Appointments in Institutions of Higher Education: All India Higher Education Survey 2018-19 busts another myth of gender parity in north-eastern states

Recently published All India Higher Education Survey 2018-19 reveals huge gender gap in appointment of Professors in North-eastern states. Arunachal Pradesh tops the list of disparity with male professors accounting for 86.11 per cent against 13.89 per cent female professors in the state. Tripura occupies in the second position with male professors accounting for 80.79 per cent against 19.21 per cent female professors. Among all these eight states, Nagaland has the highest percentage of female professors with 30.77 per cent against 69.23 male professors and Meghalaya marginally behind it with female professors accounting for 30.05 per cent against 69.95 per cent male professors. Percentage break up for Assam, Manipur and Sikkim are: Assam- male- 77.40, female- 22.60, Manipur- male 72.89, female- 27.11 and Sikkim- male- 75.40, female- 24.60.

State and post-wise number of male –female teacher: All India Higher Education Survey, 2018-19

State and post-wise number of male –female teacher: All India Higher Education Survey, 2018-19

The data, however, show that in respect of appointment of Reader/Associate Professors, Meghalaya and Nagaland have marginally higher percentage of females compared to males. Meghalaya has 51.81 per cent female Reader/Associate Professors while males account for 48.19 per cent. In Nagaland, females account for 50.53 and males accounts for 49.47 in this category. Arunachal Pradesh tops the list of disparity in this category too with males accounting for 76.65 per cent against 23.35 per cent females. The percentage break-up in rest of the states are as follows: Assam- 64.34 (male), 36.66 (female), Manipur - 55.91(male), 44.09 (female), Sikkim- 70.70 (male), 29.30 (female) and Tripura- 66.81 (male) and 33.19 (female). Data relating to Lecturer/Assistant Professor also reflect a similar scenario.

State and post-wise number of male –female teacher: All India Higher Education Survey, 2018-19

Assam Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya distributing the Appointment Letters to the newly appointed Post Graduate Teachers in Provincialised Higher Secondary Schools at Directorate of Higher Education, Kahilipara on 3^rd January, 2019. (Photo -Janasanyag Assam)