India’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been firm in principle and often ambitious in its policy outlook. SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) aim to ensure inclusive, equitable education and to empower women and girls. But while India has made significant progress in enrollment and awareness, deep-rooted systemic barriers continue to threaten the longevity and sustainability of this progress.
Enrollment Is Rising, but Retention Is Weak
India has achieved near-parity in primary school enrollment between boys and girls. Secondary enrollment for girls is currently around 82.9%, showing positive national momentum. However, this success is fragile: more than 4 million girls dropped out of school in just one academic year (2021–22). The dropouts are highest during adolescence, around the onset of menstruation, where factors like poor sanitation, early marriage, or safety concerns take over.
So while SDG 4 metrics on access may look optimistic, retention and learning outcomes paint a different story. If girls are entering school but not staying or succeeding, the goal remains only partially achieved.
The Gender Gap Persists in Quality and Outcomes
While access has improved, quality has not kept pace. Girls, especially in government schools, continue to perform lower in STEM subjects, often due to lack of encouragement, absence of female role models, and societal perceptions that these fields are “not for women.”
Moreover, even among those who complete secondary education, only a small fraction transition to higher education or skill-based jobs. The lack of gender-sensitive career counseling, poor infrastructure in colleges, and familial restrictions prevent further academic progression.
Infrastructure Inequality Undermines SDG Progress
The foundation of SDG 4 lies in infrastructure: safe schools, clean toilets, internet access, and hygienic learning spaces. But many schools in rural India still lack basic necessities, especially for girls. Inadequate WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities directly affect attendance, particularly during menstruation. A staggering 23% of girls drop out during puberty, often because they have nowhere safe or private to manage their periods.
This undermines both SDG 4 and SDG 5 goals. If basic physical needs aren’t met, the educational aspirations become unachievable.
Early Marriage and Gender Norms Disrupt Progress
Despite laws and awareness campaigns, early marriage is still a leading cause of girls discontinuing education. Families often believe marriage secures a girl’s future, especially in communities where girls are not seen as future breadwinners.
These cultural norms deeply affect the success of gender-equality-driven policies. Even when schools are available and free, education is not always perceived as necessary for daughters—especially beyond basic literacy.
Digital Divide Further Deepens the Gap
With education increasingly moving online, girls face a double disadvantage: lack of devices and poor digital literacy. While SDG frameworks encourage innovation and inclusive tech, the current reality is stark. Only 15% of rural girls use the internet, often with very limited access. Without urgent attention to digital equity, the new wave of education reforms could widen—not bridge—the gender gap.
What Needs to Change
To truly align with the SDGs and create long-lasting impact, India needs to transform intent into action:
- Move Beyond Enrollment Metrics: Track learning outcomes, emotional wellbeing, and retention.
- Integrate Gender in Budgeting: Allocate specific funds for girl-friendly infrastructure and safety in schools.
- Strengthen Community Accountability: Local governments, school boards, and panchayats must be made responsible for girl-child education.
- Embed Menstrual Hygiene Management into Education Policy: Pads, toilets, and education should be non-negotiables.
- Bridge the Digital Divide: Ensure free data packs, shared devices, and safe access in every village.
- Shift Social Norms: Invest in media campaigns, role model programs, and mother-daughter peer education.
Conclusion
India’s story of girls’ education is one of ambition battling adversity. The SDGs offer a clear framework—but frameworks alone don’t change lives. Only integrated, community-rooted, girl-first policies will ensure that every girl not only enters a classroom—but thrives in it, graduates, and builds a future of her choosing.