Are gender patterns in educational performance a matter for concern? True, girls are definitely doing much better than boys, especially in the Tenth and Twelfth Standard Exams. This situation is not isolated to Tamil nadu or to India. Such disparities in examination performance have been reported in Australia, England, New Zealand and in several other countries.

Are girls better learners? Or is it because most of the teachers are from the fair sex? Or is it because mothers take more interest in the studies of their daughters than their sons? Or is it because girls work harder than the boys? Or is it because of a combination of all these?

The last reason, though apparently possible would suggest that the girls fair better because of their hard work and not because of their brilliance. Nobody is going to accept this view. Let's not undermine the potential of the boys either.

An Australian research had found that teenage girls are more susceptible to exam stress than their male classmates. A larger per cent of the girls reported very high levels of psychological stress, compared to boys. Girls have a tendency to under-sleep, especially in nights close to the exams.

They have also a stronger element of fear � fear of failure, whereas their male classmates take it easy.

Some psychologists feel that failed girls would find it more difficult to face their own family members, let alone the world, than the boys.

These are only results of studies. The fact remains that the girls are brilliant, hard-working, highly organised and methodical and last, but not the least, better focused. They deserve a higher percentage.

Let's not forget: When you educate a man, you educate an individual but when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.