Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to include a new subject for Class 12 for the 2013-14 academic term. The subject, Gender Studies, meant to create awareness on gender issues and sensitivity, will be combined with human rights studies. The course will initially be introduced in 50 schools as a pilot study, and will be an elective course.
Coming in the backdrop of Women's Day celebrations, the 'Human Rights and Gender Studies' course is a well thought out initiative by CBSE. Sadhna Parashar, central board's training and academics director, in a letter to principals explained that Class 12 was a time students started thinking about future careers, and that it is during this period that issues relating to gender would have the greatest impact.
A teacher from Calcutta commented that such a course would teach young students, particularly boys to respect women by highlighting the importance of women in society. Another academician, a principal of a renowned school, felt that though society expected women to take on multiple roles, in the home and outside, it did not promote independent thought. She revealed that even certain senior academicians still believed women should be limited to housework. Other teachers as well expressed the opinion that such a course was needed.
A teacher from Calcutta commented that such a course would teach young students, particularly boys to respect women by highlighting the importance of women in society. Another academician, a principal of a renowned school, felt that though society expected women to take on multiple roles, in the home and outside, it did not promote independent thought. She revealed that even certain senior academicians still believed women should be limited to housework. Other teachers as well expressed the opinion that such a course was needed.
However, some teachers were skeptical on the efficacy of such a course. They felt that values such as gender sensitization should be conveyed to children during their early years from their homes. At the very least it should be taught during school if it is to have any effect.
A source at CBSE revealed that the aim of the course was to create awareness regarding the way gender is taken for granted in society. The course would also address implication of gender in ones daily life and how change can be brought about depending on what elements of traditional gender roles are prevalent in society.
Source: The Times of India
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