Empowerment of women through Education; 150 years of
University Education in India’ found that education will be used as an agent of basic change
in the status of women. The concept of equality, opportunity and education touches every
aspect of women’s lives; social, political and economical.
Gregory, M., (2010), ‘Educational Inequality between Brothers and Sisters in the United
States’. This paper studies that the direction and magnitude of the national gender gap was
not much in doubt for most of the century. Early attainment studies included gender as a
predictor of years of schooling completed, generally finding women received less schooling
than men. A number of theories exist for the gender gap in education. Many agents, including
family, school, and the media, present models of how girls and boys should act in various
context including in the Classroom.
Ranganath, Santosh, et al, (2011), ‘Gender Equality in Education’. It is found that
educational inequality is a major infringement of the rights of women and girls and an
important barrier to social and economic development. To promote gender equality and parity
in education, States must target their efforts not only towards education itself, but also
towards society’s cultural and institutional framework.
Wei, Dengjian, (2011), in the article ‘The Probing into Gender Role Education Problems in
the High Segment of Village Primary School region’ has done investigation on gender role
education problems in the high segment of village primary school region by adopting field
investigations. Many factors have exerted a great influence on the gender role development of
students, including neglecting gender role education in school education, feminine tendency
of evaluation system, no gender difference education under stipulating and restricting of
system, teacher and students gender role stereotyping and eliminating and fracturing of
traditional cultural concept etc. These caused gender education problems, such as ‘boy
vulnerable, sexual discrimination, no-genderalization and gender-neutralization.
Buzar, Ayub Muhammad; Akhtar, Ali, (2011), ‘Parents’ Attitude towards
Daughters’ Education in Tribal Area of Dera Ghazi Khan (Pakistan)’, this paper aimed to
investigate the significance of girls’ education for tribal parents. Existing and expected role of
tribal parents as well as contribution from government and community for girls’ education
was also aimed to explore in research questions. The paper recommends several empirical
steps to overcome the problems of scarcity of human and physical infrastructural needs
including provision of new school locations and ensuring the availability of school buildings,
supporting infrastructure and teachers for already functioning schools in the area. Financial
aid for poor
students was also proposed in the study.
Area of Research Report chosen:
Reasons of India’s lacklustre performance in improving female literacy rate and wide gender
disparity in literacy rate despite government efforts.

Research Question:
According to the 2005 UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, which incorporates
the 2001 census, India ranked 123 out of 135 countries in Female Literacy Rate. Although
female literacy rate improved from 53.7% (census 2001) to 59.28% (census 2011) but female
literacy rate in India is still 23 percent points behind the world average of 82.65% And also
have a wide gender disparity of around 20% points. If we compare with developing countries
also, India ranks 38th among 51 developing countries. India’s female literacy rate is even less
than its neighbouring countries – Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh.
With the below research report we want to know what are the major reasons of such dismal
performance of India in female literacy rate.
Introduction
According to the 2011 Census, the person who can read and write with understanding and
communicate effectively in at least one language are considered as literate. The literacy rate
means the percentage of people with the ability to read and write. Literacy is a tool that
empowers and fuels social and human development. Knowledge of basic education and social
conventions combined with problem-solving capacities of people is what determines them as
being literate. Significant progress has been made in improving literacy rate in India.
India’s literacy rate has increased six times since Independence. Though the literacy rate has
increased from 12% in 2001 to 74% in 2011 yet India has the world’s largest population of
illiterate adults i.e. 287 million, which is 37% of the global total.
The literacy rate among Indian women is even worse i.e. 59.28% (as per census 2011) and
wide gender gap in literacy attainment of almost 20% points snatches their chance to be a part
of the progress and development of India. It is 23% points less than the world average of
82.65%.
Note on data and research question
Lots of work has been done in this area to increase female literacy rate and reduce gender gap
in literacy rate. But despite all these efforts, focus and awareness, we are still at 123rd
position out of 135 countries (as per census 2011) and even comparing with developing
countries our position is 38th out of 51 developing countries. This performance not only
hampers our nations progress but also paint a dark picture of future. As 47.78% out of school
children are girls so this will have impact on the education of their children.
It is found that illiterate women face more hardships in life than literate ones. It is not only
she who suffers but the entire family has to bear consequences of her illiteracy. They have
high levels of fertility as well as mortality, they suffer from malnutrition and all other related
health problems. In one of the surveys, it has been found out that infant mortality is inversely
related to mother’s educational level. In such a scenario not only women but their kids also
go through the same conditions. She, who does not know the importance of education in life,
does not emphasize the same for her kids. This hampers the family as well as the nation’s
progress as a whole.
There are lots of factors which are responsible for the poor female literate rate in
India:
1. Occupation of the girl child in domestic duties
2. Low enrolment of girls in schools in India
3. High dropout rate and Low retention rate
4. The Gender-based inequality.  Still, most lots of female girls are killed when they
are born
5. Social discrimination: Girls are always socially and economically discriminated

