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| EDUCATION TRIBUNE |
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Fostering gender sensitivity among students Most British children admit to cheating in school sports
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Fostering gender sensitivity among students THE brutal gangrape in the national Capital has forced all those associated with education to have a relook at the syllabus and curriculum. Cognisance has been taken of the issue of gender sensitivity and the syllabus is being overhauled. In a patriarchal society like ours, teaching gender sensitivity has not been considered an important issue, but recent events have made everyone sit up and take the issue seriously. Gender is an often-used term, and the perception and understanding of it is based on what primary and secondary groups imply. The socialisation of a child begins with the primary group and his exposure to it goes a long way in forming the views of the child. The behaviour of the young one is based on their role models. Young children imitate the elders at home. If parents share an equal and balanced, stable relationship, children are likely to pick up the nuances of correct behaviour. The child often sees at home the mother waiting at the table while the rest of the family eat. The school environment also encourages in the fixation of ideas regarding the role of women. Boys are encouraged to play games, while girls are encouraged to opt for subjects like Home Science. Even in the discussion of careers, boys are seen as soldiers and scientists and girls as teachers and nurses. Gender-specific toys, where the boys play with cars and guns and the girls with tea sets and dolls, reinforces the stereotypes. In a patriarchal culture like ours, stereotypes exist that are attached to gender. The patriarchal mindset has lead to the fixing of roles of women as caregivers, where they fall easy victims of exploitation, whether physical or emotional. Domestic violence at home is bound to perpetuate violence when a child grows up. Therefore, sensitisation towards gender has become the need of the hour. The NCERT prescribed social science book on “Social and Political Life” for Class VII has a unit on gender with two lessons, namely ‘Growing Up as Boys and Girls’ and ‘Women Change the World’. These chapters explain the concept of gender without actually using the term. By using case studies, stories, pictures and analytical questions, the learners are made to use high-order thinking skills and observe their families and society around them. These lessons discuss inequality and stereotypes regarding women. Under a skilled mentor, a young learner can learn about gender and stereotyping without any inhibition. The CBSE has also introduced a course in ‘Human Rights and Gender Studies’ from this session at the XI- and XII-level, so that students are sensitised at an early age. Gender sensitivity needs to be fostered at the school level, especially in the 14-18 age group. The case of ‘Nirbhaya’ has shown that we are moving into a state of normlessness. All of us have the right to live in a civil society with respect and dignity. Gender studies is not about pitting women against men or war of the genders, it is just about creating awareness. School classrooms may be the right place for a healthy discussion on gender sensitisation. Education and upbringing go hand on hand. It is easier to mould young minds. With single mothers and women joining the workforce, female-headed households, women working late hours as in IT and corporate sectors, teaching gender sensitivity has become a must. There is no better place than the classroom. Specialised staff may be needed to get the message across. Respect for the opposite gender and the need for everyone to act responsibly are topics to be discussed. The mentor has to be equipped with training to handle topics like harassment, traditional gender roles and victimisation with an open mind. There have been big talks about roping in religious preachers, street plays, giving moral education lectures and sensitising the police to deal with cases related to women. Gender sensitivity teaching should begin in the classrooms. The UGC has recommended special modules for gender sensitisation. Simple activities like rangoli competition, salad making, highlighting how chefs, hairdressers and designers are normally males can alter the stereotype image of the macho man and gender roles can be redefined. Roopam Jha, lecturer in sociology with the Chandigarh Administration, endorses the CBSE’s move to introduce gender studies as a new course. She says, “Students have a fixed idea where gender roles are concerned given that ours is a patriarchal society. Women are seen only in pink-collar jobs. At the school level, children have to be made aware of the changes taking place where women have stepped into the workforce. With an open mind, gender sensitivity has to be discussed along with respect for women has to be fostered. When the young mind is taught about such sensitivity early, unfortunate incidents like the Delhi case can be avoided.” |
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Most British children admit to cheating in school sports TWO out of three children admit to cheating in school sports because they feel under pressure to win, according to a survey conducted in the UK recently. The survey of just over 1,000 children aged eight to 16 also revealed that 75 per cent believed their teammates would cheat if they believed they could get away with it. Only 16 per cent felt their teammates would feel guilty if they won through cheating, while 37 per cent believed their teammates would not care while 5 per cent said they would be happy or proud if they cheated. A separate survey of parents showed that nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) believed cheating by high-profile sportsmen and women had led their offspring to believe it was acceptable for them to follow suit. Opinion is divided, though, on whether cheating has got worse in school sports in recent years, with 34 per cent of parents saying it has got worse and 36 per cent that it has not. The most common form of unsporting activities were connected with football, with 40 per cent saying they had been victims of professional fouls, 32 per cent regularly seeing time-wasting and 24 per cent witnessing diving. Derek Brewer, the chief executive of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), said: “This survey highlights the pressures children feel under when playing sport. With this backdrop, it is vital that children are taught the importance of playing sport in the correct spirit.”
