Attitude of Parents and Teachers towards Kanyashree Prakalpa in Nadia District of West Bengal

West Bengal government has launched ―Kanyashree Prakalpa‖ scheme in 2013. The scheme intends to be available to families with an annual income of Rs 1.2 lakhs. The one-time payment of Rs 25,000 is offered to the girl who is part of this education scheme and is not married off below the age of 18 years (Sengupta, P., 2013). The broad aim of this scheme is protecting and empowering all adolescent girls and supporting their healthy development .by creating an enabling environment for their participation and meaningful contribution to society. WHO has identified this age group as the period of preparation for adulthood during which several key developmental experiences occur like acquiring social and economic independence, development of identity, the acquisition of skills needed to carry out adult relationships and roles and the capacity for abstract reasoning. While adolescence is a time of tremendous growth and potential, it is also a time of considerable risk during which social contexts exert powerful influences. (Source: Detailed Tables-SRS based on Census 2011). Child marriage and consequent school dropout of girl students is another significant area that has been considered under the purview of this scheme. While a number of factors contribute towards girls dropping out of schools, human rights research shows that the greatest obstacles to girls' education are child marriage, pregnancy and domestic chores, and that ensuring that girls stay in school is one of most effective protective measures against child marriage. In the above context, the Government of West Bengal has decided on creating an enabling environment for elevating the education, health and nutrition status of girl children through an innovative scheme "Kanyashree - Prakalpa". Department of Women Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal (DWD&SW) has designed the Kanyashree Prakalpa - a conditional cash transfer scheme with the aim of improving the status and well being of the girl child in West Bengal by incentivizing schooling of all teenage girls and delaying their marriages until the age of 18, the legal age of marriage. Kanyashree

scholarship of Rs. 500/- to all girls aged 13 but not yet turned 18. As the West Bengal Government has observed that at least 40 percent of the 'One-Time Grant' beneficiaries i.e. 'unmarried girls within the age-group 18-19 years, having family income of Rs. 1, 20,000/- or less per annum' are studying in different colleges and unitary universities across the state, all the principals of all the colleges under the state jurisdiction have been instructed to motivate all the eligible girls for enrolment under the Kanyashree Prakalpa. The principals have been further instructed to give necessary certification stating the fact that 'she is unmarried, studying regularly in the said institution and belonging to the age-group of 18-19 years' at the time of application with a family income of 1, 20,000/- or less per annum (Government of West Bengal 2014). Under the above backdrop, the present study was conducted in Chakdah & Haringhata blocks of Nadia district of West Bengal with an aim to explore the nature of attitude of parents and teachers toward the scheme "Kanyashree - Prakalpa".

METHODOLOGY

Present study was a descriptive exploratory research through the strategy of attitude survey that intended to seek out the answers of the following research questions: ● What is the attitude of parents as stakeholders of "Kanyashree - Prakalpa"? ● What is the attitude of teachers as one of the implementers of "Kanyashree - Prakalpa"? ● Does attitudinal differences exist among stakeholders due to some social stratification? ● If so, how?

The sample of the study comprised of 130 respondants and was divided into fathers (N = 45), mothers (N = 45) and teachers (N = 40). The sample was selected purposively from Chakdah & Haringhata blocks of Nadia district of West Bengal and was further stratified according to their educational background and religious belongingness. These demographic characteristics acted as independent variables where as their attitude toward "Kanyashree - Prakalpa" was the dependable variable for this study.

The researcher as trained interviewer explained to the participant parents and teachers the purpose of the study, its significance and what was expected from them and requested them to interact on the questions. Participants were assured about the confidentiality of study data and informed that they would be asked questions related to their attitude towards ―Kanyashree Prakalpa‖. On receiving the signed consent form, the data were collected using a structured interview. The participant was asked about their attitude towards ―Kanyashree Prakalpa” (10 items). The survey also collected information about demographic characteristics of the participant (name, address, working status, level of education, religion). The demographic information was obtained from an investigator developed subject profile.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table-1 Shows the percentage of respondents with attitude of the Father (N= 45), Mother (N= 45) and teacher (N= 40) towards Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme. It indicates that attitude towards Kanyashree Prakalpa was widespread.

