What we Teach our Children: Gender Sensitivity within the Indian Curriculum (original) (raw)
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MAKING THE INDIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM GENDER SENSITIVE
Gender inequality is an issue that is prevalent across the globe today. In particular, India is amongst those that rank rather low in the attainment of gender equality and parity. This paper aims to provide provisions for a gender sensitive educational system by discussing the nuances of gender inequality. Moreover, it also discusses why it is necessary to bring about changes in the current educational system for a more gender sensitive society. In order to come up with approaches that would help with this process, relevant literature has been reviewed to ensure incorporation of a wider range of strategies to provide a gender sensitive learning environment. Gender disparity in literacy rates in India has been examined, and changes in the curriculum, extra-curricular activities, training for teachers, vocational training, etc. have been recommended. Constant monitoring of these practices and evaluation would maximise the benefits of an altered, more responsive system of Indian education. Attaining gender parity in education will not only build more considerate adults, but it is an important aspect of inclusive education. One can hope that it will prove to be helpful in educating students about issues related to the LGBTQ and transgender populations, and adding to a better and kinder society.
1985
is more important, if there can be any comparison, for the women of a nation to be educated-than its men. One of the truest measures of a nation's advancement is the state of its women ... "
Gender Biased in the Textbook of West Bengal Board of Primary Education: A Content Analysis
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The word gender came from Greek word Genus. Gender bias means a tendency to believe that some people better than others that usually result in treating some people unfairly. Curriculum is the main rootof action that can confirm the supply of effective and efficient human resource for the development of a nation and a progressive society. It helps to generate and to promote among the children’s language ability of listening, speaking, reading, writing, thinking, values, creativity and communication skill for social living .Text books are the direct real and particular manifestation of curriculum.Primary education is the first stage of child education and it is the first introduction to mental deployments and socialization of child. Webelieve a child’s mental growth starts since their childhood. Cooperation helps boys and girls to grow themselves up with mutual helps, involvement and contributions. This time helps them to grow biasfree, cooperative attitudes.This helps them to be a gr...
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Gender discrimination is one of the serious issues in today's world. The predominant literature on the subject of gender has succeeded in portraying women as the target of such types of discrimination. It can be seen everywhere in the society be it public or private sphere. In fact, school is one of the important agents of gender socialization which plays a significant role in shaping the gender roles of school children. Thus, the practice and promotion of gender discrimination in school curriculum and textbooks through projection of gender biased roles and professions both in the public and private spheres have severe consequences in the society at large. It negatively encourages both girls and boys to take up the stereotypical positions constructed for them by these teaching aids. In this context, the study critically examines and analyzes the pictures and the language shown in the posters and charts that have been used in schools as one of the important teaching aids for centuries. The posters, charts and the other teaching materials both in Hindi and English medium were selected and reviewed for the study. Identifying gender biased language, gender stereotyping and construction of gender roles are central to the study. The study observes that still the existing new teaching aids are showing gender inequalities. Thus, the study suggests that a gender inclusive curriculum is the need of present era in order to shape and promote positive gender socialization, which advocates gender equality.
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Education has always been subject to dominant ideology. Education has been used more effectively, especially in modern times, to create a particular society that is conducive to the consolidation and stabilisation of hierarchical power relations in society. Educational politics pertaining to women was akin to the educational politics pertaining to class and race. The purpose of modern education was to develop a specific form of femininity. Curriculum remained an important site of this cultural politics.
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