Maternal Education: Successes, Challenges & Way Ahead

Table of contents

Education has long been recognised as a key driver of social transformation, and recent data from the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 highlights a silent revolution in rural India. The report shows a significant decline in the proportion of unschooled mothers, reflecting the impact of sustained policy interventions like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), now integrated into Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
The findings underscore the critical role of maternal education in shaping child learning outcomes, with an increasing number of mothers pursuing education beyond Class 10.

Findings from ASER 2024

Decline in Unschooled Mothers

The percentage of unschooled mothers (of children aged 5-16) declined from 46.6% in 2016 to 29.4% in 2024.

Rise in Higher Educational Attainment of Mothers

The proportion of mothers studying beyond Class 10 increased from 9.2% in 2016 to 19.5% in 2024, with Kerala leading at 69.6% (up from 40% in 2016).
Himachal Pradesh (30.7% to 52.4%), along with Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal, showed significant progress.
Madhya Pradesh has the lowest percentage of mothers educated beyond Class 10, at 9.7% in 2024.

Bridging the Gender Gap in Education

The percentage of fathers studying beyond Class 10 rose from 17.4% in 2016 to 25% in 2024, reducing the gender gap in secondary education between fathers & mothers from 8 to 5 percentage points.

Reasons Behind the Improvement

Policy Interventions

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) (2001-02) and its transition into Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan have played a crucial role in ensuring universal elementary education and increasing enrollment rates.
Targeted gender-sensitive policies like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), and free/subsidised secondary education for girls have significantly improved female literacy.

Community Mobilisation and Civil Society Efforts

NGO initiatives, such as Pratham’s literacy and parental training programs, have empowered women through skill-based education.
Mass awareness campaigns promoting girls’ education as a social norm have helped shift societal attitudes.

Rural electrification, improved transport facilities, and digital learning platforms have enhanced access to education for women.
Changing economic aspirations in rural households have created a stronger push for higher educational attainment among women.

Challenges That Still Persist

Regional Disparities: While Kerala (69.6%) and Himachal Pradesh (52.4%) have seen significant improvements, states like Madhya Pradesh (9.7%) and Bihar still have alarmingly low levels of maternal education, highlighting uneven development.
Early Marriages & Societal Norms: NFHS-5 (2019-21) shows that 23.3% of women in India are married before the age of 18, leading to school dropouts, curtailed aspirations, and lower literacy levels among young mothers.
Digital & Financial Barriers: Rural women face limited access to smartphones, digital literacy programs, and financial resources, restricting their ability to pursue higher education through online platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM.
Limited Availability of Secondary Schools: A UNESCO report (2022) found that only 62% of rural habitations in India have a secondary school within 5 km, forcing many girls to drop out due to safety concerns and lack of transportation.
Burden of Household Responsibilities: Women, especially in rural areas, spend nearly 5 hours daily on unpaid domestic work (NSSO 2019), leaving little time for education or skill development.

Role of an Educated Mother in Societal Transformation

Strengthening Family and Child Development

Health and Hygiene Awareness: Leads to better maternal health, nutrition, and lower child mortality (NFHS-5, 2019-21).
Delaying Child Marriage and Motherhood: Reduces teenage pregnancy and improves maternal well-being (UNICEF, 2021).
Better Nutrition and Infant Care: Ensures balanced diets and reduces malnutrition (NFHS-5).

Driving Societal and Economic Progress

Improved Educational Outcomes: Children of educated mothers perform better academically (ASER, 2022).
Higher Workforce Participation: Every additional year of schooling increases women’s earnings by 10-20% (World Bank).
Promoting Gender Equality: Challenges patriarchal norms and empowers communities (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao).

Advancing National and Global Development

Economic Growth: Higher female literacy boosts GDP and human development (UNDP, 2021).
Sustainable Population Control: Educated mothers contribute to lower fertility rates (NFHS-5).
Global Alignment: Supports SDG Goal 4 (Education) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality).

Way Forward: Strengthening the Silent Revolution

Expanding Secondary & Higher Education Access: Strengthen the Right to Education (RTE) Act to ensure compulsory secondary education for girls, along with increased access to hostels, scholarships, and financial incentives for women in rural areas.
Strengthening Digital Literacy: Bridge the digital divide by introducing community-based digital education programs and expanding access to government-run online platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM.
Improving Vocational Training and Adult Literacy Programs: Promote National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 initiatives focusing on adult literacy, skill development, and women’s empowerment through education.
Community and Civil Society Participation: Scale up successful NGO-led interventions that focus on educating mothers and improving child learning outcomes.

“If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” Educating mothers transforms families, breaks poverty cycles, and drives sustainable growth, making women’s education a strategic necessity for progress.

Reference: The Indian Express

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 77

Q. “An educated mother is the foundation of a progressive society.” Discuss how increased maternal education influences economic growth, workforce participation, and gender equality. (150 words) (10 Marks)

Approach

Introduction: Introduce the answer by defining role of educated mother in shaping a progressive society.
Body: Discuss the transformative impacts of maternal education on society.
Conclusion: Conclude appropriately by highlighting the benefits for sustainable development.