A teacher education programme to advance gender equality in the classroom

Discrimination of all types is still a difficult social problem. One of the most serious forms of discrimination, gender disparity, calls for a prompt and effective reaction.

In daily life, women play a crucial and vital role. The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, which include objectives that clearly acknowledge the inherent equality in the status of women and the need to further their empowerment, have captured this. The targets must be achieved by 2030. However, there is still gender inequality in every country.

One of the most effective means of bringing about societal change that supports women's rights is education. It fosters ideas that infiltrate all facets of human life and have an impact on societal changes. In actuality, a civilization's education system is very likely to be related to the planned social changes in that culture. There is no doubt about their mutually beneficial partnership. On one, society has a tremendous impact on the process of education, and on the other, the education environment changes according to the demands of society. The two are interconnected, and this connection causes the desired changes in a society's socioeconomic status.

Globally, there has been an increasing need to address gender issues and stop using gendered language that has persisted in the system and now appears to be the accepted standard. It appears that gender bias has deepened its roots in our psyche. Despite our awareness of this social ill, bias is nonetheless pervasive in how we do business, engage with one another, and communicate. These unintentional prejudices have widened the gender inequality gap in many societies throughout the world.

So how can one verify their presumptions?

It is difficult to eradicate this deeply ingrained societal prejudice since gender bias has discreetly seeped into every part of our life. It won't produce any positive results to expect everyone to think outside the gender box based on a few gender awareness talks. Children need to have this issue addressed from an early age. Teachers are essential in the fight against gender stereotypes. Sadly, despite having the best of intentions for their pupils, teachers frequently employ a gender lens in their everyday curricular interactions.

Teachers that are well-versed in the fundamentals of anti-gender bias will be conscious of promoting gender equality in their students from an early age when neural connections are developing.

Teachers must continually be conscious of how they may create a stereotype-free atmosphere in their classroom interactions by utilising gender-inclusive language because they are the cornerstone of a good educational system.

It becomes essential to educate teachers about gender bias and give them training in order to expect them to affect changes in interpersonal interactions and social institutions. At all levels, including in teacher education programmes like B.Ed., NTT, etc., as preservice training and subsequently in schools as in-service, training in gender equality should be implemented. College and university-level training in gender equality must also be included.

Teachers who receive thoughtful training on gender prejudice and gender equality will be aware of the following:

·       Gender-neutral terminology in the classroom: When discussing something that involves both men and women/girls and boys, it is crucial to utilise gender-neutral terminology.

·       Watch out for articles, books, and other educational resources that emphasise gender stereotypes.

·       Avoid making generalisations about how men and women should behave, such as "boys are bold," "- don't weep," "- are strong," etc.; "girls are emotional," "- delicate," etc.

·       Eliminate chores that involve gender stereotypes.

·       Gender-focused pedagogy that promotes boys and girls participating equally in the teaching and learning process

These training can initially be planned independently and then gradually integrated into other general training that instructors take as part of their CPD programmes. Because families are the main facilitators of gender socialisation and because gender norms are ingrained in children's minds through their daily encounters with family members, schools must educate parents about gender bias.

The only treatment that will result in the desired social change in favour of gender equality in society is gender sensitization for everyone at all levels.

The child's attitude on gender roles will undoubtedly be shaped by a transformed mindset, with instructors playing a crucial role as "agents of change."