Literacy attainment in India are attributable to many social, economic and cultural factors.
The costs such as tuition fees and school supplies as well as opportunity costs of forgone
child labour, are privately borne by households. This leads to underinvestment in women’s
schooling. Accentuating the disadvantage for women are the social restrictions on their
mobility that prevent an educated woman from entering the labour force and offering support
to her household. The educational gender gap, therefore, is not only a reflection of the low
economic returns to female education but is also a symptom of the entrenched biases that
discourage the aspirations of women and other marginalised communities. Even as the
benefits of female education are public including a more productive workforce, lower fertility
and lower infant mortality rate. Still low literacy rate and wide gender gap in education
prevails in our society. Below is the correlation between fertility and female education –
Country Wise.
Trends in Male and Female Literacy Rate
About three decades ago, the male literacy rate in India was almost double that for females.
While this gap has reduced substantially over the years but still adult male literacy rate
surpasses the adult female literacy rate by 17 percentage points. (See Figure 1 and Table 1.)

Chart Title
90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
1987-88 1993-94 1999-2000 2007-08 2014 2017-18

Male Literacy Rate Female Literacy Rate Gap

Year MALE LITERACY RATE FEMALE LITERACY GAP

RATE
1987-88 60.5 31.5 28.8
1993-94 65.5 37.9 27.6
1999-00 69.2 43.8 25.4
 2007-08 76.6 54.9 21.7
2014-15 80.3 61.8 18.5
2017-18 81.5 64.6 16.9
Source: National Sample Survey @ Observer Research Foundation’s India Data Labs
There are currently 186 million females in India who are illiterate and even cannot write and
read simple sentence in any language. India is still far away from meeting Goal 4 of the UN
SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) of ensuring “inclusive and equitable quality
education” and “lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030.
But if we compare literacy rate of different age groups, then it shows us the different picture.
In age group 6-14 years (children) females are even surpassing male literacy rate. Indian Law
of free and compulsory education for this age group as fundamental right is showing positive
results. For age group 15-24 years (youth), gender gap is 3.7% points, which is still better
compared to overall gender gap. Next age groups are 25-64 years (working age population) &
65 years and above (elderly), gender gap in literacy for these two age groups is 20% and 30%
points respectively. This data shows that literacy gender gap in this age group is more than
the average gap which is bringing down the overall percentage of female literacy rate and
further increasing the gap.

120 120 100 70

90
100 100 60
80
70 50
80 80
60
40
60 60 50
40 30
40 40 30
20
20
20 20 10
10
0
0 0 0
19 -88
99 94
20 000
8

8
20 14
-0

-1

Male Literacy Rate

19 -88
99 94
20 000
8
20 4
8

19 -88
99 94
20 000
8
20 14
8

19 -88
99 94
20 000
8
20 14
8
20
19 93-
87

07

17
-0
1
-1

-0

-1

-0

-1
-2
20

20

20
19 93-

19 93-

19 93-
87

07

17

87

07

17

87

07

17
19
-2
-2

-2

Female Literacy Rate

19

19

19

Gap
Male Literacy
Female
Gap Literacy
Rate
Rate Male Literacy
Female
Gap Literacy
Rate
Rate Male Literacy
Female
Gap Literacy
Rate
Rate

06-14 Years 15-24 Years 25-64 Years 65 Years and above

A survey was done to analyse the mind set of our Indian society and to gauge the reasons of
low female literacy and literacy gender gap.
Link of survey: https://surveyheart.com/form/631d6e598d045e245bd95dcb
Results of the survey is shown below.
1 – NAME
2 – AGE

3 - GENDER
GENDER NO. OF RESPONSES PERCENTAGE
FEMALE 27 67.50%
MALE 13 32.50%

GENDER

0.325

0.675

FEMALE MALE

4 - Do you feel our society has a gender inclusive culture?

N0. 0F RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

STRONGLY AGREE 8 20
AGREE 16 40
NEUTRAL 12 30
DISAGREE 2 5
STRONGLY DISAGREE 2 5

NO. OF RESPONSES

5%5%
20%

30%

40%

STRONGLY AGREE AGREE NEUTRAL

DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE
5 - Many people still criticize and dislike the idea of co-education?

N0. 0F RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

STRONGLY AGREE 14 35
AGREE 8 20
NEUTRAL 16 40
DISAGREE 2 5
STRONGLY DISAGREE 0 0

NO. OF RESPONSES
5%

35%
40%

20%

STRONGLY AGREE AGREE NEUTRAL

DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE

6 - "DISCRIMINATION IS ONE OF THE REASON" for low Female literacy?

N0. 0F RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

STRONGLY AGREE 9 22.5
AGREE 18 45
NEUTRAL 9 22.5
DISAGREE 3 7.5
STRONGLY DISAGREE 1 2.5

NO. OF RESPONSES
3%

8% 23%

23%

45%

STRONGLY AGREE AGREE NEUTRAL

DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE
7 - Is 'Poverty' one of the reasons for female illiteracy?

