Naziya Naaz, 17, like many of her fellow students in class 12 at the Government Girls' Senior Secondary School, can't turn on a computer or speak much English.  The broken English she does know came not from school but a two-month-long free training programme at a private institute. 

Naziya's 14-year-old brother, Salman Raza, does not have these problems.  He can speak decent English and feels at ease using a computer.  Salman, unlike Naziya, goes to a private school. 

Reena Jha, 17, one of Naziya's classmates, faces the same situation.  Her youngest brother, Shivam Jha, 11, also goes to a private school. 

Reena's been the butt of jokes as a result. " Till a few years ago, I used to take a mat to school, as we did not have chairs to sit on," said Reena. " He used to tease me by saying, 'Tum bora leke school jati ho' (you take a mat to school)." 

Shivam never had to take a mat to KSK Academy, where classrooms have fans, boards, projectors, and the right number of desks and chairs. 

In Delhi, it's typical for families to send their girls to government schools they think are dysfunctional while sending their boys to private schools they think prepare the way for success.  In the last four years, Delhi government schools have been 52% female and 48% male, while private schools citywide have been 60% male and 40% female. 

At the pahadi school, as Naziya and Reena's school is known locally, the student body is 64% female.  Yet according to census data, Naziya and Reena's neighbourhood, Sangam Viharm, is only 46% female. 

Interviews with families in Sangam Vihar and experts in the Indian education system showed that all sorts of difficult financial circumstances usually lead to the same conclusion: gender discrimination in schooling. 

Much like many families in Delhi that favour sons over daughters, Naziya goes to a government school, her younger brother goes to a private school. 

"Private schools are English-medium and give better education," said Lalita Devi, Reena's mother. " That is why I send my son to the private school.  His school has teachers for all subjects and facilities such as computer labs." 

But then why does Reena go to a government school? 

"It was due to financial constraints that I had to send her to a government school," Devi said. " If I had the money, I would have sent her to a private school too." 

It's the same for Naziya, whose parents say giving her a quality education would be unaffordable even while they send their son to a private school. 

"Due to financial constraints, I sent my daughters to a government school," said Aasma, Naziya's mother. " But my son is younger and by the time I had to send him to a school, my financial situation was a little better, so I put him in a private school." 

Naziya, however, subscribes to another explanation. " Of course it is because of gender-based discrimination," she said. " Parents think that a girl will go to a different family after marriage but the son will remain with them, so they prefer to educate him better." 

Reena helps her brother get ready for his relatively expensive private school. 

An extra burden

Naziya is certainly correct about Reena's mother. 

"I love my daughter and I want the best for her.  But this is how the society works," said Devi. " When my daughter is married, I cannot depend on her, but my son will be answerable to me and will have to take care of me." 

Devi said that she needs to save for Reena's wedding, and spending on private education would be an extra burden. 

What about marriage expenses for their son? " I have no tension about him.  He is a boy," Devi said. 

Devi's plans for her children's future fit conveniently with her conception of what would be best for them now. 

"My son is too young right now and very naughty," she said. " I don't know what will become of him.  But my daughter is really bright and I know she can do well even if her school doesn't have as many facilities." 

Asked about her mother's views, Reena was reminded about past encounters with sexism.  She recalled how her elder sister, who is married, had to struggle with her in-laws to get permission to come visit them when her father had a brain haemorrhage. 

"This needs to change, but as of now it is the reality of our society," Reena said.