MHRD wants states to promote gender sensitisation

Post anti-rape bill, the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) has embarked on a mission to recast the curriculum especially in Higher Education to create gender sensitivity among youth. It has advised state governments to promote gender sensitisation by re-examining text books and curriculum and introducing gender module for teachers during the annual in-service training. According to an official release on Wednesday, the ministry has called for school monitoring systems to incorporate a checklist of parameters that promote gender sensitivity in classroom transaction and extra-curricular activities. It may be recalled that UGC has formed a ten-member committee recently which toured several cities including Hyderabad and interacted with various university administrations on gender sensitization measures. HRD Minister MM Pallamraju has also been vigourously campaigning for gender sensitization in institutes of higher learning. "The state governments have been advised by the HRD ministry to promote gender sensitization. This includes that curriculum and textbooks be re-examined and improved for gender positive materials and at least a two-three day gender module be conducted with all teachers during the annual in-service training programmes," the release said. The ministry has also proposed physical education for upper primary classes classes should include training in self-defence for girls. The release said the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was preparing gender sensitization modules to train teachers and help students fight stereotypes against women from a young age. "Gender sensitivity training modules for teachers/trainers will be in the form of advocacy programmes for sensitization and creating awareness," the release said. It said there will be master trainer programme for identified and motivated counsellors and nodal teachers. The release said that the latest syllabus on Health and Physical Education for classes 1 to 10 developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) based on National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 includes topics related to self defence under the themes such as human body, security and safety and self-defence for upper primary classes. "Efforts have also been made to introduce value education and gender studies in school syllabus. The syllabus will include introduction of value-based questions in the summative assessment-II in classes 9-10 and year-end examination of classes 11-12 from 2012-13," the release added.