CONTRIBUTION OF SAVITRIBAI PHULE FOR

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND WOMEN EDUCATION

IN MODERN INDIA

A
DISSERTATION
SUBMITTED TO
THE PANJAB UNIVERSITY, CHANDIGARH

IN PARTIAL FULLFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

THE DEGREE OF

MASTER OF EDUCATION
Session (2019-2021)

BY
RUCHITA SAXENA

DEV SAMAJ COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

SECTOR-36 CHANDIGARH
 ACKNOWEDGEMENT
This dissertation is a synergistic product of many minds. I am grateful
for the inspiration and wisdom of many thinkers who helped me in this
work and encouraged me for the same.
First of all, I would like to express my profound gratitude to the
Almighty God for His blessings, which provided me the inner strength
to complete the most challenging job
I am highly indebted to Dr. (Mrs.) Kamini Gupta, Librarian, Dev
Samaj College of Education, Sector 36-B, Chandigarh, for her valuable
guidance. She gave me ungrudgingly throughout the conduct of this
investigation. I feel a deep sense of inspiration and encouragement for
study.
I am extremely grateful to Dr. (Mrs.) Agnese Dhillon, Principal,
Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36-B, Chandigarh for her
motivation and facilities provided for my study.
I am very thankful to the library staff of the college for extending
their gracious help during study.
Last but not the least, my acknowledgements are due to all the
authors whose works I have consulted and referred in my dissertation.

Ruchita Saxena
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Ruchita Saxena has undertaken the study entitled
"Contribution of savitribai Phule for women empowerment and women education
in modern India" under my guidance in partial fulfillment of her degree in M. Ed.
during the session 2019-2021.

Date: Dr. (Mrs.) Kamini Gupta

Place: Librarian
Dev Samaj College of Education,
Sector 36-B, Chandigarh
 CONTENTS

SR. No. TITLE PAGE NO.

CHAPTER I INTRODCUTION

1.1 Meaning of education

1.2 Definition of education
1.3 Aim of education
1.4 Emergence of The problem
1.5 Objective of the women education
1.6 Title of the study
1.7 Need of women education
1.8 Problem in women education
1.9 Procedure of the study
1.10 Delimitation of study

CHAPTER II LIFE SKETCH OF SAVITRIBAI PHULE

1.1 Birth
1.2 History
1.3 Savitribai phule as an educational reformer
1.4 Savitribai phule as a social activist
 CHAPTER –I

INTRODUCTION
 INTRODUCTION

Education is an important issue in one’s life. Life is the key to success in the future
and to have many opportunities in our life. Education has many advantages for
people. For instants, it illuminates a person’s mind and thinking. Having education
in an area helps people think, feel, and behave in the way that contributes to
their success, and improves not only their personal satisfaction but also their
community. In addition, education develops human personality, thoughts dealing
with others and prepares people for life experiences. It makes people have a
special status on their society and everywhere they live in.

Education is the basis for development and empowerment for every nation. It
plays vital role in understanding and participating significant role in transmitting
one’s culture, belief and values to others in society. It helps in creating innovation
and meeting in growing need of every nation. The nation has developed through a
well-defined system of education. Education is crucial factor, without which the
nation can hardly develop.

According to Edward Throngs, "Education is the transmission of life by the living

to the living." Education is a dynamic process; it is a lifelong process. Education is
considered to be a process which contributes to the natural and harmonious
development of man's innate powers, brings about complete development of his
individuality, results into desirable behavior changes and ultimately prepares him
for good life.

Education has been defined by many educationists, philosophers and authors.

Education is considered the most significant activity in any society.

Aristotle’s view- Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.

 According to Swami Vivekananda, Education is the manifestation of divine
perfection already existing in man.

According to Tagore, Education enables the mind to find out the ultimate truth,
which gives us the wealth of inner light and love and gives significance to life.

Great people become great because of their unique thoughts and their unique
work for the welfare of the society. Many great people worked very hard for the
society and the nation. For women education, respect and the values of the
women in 18th century, Savitribai Phule ‟s contribution has made an evergreen
mark and lasting impression on the historic pages of Indian women as a female
empowerment crusader. She served as a messiah for all the female servants at
the time, when India was riddled with Women’s outraged modesty.

Savitribai Phule was a trailblazer in providing education for girls and for ostracized
portions of the society in India. She dared to pursue the Nobel Profession of
teaching in the „Dark Age‟ and became first school for females in India. She not
only fought for the right to education, but for the right to dignity for widows,
unwed mothers and women with unwanted pregnancies. In the Nineteenth
Century, her work was revolutionary. It is indeed a measure of the ruthlessness of
elite controlled knowledge production that a figure as important as Savitribai
Phule fails to find any mention in the history of modern India.

Her life and struggle deserve to be appreciated by wider spectrum and

made known to non-Marathi people as well as others not in India but in the
world. Savitribai Phule worked on women empowerment, cast discrimination and
women liberation.

1.1 Meaning of education:

The word „education‟ comes from the Latin words educare,
educere and educatum, which mean to lead out. It is indeed,
difficult to define education. Education is a relentless process of
becoming. To the human being educate and to the animal we
 train. In technical sense, education is a process, by which society
deliberately transmits its accumulated knowledge, skills and
values from one generation to another.

