Students in India UNESCO: Girls are once again falling behind in math Culture and Education
Gender inequality in mathematics achievement, which has been declining in recent years, has begun to rise again. This is stated in a new analytical review published by UNESCO jointly with the International Association for the Assessment of Educational Achievement.
The report’s authors emphasize that the share of girls among students falling behind in mathematics is increasing. This trend is especially noticeable in the last grades of primary school, although it continues in the middle grades. For example, in 2023, in 81 percent of educational systems studied, boys were significantly ahead of girls in fourth grade math.
This statistic is especially alarming because math opens the door to careers in science, technology, and engineering. Today, women make up only 36 percent of technology graduates, a figure that has remained virtually unchanged over the past decade.
Experts note that the reasons for inequality have nothing to do with girls’ abilities: the situation is influenced by gender stereotypes, teacher expectations, classroom and school climate, and girls’ lack of confidence in their abilities. forces.
UNESCO calls for immediate action. Among the key tasks, experts highlight increasing girls’ confidence in their mathematical abilities, appropriate teacher training, the need to collect statistical data disaggregated by gender, and combating stereotypes.