Positive Govt. Policy 97% 71% 48% Solution of Economic problem

57% 46% 33%

Necessary in regard to increase Socio-economic status

93% 88% 63%

Beneficial effect on family 88% 77% 55% Resisting Childhood marriage

82% 57% 35%

Literacy drive among girls 73% 64% 30%

early marriage Education of early marriage 45% 40% 18% Encouraging the girls for education

88% 77% 30%

Increasing of girls education rate

93% 77% 45%

From the above table (table 1), it was found that Positive Govt. Policy Most of the fathers‘ expressed positive attitude. Majority of the mothers‘ expressed positive attitude. However, teachers‘ attitude was not so positive. Solution of Economic problem Respondent group‘s attitude was negative, only fathers‘ expressed positive attitude. Necessary in regard to increase Socio-economic status Respondent group‘s attitude was much positive. Beneficial effect on family Respondent group‘s attitude was much positive. Resisting Childhood marriage Most of the fathers‘ expressed positive attitude. Majority of the mothers‘ expressed positive attitude. However, teachers‘ attitude was not so positive. Literacy drive among girls Most of the fathers‘ expressed positive attitude. Majority of the mothers‘ expressed positive attitude. However, teachers‘ attitude was not so positive. Preferable to early marriage Respondent group‘s attitude was negative, only teachers‘ expressed positive attitude. Education of early marriage Respondent group‘s attitude was not much positive. Encouraging the girls for education Most of the fathers‘ expressed positive attitude. Majority of the mothers‘ expressed positive attitude. However, teachers‘ attitude was not so positive.

Increasing of girls education rate Most of the fathers‘ expressed positive attitude. Majority of the mothers‘ expressed positive attitude. However, teachers‘ attitude was not so positive.

20) and Illiterate Mother (N= 16) towards Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme. It indicates that attitude towards Kanyashree Prakalpa was widespread.

Positive Govt. Policy 100% 62.5% Solution of Economic problem 55% 37.5% Necessary in regard to increase Socio-economic status

90% 70%

Beneficial effect on family 85% 55% Resisting Childhood marriage 70% 50% Literacy drive among girls 70% 50% Preferable to early marriage 75% 93.75% Education of early marriage 55% 25% Encouraging the girls for education 85% 75% Increasing of girls education rate 90% 93.75%

From the above table (table 2), it was found that Positive Govt. Policy Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude towards this govt. policy was positive Solution of Economic problem Fathers‘ attitude was positive, while mothers‘ attitude was negative. Necessary in regard to increase Socio-economic status Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Beneficial effect on family Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Resisting Childhood marriage Majority of fathers‘ attitude was positive, but 50% mothers‘ attitude was positive and remaining 50% mothers‘ attitude was negative. Literacy drive among girls Majority of fathers‘ attitude was positive, but 50% mothers‘ attitude was positive and remaining 50% mothers‘ attitude was

Education of early marriage Fathers‘ attitude was positive, while mothers‘ attitude was negative. Encouraging the girls for education Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Increasing of girls education rate Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was very much positive

Table-3 Shows the attitude of the Literate Father (N= 25) and Literate Mother (N= 29) towards Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme. It indicates that attitude towards ―Kanyashree Prakalpa‖ was widespread.

Positive Govt. Policy 92% 75.8% Solution of Economic problem 60% 51.7% Necessary in regard to increase Socio-economic status

96% 89.7%

Beneficial effect on family 92% 82.7% Resisting Childhood marriage 92% 62.06% Literacy drive among girls 76% 72.4% Preferable to early marriage 96% 93.1% Education of early marriage 56% 48.27% Encouraging the girls for education 92% 79.3% Increasing of girls education rate 96% 75.86%

From the above table (table 3), it was found that Positive Govt. Policy Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Solution of Economic problem Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Necessary in regard to increase Socio-economic status Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Beneficial effect on family Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Resisting Childhood marriage Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Literacy drive among girls Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Preferable to early marriage Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was

marriage positive, while mothers‘ attitude was negative. Encouraging the girls for education Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Increasing of girls education rate Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive

Table-4 Shows the attitude of the Hindu Father (N= 22) and Hindu Mother (N= 22) towards Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme. It indicates that attitude towards Kanyashree Prakalpa was widespread.

Positive Govt. Policy 95% 77% Solution of Economic problem 68% 59% Necessary in regard to increase Socio-economic status

100% 100%

Beneficial effect on family 90% 90% Resisting Childhood marriage 86% 73% Literacy drive among girls 68% 68% Preferable to early marriage 100% 100% Education of early marriage 41% 73% Encouraging the girls for education 90% 82% Increasing of girls education rate 90% 82%

From the above table (table 4), it was found that Positive Govt. Policy Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Solution of Economic problem Both father and mothers‘ attitude was positive Necessary in regard to increase Socio-economic status Both fathers‘ and mother‘s attitude was highly positive Beneficial effect on family Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was quite highly positive Resisting Childhood marriage Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive

girls mothers‘ attitude was positive Preferable to early marriage Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was highly positive Education of early marriage Though fathers‘ attitude was negative but mothers‘ attitude was positive. Encouraging the girls for education Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Increasing of girls education rate Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive

Table-5 Shows the distribution percentage of respondents with attitude of the Muslim Father (N= 23) and Muslim Mother (N= 23) towards Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme. It indicates that attitude towards Kanyashree Prakalpa was widespread.

