The Asia Society is hosting an event in Washington, DC to discuss the topic of "Keeping Girls in School." From the Asia Society Website:
"The issue of gender-based educational rights remains a challenge for many Asian countries, particularly in rural areas. There are many reasons why girls have no access to basic education or drop out from schools. These include economic considerations, gender bias, safety, lack of adequate school facilities within their neighborhoods, and absence of female role models in schools. Girls' education is vital to a country's development because it promotes investment in human resources and is capable of raising living standards and encouraging social stability if managed well."
This topic is germane to Nepal's educational system. At my school, which is semi-rural, about 70% of the students are girls. In Nepal there is a huge private school industry where the private schools' main difference from public schools is the use of English as the sole medium for teaching. A good English background is a top educational objective for many families. So, if families have enough money to afford private school they will choose to send a boy leaving the girls to go to the public schools. Granted there are lots of boys and girls who do not attend school at all, this sexual bias creates an interesting dynamic in the classroom and school.
"The issue of gender-based educational rights remains a challenge for many Asian countries, particularly in rural areas. There are many reasons why girls have no access to basic education or drop out from schools. These include economic considerations, gender bias, safety, lack of adequate school facilities within their neighborhoods, and absence of female role models in schools. Girls' education is vital to a country's development because it promotes investment in human resources and is capable of raising living standards and encouraging social stability if managed well."
This topic is germane to Nepal's educational system. At my school, which is semi-rural, about 70% of the students are girls. In Nepal there is a huge private school industry where the private schools' main difference from public schools is the use of English as the sole medium for teaching. A good English background is a top educational objective for many families. So, if families have enough money to afford private school they will choose to send a boy leaving the girls to go to the public schools. Granted there are lots of boys and girls who do not attend school at all, this sexual bias creates an interesting dynamic in the classroom and school.
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