Education is the most powerful weapon. We can use to it

change the world. True education is beyond earning degrees it is
more than bookish knowledge. Education means inculcating
moral values, positive thinking, and attitude of helping, attitude of
giving to society and ethical values these kinds of students are
only able to bring changes in society. They will become good
citizen of country and most important one good human being
such students are able to discover something new, out breaking.
They will surely become successful in their life. It happens
educated in true sense when if they are.
Education is lifelong process. It is never ending It starts with
the birth of an individual and then it goes on till the last day of his
life. It makes him a real human being Education equips the
individual with social and spiritual aspects and thus makes life
progressive, cultured and civilized. In short education is the
development of individual according to needs and demands of
society.

1.2 Definition of education:

Education is derived from the Latin word "educatio which means to bring
up"1 but what does that tell us. It says to me that education is training
not learning. Education has been defined by many educationists,
philosophers and authors. It is a word we hear very familiar in everyday life,
because education is considered the most significant activity in any society.
  Education is defined as the process of gaining knowledge.
 The knowledge or skill obtained or developed by a learning process.
 Teaching concepts and perspectives. Computer education includes
computer systems and information systems. Contrast with training.
 The field of study that is concerned with the pedagogy of teaching
and learning.
 The act or process of educating or being educated.

Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of

knowledge, skills, values, morals, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods
include teaching, training, storytelling, discussion and directed research.
Education frequently takes place under the guidance of educators; however
learners can also educate themselves. Education can take place in formal or
informal settings and any experience that has a formative effect on the way
one thinks, feels, or acts may be considered educational. The methodology
of teaching is called pedagogy.

According to John Dewey, “Education is all one with growing; it has no end
beyond itself. Education is everything along with growth; education itself
has no final destination behind him”.

According to H.H Horne, “In the broadest sense, education is the device by
which a social group continued existence renew yourself, and defend his
ideas”.

According to Kautilya,”Education means training for the country and love

for the nation”.

According to Dayananda,”Education is a means for character formation and

righteous living”.

According to Aurobindo,”Education means helping the growing soul to

draw out that is in itself”.
 According to Tagore,” Education enables the mind to find out the ultimate
truth, which gives us the wealth of inner light and love and gives
significance to life”.

1.3 AIM OF EDUCATION

The process of education has all along been discussed in terms of its aims.
The importance of aims in Education has been emphasized by scholars,
philosophers and educators through all ages. Education must have aims as
“activity with an aim is all one with acting intelligently”.
This means a system of education which is not clear about its aims or which
works towards undesirable ends is bound to fail.

1. Aims give direction to the activity

Education is a planned activity. The activity is planned with certain ends in
view. The aim as a foreseen end gives direction to the activity of education.
2. Aims help in acting intelligently
“Activity with an aim.” says John Dewey “is all one with acting intelligently”.
Thus by keeping the aims in view, one knows what one is doing and why one
is doing it. This saves waste of time and effort.

3. Aims are necessary to assess the outcomes of the educative process.

“In this sense, aims help in measuring the success and failure of work done in
school”.

4. Necessary for efficient school administration

“Aims are necessary for efficient school management. They help in proper
selection of teachers, proper curriculum planning, proper equipment of
library, desirable planning of curricular and co-curricular activities, etc”.

5. Useful for parents and general public

 “Aims are useful for parents in the sense that they put check on their undue
criticism of the school system. The society reviews and appreciates the work
of the school in terms of aims. In a democratic society, this assumes much
greater importance.”

5. Useful for parents and general public

“Aims are useful for parents in the sense that they put check on their undue
criticism of the school system. The society reviews and appreciates the work
of the school in terms of aims. In a democratic society, this assumes much
greater importance”.

6. Acting with meaning.

Highlighting the importance of educational aims, John Dewey says: “… to have
an aim is to act with meaning, not like an automatic machine: it is to do
something and perceive the meaning of things in the light of that intent.”

7. Aims give continuity and significance to education

“Education is a process. It is a continuous process. Any one act or single
experience does not by itself constitute education. It is neither a mere serial
aggregate of facts. Education has an intrinsic continuity. “It is; the aim that
gives continuity and significance to the series of events I and experiences that
make up what we call education”.

1.4 Emergence of The problem

Education is the process that liberates the mind. It is liberation from all forms
of darkness and ignorance. Women's literacy is essential for economic
viability and independence. Acquisition of knowledge is one of the
prerequisites of human development. Today all development agencies agree
on the importance of educating women in order to promote and maintain
 family education, health, nutrition and general well-being. The aim of
education should be to train women in such a way that they apply their
acquired knowledge to the pursuits of daily life and fit them for the position
they have to fill. Education for women should always be directed towards
their holistic development. Education enhances a woman's sense of her own
health needs and perspectives and her power to make any health and family
planning decisions. This in turn, helps to reduce child and maternal mortality
and morbidity rates. The increase in the education of women and girls
contributes to greater empowerment of women, to a postponement of the
age of marriage and to a reduction in the size of the families.