N0. 0F RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

STRONGLY AGREE 8 20
AGREE 12 30
NEUTRAL 14 35
DISAGREE 6 15
STRONGLY DISAGREE 0 0

NO. OF RESPONSES

15%
20%

35%
30%

STRONGLY AGREE AGREE NEUTRAL

DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE

8 - "EARLY MARRIAGES AND LACK OF EDUCATION FOR WOMEN" is one of the reason for low
Female literacy rate?

N0. 0F RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

STRONGLY AGREE 6 15
AGREE 20 50
NEUTRAL 4 10
DISAGREE 8 20
STRONGLY DISAGREE 2 5

NO. OF RESPONSES
5%
15%
20%

10%

50%

STRONGLY AGREE AGREE NEUTRAL

DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE
9 - Do you agree that high fertility rate is correlated with female education.

N0. 0F RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

STRONGLY AGREE 4 10
AGREE 14 35
NEUTRAL 18 45
DISAGREE 2 5
STRONGLY DISAGREE 2 5

NO. OF RESPONSES
5%10%
5%

35%
45%

STRONGLY AGREE AGREE NEUTRAL

DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE

10 - Which strategies help women become more socially and economically empowered?

N0. 0F RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

Women working together to
challenge discrimination
Improve access to education
More income sources for
women
All of the above
2 5
4 10
3 7.5
31 77.5

NO. OF RESPONSES
5%
10%

0.075

0.775

Women working together to challenge discrimination

Improve access toMore income sources for women education
More income sources for women
All of the above
11 - Do you think high female literacy rate will improve their lives and contribute to the country's
growth?

N0. 0F RESPONSES PERCENTAGE

STRONGLY AGREE 27 67.5
AGREE 8 20
NEUTRAL 5 12.5
DISAGREE 0 0
STRONGLY DISAGREE 0 0

NO. OF RESPONSES
0.125

20%

0.675

STRONGLY AGREE AGREE NEUTRAL

DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE

With the help of this survey and above data and research, it is concluded below.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope -UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
It is a tool for daily life in modern society. It is a rampart against poverty which acts a
building block of development and removes several hurdles in the country’s development.
India is now the fastest growing economy in the world, so literacy must occupy a high spot
on the policy agenda. As there will be more requirement of skilled and literate workforce to
maintain the pace of growth of the economy.
This study analyse the root cause of slow improvement in female literacy rate and literacy
gender gap for different age groups over a span of three decades. The findings of this study
show that there is a need to introduce policies for working age population to make substantial
progress with regard to literacy and also to achieve greater gender parity in literacy
attainment. India is on track to achieve universal literacy among children and youth by 2030.
The male and female literacy rate for children shows a brighter picture and a consequent
closing of the literacy gender gap; there will likely be similar success for youth in the years to
come. However, growth in overall literacy numbers is tepid owing to the prevalence of
widespread illiteracy among older adults and the elderly. Literacy rate in youth is much better
than the literacy gender gap for older adults and the elderly, thereby showing a lack of gender
parity in their literacy attainment.
As a nation, India must aim to overcome the hurdles posed by illiteracy, not only to preserve
its economic vigour but also to ensure that every individual should has opportunities for
personal fulfilment and participation in society. For elderly and older adults in particular,
literacy plays an essential role in enabling them to remain in or rejoin the work force, to
contribute to society through volunteerism and civic participation, and to live full,
independent, and productive lives through their later years.To arrest this unfortunate trend,
policymakers need to re-examine their development agendas and make adult education a
priority.
Education is the most powerful weapon with which u can change the world – Nelson
Mandela.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PEER RATINGS
Group No. Registration Section Class Roll Name of PEER Reason for Work done by
for Number No. Student Rating Giving PEER the person
Assignment Rating
31 12213969 Q2253 B40 Madhu 10 Coordination Analysing
Singh and support literature review,
while preparation of
working graphs, tables,
questionnaires
31 12214232 Q2253 B42 Vicky 10 Self Analysing and
Mehta compiling
research
question and
research data
 31 12214720 Q2253 B43 Piyush 10 Good in data Finding ,
Verma research researching of
data
31 12214500 Q2253 B45 Raj Kumar 10 Good in Working on
analysing conclusion and
requirement recommendation
31 Q2253 B48,B49,B50

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Sources:
https://www.oxfamindia.org/featuredstories/10-facts-illiteracy-india-you-must-
know#:~:text=Economic%20disparities%2C%20gender%20discrimination%2C
%20caste,cycle%20of%20illiteracy%20in%20India.
https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/correlation-between-fertility-and-female-
education
https://www.firstpost.com/india/indias-female-literacy-has-gone-up-but-still-22-percentage-
points-behind-world-average-education-among-young-women-rising-7197631.html
https://www.thehindu.com/data/India-falls-short-in-female-literacy/article16080505.ece