Getting To Know Your International Contacts - Part 2

When considering issues of excellence and equity pertaining to India, Dr. Sriram described themes similar to what we have been studying within the educational system of the United States.  There is currently a rights-based approach to education, and equity is being sought.  Sriram suggests that much work is needed to overcome the great inequality that current exists in India's system, and while great efforts are being made, high-quality education for all remains elusive.

India is following The Dakar Framework for Action, and is seeking to make high-quality education available for everyone.  There is an emphasis placed on ensuring the availability of free and mandated high-quality programming, especially for vulnerable and disadvantaged youth, children of ethnic minorities, and girls (efforts are being made to increase literacy skills for women, an area men have long dominated throughout India's history).  Sriram feels that gender equality will help improve the overall quality of education, making it easier to reach the country's goals of improving life skills, as well as literacy and numeracy skills.  

From this information, it certainly appears that gender inequalities in India are reminiscent of years past in the United States.  While we are seeing more equality among genders in the United States, we are still seeing great disparities between educational opportunities for people from varying socioeconomic backgrounds.  As research continues to support the importance and need for high-quality early childhood programming, India, much like the United States, is attempting to be much more intentional in seeking equity.  I am hopeful that efforts are rewarded in both countries.