Kathmandu, December 4

Minister for Education Dhaniram Paudel today said that although the overall quality of education was improving in the country, schools still had unequal numbers of male and female students, largely because of a lack of female-friendly infrastructures such as toilets.

Addressing ‘National Conference on Students Education and Gender Equity’ organised by the Department of Education, Minister Paudel said, “Teachers and parents alike have yet to understand the needs of female students.

Gender discrimination is still prevalent in society. Solving the issue of gender disparity in schools would definitely transform the education sector.” Minister Paudel said female students were hesitant to discuss their problems with their teachers.

Similarly, Chairperson of Women, Children, Senior Citizens, and Social Welfare Committee of the Parliament, Ranju Kumari Jha, said dowry system, chhaupadi, and child marriage that still existed in rural areas must be eradicated. “Many rural communities believe that educating girls is unimportant. Many young girls are still forced into early marriage,” she said.

As per the joint monitoring report prepared by the ministries of education; women and children; health and population; youth and sports; and federal affairs and local development, 10 to 15 per cent of children are deprived of education due to poverty.

Similarly, most school buildings are not disabled-friendly, and few schools have female-friendly toilets and proper sanitation, according to the report.