It is important to note that gender equality is not a zero-sum game. It is not a matter of taking away from one group to give to another. Rather, it is about ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to succeed. According to a recent report by UNESCO, boys are increasingly being left behind in education. Globally, 132 million boys are out of school, which is more than half of the global out-of-school youth population and more than the 127 million girls who are also out of school. Boys are at greater risk of repeating grades, failing to progress and complete their education, and not learning while in school. While previously boys’ disengagement and dropout were concerns mainly in high-income countries, several low- and middle-income countries have seen a reversal in gender gaps, with boys now lagging behind girls in enrolment, completion, and learning outcomes.
It is clear that boys are facing challenges in education, and it is important to address these issues. However, simply giving boys 30% of the resources is not the solution. Instead, we need to look at the root causes of boys’ disengagement from education and address them. Poverty and the need to work are among the most important drivers of boys’ dropout. Gendered norms and expectations impact on boys’ motivation and desire to learn. In many contexts, school activities and certain subjects are considered at odds with expressions of masculinity, making education unpopular with boys. Practices such as the streaming of classes and gender segregation contribute to boys’ low motivation, underachievement, and disengagement from education. Harsh discipline, corporal punishment, and other forms of school-related gender-based violence also impact negatively on boys’ academic achievement and attainment.
In conclusion, it is important to ensure that boys are not left behind in education. However, this cannot be achieved by simply giving boys 30% of the resources. Instead, we need to address the root causes of boys’ disengagement from education and work towards creating an environment that is conducive to learning for all children, regardless of gender. By doing so, we can ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed.
