BARRIERS TOWARDS ACHIEVING EQUITY : Schools and Classrooms Context: Uttar Pradesh- Lucknow : Kumkum Tripathi ABRC Lko

Equity..

Issues still existing in schools despite RTE, and Other Policies  Social bias and Gender bias  Preference for boys over girls  Enrollment of girls in government schools  Dropout/out of school : more frequent in children from weaker sections  Subject biased  Lack of toilets  Seating arrangenments

Preferring boys over girls In sports functions excursions and other activities

 Extends to teachers also.Men prefer to have male teachers  Boys usually given a second chance at most things  Girls are enrolled in government schools while their brothers go to private schools  Girls usually sit at the back

Factors Responsible  Traditions and conventions :  both have different roles to play in life  Girl should study home science boys can go for maths /science  Girls must learn to make adjustments They have to be groomed into homemakers

 Personal Prejudices  Girls are the weaker sex must learn to follow  Too much exposure and attention will spoil them  Lack of Infrastructure  Schools not within reach/ Lack of separate toilets  No flexibility in school timings  Shortage of female teachers

 Indifference  The girls usually give up studies, so why put in a lot of effort (different reasons like: lack of schools for higher studies, marriage socio economic problems)  What big change can my single effort bring about anyway?  When the parents themselves appear disinterested Its not my duty  I may be targeted if I start to oppose the existing practice  I do want to change things but don’t know how or where to begin

Promoting Equity  Orientation of Teachers  Building Empathy  Involving the Community  NPEGEL( Meena Manch )  A platform to share experiences and discuss strategies  KGBV

THANK YOU I have promises to keep … And miles to go before I sleep And miles to go before I sleep.