An International Conference On South Asian Education Experiences & Knowledge Generation Gender Issues in Curriculum: Enabling or disenfranchising the girl child? 1-2 February 2006 Lahore Dr. Anjum Halai Assistant Professor, Head Research & Policy Studies Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development

Mathematics Teacher Education at AKU-IED Focus on processes of mathematical thinking and problem solving. Analysis of curriculum materials for gender biases. Preparing gender inclusive curriculum materials. Teaching peers about gender issues in Mathematics classrooms.

A class survey Describe a brilliant mathematician. Boys are better mathematicians. Do you agree? Why? Why not? Is teaching and learning of mathematics different for boys and girls? How is it different?

Gender Bias in Mathematics Curriculum Gendered nature of the discipline of Mathematics Stereo typical images Under representation of Girls

31 49 29 4 2 6 - Topic / class Percentage Class VIII Class VII Ratios & Proportions Class VI Word Problems Number of word problems in the chapter 41 51 33 Real World Setting Taxes, Commission, Business profit/loss), Zakat Business profit/loss), Partnership, Inheritance, proportions in Other everyday settings Reference to males through nouns or pronouns 31 49 29 Reference to women (nouns and pronouns) 4 2 Problems that were gender inclusive or neutral 6 -

Teachers’ Perception of boys as better Mathematicians To some extent I agree with this. And probably the reason for it is that Allah has made man superior to a woman. It is natural that from childhood they (boys) ask questions why, what, how. And comparatively, you explain to the girls and they accept it. They have curiosity but from the start that element of curiosity is bounded so that it stops. This is the reason that our experience tells us that boys learn better. Yes, boys are better mathematicians because they think in (sic) deeply and try to find better solutions. Conti…

In our society, boys stay more out of the home In our society, boys stay more out of the home. Their observation skills are more and they take part in buying and selling Yes, I agree that the boys are better mathematicians because they always try to learn logic and apply in different context of life. Instead girls want to learn the rules. Girls go on to “Ratta” (rote learning) they don’t want to go in-depth.

Implications & Recommendation for Teacher Education Two levels: discipline; socio-cultural Curriculum developers to recognize the socio culturally embedded nature of schools. Mathematics teacher education to build on the experiences of teachers as learners of Mathematics.