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education

and parents through key concepts, goals, choice; anyone can play any role he/she in a practical world,” she added.
pedagogical process and practices to wants.” Though it is carrying shades of ques-
“implement gender sensitisation right Mrs Prasad emphasised on the par- tions, NCERT’s initiative can be consid-
from the childhood days”. “Parents and ents’ role in a kid’s upbringing said, “Par- ered as a flame of hope. The duration of
community is an equal party in whatever ents also need to become cautious of preschool is the most precious time for
a kid is learning,” said an official from gender biasness at home. They have to children as it is the time when they build
NCERT who did not wish to be named. practice the methods at home for a bet- their senses and base for their better
The purpose of introducing gender ter outcome. We meet the parents time future. Kids are like flower at this stage
sensitise teaching methods are very to time to aware them about our teaching which needs a lot of care and love for
much clear through the NCERT’s pro- methods so that they can also practice their nourishment.
posed curriculum, so the proper imple- them at home. Preschool teaching is a Hema Sain, PhD scholar in Gen -
mentation of this initiative is necessary. 24*7 process, which goes on from school der and Disability from Delhi univer-
The new guidelines have recommended to home.” sity refers to gender discrimination as a
schools to select books, plays and other With time “gender biasness has social construct. She said, “Gender dis-
activities free of any gender bias. It has crimination is so deep-rooted in our
also asked the schools to ensure that the society that we practice it without even
teachers are using gender-neutral labels acknowledging it. A kid will learn what-
and provides equal attention and oppor- The age of 3 to 6 is ever he/she will see every day in his/her
tunity to boys and girls. surroundings.”
The time duration of preschool years very delicate for a She shed some light on various as-
is the “foundation years for children’s child to learn anything pects of how gender biasness functions
development.” Joyti Kant Prasad, Head- in our society. Mostly the “cartoons
mistress of IIT nursery school, Delhi which he/she will always have a male protagonist. Even the
talked about the implementation of the carry lifelong. Gender toys we usually gift to the kids reflect our
initiative, said, “Our teachers teach the unknowing practices of gender biasness.”
children through stories, songs, activities, sensitisation is very “A girl kid always receives a kitchen
and facilitation aids that depict girls and much important. If it set and a boy gets a gun or bat-ball which
boys in the same roles. We do not stick automatically priorities their life choices.
to the theory solely as we demonstrate happens at an early Why do we never have a girl with short
each and everything for children’s better age, it automatically hair becoming the ‘hero’ of the story?”
understanding.” said Sain.
Demonstration certainly clears the makes the children Talking about NCERT’s initiative, Sain
concept to the children and practicing responsible and stops said, “This is a first step towards bring-
the theories make him/her perfect in ing change. It is going to be a very slow
whatever they learn at school. IIT nurs- gender-discrimination process but an effective one if imple-
ery school believes in making the chil- mented well.”
dren comfortable with the school envi- in the future, says a “For kids books are everything. They
ronment at the same time they indulge mother take references from whatever they
children’s in different activities like tree see and listen to. If we can give them a
plantation, learning letters through gender sensitise atmosphere in school
songs and activities. become a part of the society, this pro- and home, this will surely bring change,”
Mrs Prasad who is also a part of the gressive move has raised many ques- she added.
expert team of the NCERT’s development tions of its positive outcome.” “It is a good Moving towards the future, children
team explained the methods of imple- initiative; a bit late but at least we have are the backbone of a progressive soci-
mentation of the initiative. She said, “We given a thought about it,” said a teacher ety. The methods like dramatisation of
teach them tree plantation by making (who did not wish to be named) of MCD plays and stories in school without any
them do so, not by only telling them how School in New Delhi. biasness can kill the thought process of
to do it. These activities help children “Gender-discrimination is in the air gender discrimination among children.
to clear their concepts. All the activities and we breathe it every day. More than The gender-neutral teaching at the early
are organised in groups so that children the kids we need to teach the parents. childhood days will help them grown
should not experience any gender bias- There are 2% of parents who take an stronger and sensible. The initiative will
ness.” She further said, “Recently while interest in all this activity and all. We can be successful when we don’t have to refer
playing Ramayana, we didn’t specify teach the kid in school many things but ‘neutral’ as ‘gender-neutral’.
that only girls can play Sita or Boy’s can the problem accrues when they go home.
play Ram or Ravan. We left it up to their Gender discrimination is a big problem letters@tehelka.com

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