A team at the University of Allahabad will investigate how geographic and climatic factors shape the success of girls’ education initiatives in Prayagraj, following a new grant from the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). The project, led by Dr Koyal Paul of the Department of Geography, will focus on the central government campaign Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and related programmes to understand which local barriers undermine their impact.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao India study to assess geographic and climate impacts
The research will analyse the effects of extreme heat, flooding, irregular rainfall and difficult terrain on girls’ access to schooling. Investigators will combine field surveys with spatial analysis and climate data to build a detailed picture of how physical environment and social structures interact to affect enrolment and retention.
As part of the work, the team will carry out assessments of school infrastructure to determine how well buildings and facilities withstand climate stresses and whether they remain usable during extreme events. The aim is to identify whether schools in vulnerable locations require upgrades to remain operational and safe for girls.
Researchers will also map the distribution of government schemes and examine how Beti Bachao Beti Padhao interacts with other programmes on the ground. The study seeks to find whether combining interventions improves outcomes and which package of measures works best in differing geographic contexts, from flood-prone plains to remote uplands.
Methodology will include household and school surveys, focus group discussions with community members, and geographic information system (GIS) mapping of risk areas. Climate records and recent weather trends will be used to gauge how changing conditions may alter access to education over time. The multidisciplinary approach aims to produce evidence that local administrations and policymakers can use to design tailored solutions.
Expected policy recommendations include targeted investments in resilient school infrastructure, context-specific outreach to tackle social barriers, and adjustments to programme delivery in areas affected by climate extremes. The researchers anticipate that better alignment of schemes will help increase girls’ enrolment, reduce dropouts and tackle gender disparities in education.
Local collaboration is central to the project. The team plans to work with district education officials, school leaders and community groups to ensure findings translate into practical measures. By identifying region-specific obstacles and enablers, the study aims to provide actionable guidance that can be scaled across similar districts.
Officials and education experts have increasingly highlighted the need to factor environmental risks into social policy. This ICSSR-backed study in Prayagraj represents an effort to ground national campaigns in local realities, helping to ensure that investments in girls’ education deliver sustained results even as climatic pressures grow.
The project is expected to run over the coming months, producing interim findings that could inform immediate adjustments as well as a final report with recommendations for state and national policymakers. If implemented, the study’s measures could strengthen the resilience of education programmes and contribute to improved gender equality in the region.
Key Takeaways:
- ICSSR funds a Prayagraj study to assess how geography and climate affect Beti Bachao Beti Padhao India outcomes.
- Research will map extreme heat, floods, irregular rainfall and remote terrain and evaluate school infrastructure resilience.
- Study will examine links between BBBP and other government schemes to recommend location-specific interventions.
- Expected results include higher enrolment, improved gender equality and targeted policy recommendations.
