Gender Disparity In Tribal Literacy and Education: A Study About Marginalized Communities of Jharkhand

Gender disparity in India is ingrained in patriarchal social division, economic inequalities, enduring cultural norms, and political spheres. Although considerable progress is achieved, persistent gaps in literacy, education, and employment opportunities demand more inclusive, prolonged, and intersectional policy efforts— especially for marginalized cohorts such as tribal women, who contend with double discrimination arising from socioeconomic disadvantage and gender. Despite notable efforts in the implementation of educational policies and outreach initiatives, gender disparity in literacy and educational access remains a salient challenge among the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India.

This research paper scrutinizes the dynamics and extent of gender inequality in literacy and school education among tribal communities in Jharkhand—a state with a significant indigenous demographic and persistent socio-economic adversity. Utilizing the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) as a key indicator, the paper analyses enrollment trajectories across primary, middle, and secondary school stages, thereby revealing significant disparities between tribal boys and girls. While national and state-level initiatives such as the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Right to Education (RTE) Act endeavor to advance the universal education, ground-level disparities persist driven by factors including poverty, social norms, precocious marriage, and insufficient educational infrastructure in tribal regions.

This investigation also highlights alarming dropout rates among tribal girls, particularly pronounced during the transition from primary to upper primary and secondary education, thereby impeding efforts toward inclusive development and gender equity in education. By analyzing disaggregated data and identifying critical impediments, this study underscores for more targeted, culturally attuned, and gender-responsive policy interventions to bridge the educational divide among Jharkhand’s marginalized tribal communities.