Positive Govt. Policy 96% 65% Solution of Economic problem 48% 35% Necessary in regard to increase Socio-economic status

87% 78%

Beneficial effect on family 87% 65% Resisting Childhood marriage 78% 43% Literacy drive among girls 78% 61% Preferable to early marriage 74% 87% Education of early marriage 70% 78% Encouraging the girls for education 87% 74% Increasing of girls education rate 96% 83%

From the above table (table 5), it was found that Positive Govt. Policy Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Solution of Economic problem Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was negative Necessary in regard Both father and economic status was positive Beneficial effect on family Both father and mother‘s attitude was positive Resisting Childhood marriage Though fathers‘ attitude was positive but mothers‘ attitude was negative. Literacy drive among girls Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Preferable to early marriage Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Education of early marriage Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive

Encouraging the girls for education Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive Increasing of girls education rate Both fathers‘ and mothers‘ attitude was positive

From the above table (table 5), it was found that Positive Govt. Policy All the respondents‘ attitude was positive Solution of Economic problem All the respondent group‘s attitude was positive, except Muslim literate mothers‘, Muslin illiterate fathers‘ and Muslim illiterate mothers‘ group Necessary in regard to increase All the respondents‘ attitude was positive

eneficial effect on family All the respondents‘ attitude was positive Resisting Childhood marriage All the respondents‘ attitude was positive, where as only 50% Muslim literate mothers‘ attitude was positive and remaining 50% Muslim mothers‘ attitude was negative Literacy drive among girls The entire respondents‘ attitude was positive, but only Hindu illiterate mothers‘ attitude was negative. Preferable to early marriage All the respondents‘ attitude was highly positive Education of early marriage The entire Hindu group and Muslim illiterate mothers‘ group‘s attitude was negative, where the entire Muslim group, except Muslim illiterate mothers‘ group‘s attitude was positive. Encouraging the girls for education All the respondents‘ attitude was positive Increasing of girls education rate All the respondents‘ attitude was positive

Kanyashree Prakalpa is an important step taken by the Govt. of West Bengal to uplift the condition of the women in the state. The most important finding of the present research is all the participants supported and appreciated this scheme. Interestingly, the secondary school teachers are not very much optimistic about this scheme. Due to economic problem most of the families are forced to discontinue the study of the girl child. Through this scheme, this problem may be solved to some extent. Most of the respondents supported it, except Muslim literate mother, Muslim illiterate father and Muslim illiterate mothers‘ group. Even regarding this point the secondary teaching community of Nadia district is pessimist in their outlook. The necessity in regard to increase Socio-economic status is also very important. Here all the participants including the teaching community‘s attitude is positive. There is no doubt that one time grant helps not only the girl child, but this grant helps the family a lot. In the present research it is quite clear. The entire participants‘ attitude was positive regarding this financial help. from early childhood marriage. All the participants‘ attitude towards this is positive. The present literacy rate of the country is 74.04%. Male literacy rate is almost 85% and female literacy rate is nearly 65%. (Census2011). The country will not be able to prosper without proper female literacy. Regarding this point the entire participants‘ attitude was positive, but only Hindu illiterate mothers‘ attitude was negative. As stated previously, the early childhood marriage of the girl child is mainly due to poor economic condition of the family. If the family gets any financial help they may abstain from early childhood marriage. It is true that this scheme can not remove poverty at all and this thing is supported by the entire participant. Very few participants agreed that through this scheme early childhood marriage can be stopped. The entire Hindu group and Muslim illiterate mothers‘ group‘s attitude was negative, whereas the entire Muslim group, except Muslim illiterate mothers‘ group‘s attitude was positive. The entire participants‘ attitude was positive regarding the encouragement of the girl child education. And last but not the least, all the participants agreed positively regarding the increase of female literacy rate as well as girl education.

Kanyashree Prakalpa is a scheme which visualizes women empowerment through women education. In the present research the attitude of the parents has been measured. The findings were sometimes very much optimistic, sometime it is not very satisfactory. One thing is clear that parents are conscious and worried about the future of their girl child. It is mainly due to financial problem that they married off their girl child before ‗proper time‘. The present research is limited only to the two blocks of Nadia district of West Bengal and the sample size is also not very big. In future, such type of research may be conducted in other districts with more samples, even the research may be conducted state wise. From this point of view, this research is a pioneer one in this field.

Census (2011). Government of India, Ministry of home affairs, office of the Registrar & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved from

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Research Scholar, Department of Education, University of Kalyani, W.B