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'Gender discrimination' in textbooks
Islamabad, Jan 05, 2008: With curriculum of known private schools addressing the issue
of gender discrimination by introducing diversified role of women in their
textbooks and written matter, that of public and model schools however still
restricts role of women to certain socially accepted stereotypical categories at
the primary level.
Despite recommendations being made at different
levels in workshops and seminars and with the authorities conceding it was a
hindrance in way of women development, no serious effort has been made to
educate majority of the population about newer and changed role of women.
The difference is quite obvious when a comparison is made of the Urdu
courses taught to private and public schools in Grade II. Children in this grade
would readily accept whatever is told to them.
For example, a
comprehensive writing worksheet of City School rightly describes a regular
morning scene as "Men are going to work and some women are doing household
chores while other women are heading towards their offices."
On the
other hand, a chapter named 'Paishay (professions)' in 'Doosri Darsi Kitab' for
Class II of public schools, all professions including medicine, teaching,
business and engineering have been assigned to men with women getting a mention
only when nursing is discussed. In another chapter, Imrana, like always chooses
a doll while Rashid and Mujahid opt for a train and car respectively.
The relevant official of the Education Directorate declined to speak on telephone. His secretary suggested that the directorate's
spokesperson be contacted.
The spokesperson however found the question
too 'technical' to answer and directed that the same official be contacted.
Several phone calls to him yielded no result. An independent source said that
the implementation department had not yet received any instructions from the
policy-makers to gender sensitise the primary level curriculum. He said there
were 407 model schools and colleges in Islamabad falling under the directorate.
At secondary and college levels a few changes have been introduced like
including profiles of women that have shone in their fields but there is a need
to do more at the primary level. Making newer professional roles of women
acceptable to the coming generations is important to shun stereotypical
thinking.
Myra Imran (The News)
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| Education News | | Updated: 24 May, 2012 |
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