— The Independent
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Campus Notes Lecture on communication skills TECHNOLOGICAL tools can be used to hone communication skills but the tendency of total dependency on technological aids must be avoided and one must develop critical thinking and reasoning to provide a solid foundation to the effective communication that has been of vital importance in the modern era. This was stated by Dr Bhim Singh Dahiya, former Vice-Chancellor, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, while delivering a special lecture on “Communication Skills and Technology” organised by the Department of English and Foreign Languages. He said content is very important in communication, as is the skill of listening. He said communication must incorporate moral values or else it becomes a mere business process. He decried the tendency of use of abusive and violent language, which tantamount to brutalising humanity and mankind. Earlier, Dr Dahiya and Dr R.P. Hooda, Vice-Chancellor, MDU, inaugurated the newly established Language Lab at the Department of English and Foreign Languages. Hospitality and tourism education
The Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management (IHTM) of the university organised a seminar on “Hospitality and Tourism Education in India: Issues and Challenges” here recently. Professor Daleep Singh, Director, IHTM, said keeping in view the phenomenal growth of hospitality and tourism industry, interaction between academia and industry is necessary. He said the seminar will help in bridging the gap between hospitality and tourism education and the industry. Noted experts from the sector as well as academicians took part in the seminar.
Computing technologies
A national-level conference focusing on research and empahsising on the latest trends and advanced computing technologies was organised at the Department of Computer Sciences here recently. The conference was largely attended by experts and researchers in the field of advanced computing technologies. In his inaugural address, Professor Manohar Lal, former Director, School of Computer Science, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, emphasised the need for implementation of advanced computer technologies. Professor N. P. Singh, Dean, Research, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, focused on cloud computing and other emerging computing technologies. He said advanced computing technologies play an important role in the field of information technology. Rajender Singh Chhillar, conference director and Head, Department of Computer Science and Applications of the varsity, delivered the welcome address and threw light on the theme of the conference. More than 200 research papers were presented at the conference, which was attended by more than 300 delegates from all over the country.
Sources of Indian history
The Department of History of the university organised a one-day workshop on “Sources of Indian History” here recently. According to Professor Nirmal Kashyap, Head of the Department, the participants included Professor R.C. Thakran (Delhi University), Professor (retd) B.K Kathil (Kurukshetra University) and Professor Sunita Zaidi (Jamia Millia Islamia). Meanwhile, the National Service Scheme cell of the university organised a workshop on the issue of gender sensitisation here. Speakers highlighted the importance of the issue and called for an awareness drive at various levels. — Contributed by Bijendra Ahlawat
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India, Germany plan joint vocational university NEW DELHI: India and Germany are planning to set up a jointly funded, central vocational university that will provide employment-oriented training to youth. “We are looking at some jointly funded projects. We are looking at a couple of possibilities and one possibility is of setting up a central vocational university," Indian Ambassador to Germany Sujatha Singh said. She said the matter was under discussion and both sides were hopeful of finalising it soon. The university is likely to be based in one of the major cities of India and will provide technical education. “It is in the process of discussion. We hope that we can make some good progress on this over the next few months and bring it to fruition,” Singh said. India and Germany recently signed two agreements to strengthen cooperation in education and research. Under one pact, the two countries agreed to launch a jointly funded initiative called “Indo-German strategic partnerships in higher education.” Both the countries have pledged 3.5 million euro ($4.48 million) each for an initial programme period of four years. The programme will focus on establishing joint research projects that will include joint supervision as well as student and academic exchanges. — IANS Amity University to expand
its Dubai campus
DUBAI: India’s Amity University is set to expand its Dubai campus, with plans to relocate to a new site over the next few months. The university boasts of over 100,000 students with nine international campuses across North America, Europe and Asia. Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) has announced that Amity University, one of its partner universities, will move from its current location at DIAC to a 7,00,000 sq ft space that can accommodate a total of 5,000 students at full capacity. DIAC, which first introduced Amity to the region in 2011, will be working closely with the university over the next 18 months to migrate its faculty and students. The campus promises state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, sports facilities and a new multimedia-capable library. — PTI
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THE brutal gangrape in the national Capital has forced all those associated with education to have a relook at the syllabus and curriculum. Cognisance has been taken of the issue of gender sensitivity and the syllabus is being overhauled. In a patriarchal society like ours, teaching gender sensitivity has not been considered an important issue, but recent events have made everyone sit up and take the issue seriously.