Chennai: Tamil Nadu is next to Kerala with big states having more number of women in higher education in 2014-15 academic year. Kerala has 59 per cent followed by Tamil Nadu with 51 per cent girls in colleges and universities.
According to HRD ministry data, of the 6,70,850 students (all streams of higher education, UG, PG, doctoral and post-doctoral) in Kerala, 3,95,801 are girls and among the 24 lakh students in Tamil Nadu, women constitute 51 per cent (12,24,715).
Terming the numbers as a welcome sign, former vice-chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Prof V. Vasanthi Devi said that compared to several northern states, Tamil Nadu had been progressive since independence era and several welfare schemes helped attract students to schools, which could also be the reasons for the increase in numbers.
“Even though 51 per cent of women study in colleges and universities in Tamil Nadu, we also need to see what extent it has empowered women and helped them fetch a job,” she said.
Ms U. Vasuki, national vice-president of All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) said that there could be rural-urban divide in this issue too as more girls from urban areas get exposure and opportunity to higher education.
