Kanyashree Prakalpa as a catalyzer for development of women’s education in West Bengal, India

Abstract

Kanyashree Prakalpa initiative in advancing women's education in West Bengal, India. This study investigates the enrolment among female students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels before and after the implementation of Kanyashree Prakalpa in West Bengal and makes a comparison between enrolment before and after the implementation of Kanyashree Prakalpa. The methodological techniques used in this study are qualitative and documentary. Documentary analysis addresses the goals of the study by reviewing the available reports from the Department of Higher Education, Government of India's All-India Survey on Higher Education. Results showed that before the implementation of Kanyashree Prakalpa, the percentage of female enrolment fluctuated from around 43.94% to 53.85% at the undergraduate level and after the implementation of Kanyashree Prakalpa, the percentage increased, reaching as high as 59.04% in 2019-2020. At the post-graduate level before the implementation, the percentage of female enrolment fluctuated around 43.94% to 53.85%. After the implementation, the percentage increased, reaching as high as 59.04% in 2019-2020 at the postgraduate level. In conclusion, this research highlights Kanyashree Prakalpas as a promising model for the development of women's education and empowerment.