ABSTRACT
The most salient development is the rise of the for-profit private sector in higher education, which offers academic programmes and subjects in response to market demand. There is a difference between government or state and private schools which demonstrates that girls in state coeducational schools are much less likely than boys to study physics. Globalisation is accompanied by an increased focus on techno sciences that have social and equity implications because the disadvantaged groups, the marginalised, the minorities, and women are less likely to be involved in those areas which are frontrunners in the new economy and the market. There is no doubt that access has increased for women and is reflected in the higher enrolment, gross enrolment ratio (GER), number of higher education institutions, and proportions of women in new professional subjects that are applied and market-driven.
