Role of stakeholders towards the education of Muslim girls in and around Vadodara

Abstract

Education is perceived as a tool for liberation among the common people. It is through the medium of education people comprehend their substantial situations and surrounding and make conscious effort for the improvement, which enables them to prepare to confront the social, political and cultural issues suitably. Hence each citizen of the nation, irrespective of the gender, caste, religion, race have a right to be educated. According to the statistical data of Census 2011, AISHE report (2018-19), the rate of higher education among Muslims in India is less than the other socio- religious communities residing in the country. The present thesis is descriptive research taken up with the objective to study; Numbers of Muslim girls enrolled in secondary and higher secondary classes in and around Vadodara city, to explore the roles of the stakeholder associated in the education of Muslim girls, to understand the home environment of Muslim girls and to find out the career aspiration of Muslim girls. Stratified random sampling was used, to collect data from 542 participants comprising of Muslim girls studying in XI and XII standard of Muslim Managed schools, higher secondary school teachers, principal, and parents of the Muslim girls. Tools used in the study were questionnaire and interview schedule by visiting schools and doing home visits. Collected data was analyzed using correlation and ANOVA, and data on open ended questions was analyzed using content analysis. The findings of the study highlight the ratio of Muslim girls pursuing higher education is still very less, as they drop-out from higher secondary classes because of various socio- economic and cultural factors. The study also explores the role of the stakeholders associated towards higher education among Muslim girls and provide suggestions with a view to improve the existing higher educational scenario of Muslim girls within the city, to bring about a positive change by affirmative actions and deliberations.