Gendered Capabilities and Primary Schooling in North Indian Context

Abstract

This ethnographic case study delved into the experiences of 11–13-year-old, year-six pupils in Northern Indian primary schools. The study utilised various data collection methods, including photographic data, photo-elicitation, semi-structured interviews and focus groups, and participant observations, to understand the gendered capabilities of female students in this context.

Grounded in Amartya Sen's capability approach (CA), the study analysed the specific achievements of female pupils during their primary schooling, aiming to uncover how teachers' practices may support or hinder girls' development. Bernstein's pedagogic code theory was employed to explore potential barriers to girls' progress, while the social construction of gender provided insight into the differential experiences of female and male students.

The findings shed light on how teachers' practices, influenced by societal norms favouring male superiority, can perpetuate gender inequalities within school environments, constraining the freedom of female pupils. However, despite these challenges, girls demonstrated agency shaped by their prior schooling experiences. Successful primary education can empower students with freedom, choice, and agency, even in environments characterised by gendered constraints.

The study underscores the immense potential for positive change within the North Indian education system, emphasising the importance of recognising how students navigate their values and choices within societal and institutional structures. Despite the obstacles posed by gendered practices, students' agency and empowerment remain evident, highlighting the intricate interplay between societal expectations and individual experiences in education. This insight offers hope for efforts to promote gender equality in education.

Date of Award	19 Feb 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Supervisor	Rita Chawla-Duggan (Supervisor) & Lizzi Milligan (Supervisor)