After the long study of great philosophers like Dayanand, Ravindra Nath
Tagore, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul kalam, Aristotle and Pluto, etc. Played for the
education and mankind, like in 19th century savitribai Phule played a vital role
for women and women empowerment.

Savitribai Jyotirao Phule was a prominent Indian social reformer, educationist

and poet who played an instrumental role in women education and
empowerment during the nineteenth century. She took great effort towards
educating and emancipating child widows, campaigned against child marriage
and sati pratha, and advocated for widow remarriage.

1.5 Objective of the women education

 To promote the education and the development of girls.
 To undertake and promote research in the area of girls education and
 Development.
 To develop and apply concepts and methods of women studies.
 To suitably intervene in the area of policy planning, curriculum, and
teacher
 Education, for removing gender bias and disparities.
 To act as a national resource center on girls education and
development.
  To provide consultancy services in the areas of girls education and
development
 Educating women results in promoting self-respect and also helps in
raising the status of women.
 An educated woman will be aware of her rights. She can fight against
social evils such as domestic violence, dowry demand, low wages
 Evolve strategy to overcome gender discrimination.
 Building a positive image of girl.
 Enhancing self-esteem and self-confidence of girl.

1.6 Title of the study

Contribution of savitribai Phule for women empowerment and women
education in modern India

1.7 Need of women education

The need and importance of women’s education in India based on
the views of the Indian educationist, philosophers and political
leaders.
 The cooperation of women is necessary for the progress and
prosperity of the country.
 An educated woman produces an educated family and an
educated society.
 An educated woman makes the home happy and healthy.
 An educated woman can mitigate the economic difficulties of the
family.
 An educated woman can help in removing social evils, and save
the society from old beliefs and customs which adversely affect
the progress of the society.
  Swami Vivekananda says no expectation of the progress of a
family or a country can be achieved where women are not
educated, and are leading a pitiable life and welfare of the
country is not possible until the condition of women is improved.
Therefore their educational uplift is of utmost important.

1.8 Problem in women education

The problems of women illiteracy has also been enhanced due to low
enrolment and high dropout rates among girls who enter the formal system
of education. The dropout rate among girls, particularly those, who live in
rural areas, continuous to be very high. In the light of these facts, major
reasons for low literacy rate among women are listed below

 Early marriage and dowry. B. Reluctance to send girls out of the house after
puberty.

 High intensity of poverty and parent's inability, to bear educational

expenses. D. Lack of access of schools. E Shortage of women teachers.

 Lack of infrastructure facilities which lead to low enrolment and large

dropouts.

 Need for girls to help in the farms or family occupation or household chores
or responsibility of looking after younger siblings.

 Most parents believe that education is good for girls, but many parents,
especially among the poor, do not send their daughters to school.

1.9 Procedure of the study

It is philosophical study. For this, the investigator collected various sources
and studies to comprehend the educational thoughts of Savitribai phule.
 Besides this, other relevant work and composition on Savitribai phule by
various thinkers, authors and research work were studied to have a valid and
reliable material.

1.10 Delimitation of study

The present study on Savitribai Phule would be restricted only to his educational
thought and contribution; the investigator will try to collect relevant matter of
study from his general philosophy of life and related works done.
 CHAPTER –II

LIFE SKETCH OF SAVITRIBA

PHULE
2.1 Birth
Savitribai Phule is considered to be one of the pioneers of the feminist
movement in India. She started the first-ever school for girls in the country
in 1848 at Bhide Wada, Pune. Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule was born on
January 3, 1831, in a village called Naigaon in the Satara district, about
50km from Pune, Maharashtra. She was a feminist and social reformer who
fought for women’s empowerment and education in India.

2.2 History
Savitribai Phule was a prominent Indian social reformer, educationalist and
poet, who played key role in improving women’s rights in India during the
British rule, aside her husband Jyotirao Phule – another famous social
reformer. She vigorously fought and raised her voice
against society’s ignorant, archaic and barbaric empowerment, Savitribai
Phule‟s contribution in the field of education has left evergreen mark on
India‟s historical pages. At the time when India was plagued with women’s
outraged modesty, she acted as a messiah for all those women who were
living a life of servitude. Savitribai Phule was born in Naigaon village in
Sahara District to her mother Laxmibai and father Khandoji Navsepatil on
3rd January 1831. She was the only daughter of the poor-low caste family
and had three younger brothers. Her father, a peasant, had limited means,
but was a respectable man in the village. This was a time, when educating a
girl was frowned upon and Savitribai was never sent to school. She
Spent most of her childhood at home and helping her mother with
household chores. Savitribai Phule got married at very young age to
Jyotirao Phule. He was regarded as one of the most important figures in the
Social Reform Movement in Maharashtra and under his strong influence;
she too got attracted to social reform movement. Savitribai’s first teacher
Was her husband. Jyotirao Phule began to informally teach her at home
and after a few years got support from his friends to continue her
education. After six years of rigorous home tuition, she along with another
young woman Fatima Sheik sent her to Mrs. Mitchell’s school at Pune. Soon
after she moved to Ms. Farrar’s Institution run by an American missionary
in Ahmed nagar and she was trained as a teacher.