 EDUCATION OF THE GIRL CHILD

EDUCATION OF THE GIRL CHILD

The NCERT continued assisting and advising the central and the state governments in implementation of the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986 (with modifications undertaken in 1992) with respect to, Education for Women's Equality and Empowerment. This Organisation acts (i) as a National Resource Centre for Women's Education and provides consultancy to the United Nations and certain other international organisations and (it) as a nodal point for women's education for SAARC activities. Interventions are made in the areas of policy planning, curriculum and teacher education for removing gender disparities and gender bias.

Seventh Training Programme on Methodology of Women's Education and Development

Eighteen female and 15 male participants underwent a six-week training programme on Methodology of Women's Education and Empowerment. The participants were drawn from 18 states and UTs, viz. Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar. Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. The methodology of the training programme is highly participatory and rich interaction among diverse cultural groups is in itself rewarding. A training manual and some other materials :were developed for use in the programme.

Report of the Working Group on Education and Training for Women's Empowerment

The Working Group set up by the Central Social Welfare Board gave its analysis and recommendations on the reorganisation of the condensed courses of Education and Vocational Training for women in the age group 15-35. The Head of the Department of Women's Studies, NCERT was the convenor of the above Group.

Studies Related to Women's Education

A study on 'Identification of Factors Relating to Recruitment and Posting of Women Teachers in Rural Areas' in four major northern states, viz. Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan has been completed. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative techniques and was carried out in the participatory mode. It was completed in two parts: (i) Policy analysis (policies regarding recruitment, posting and transfers of teachers in elementary schools in rural areas); (ii) Analysis based on information collected through canvassing interview schedules to teachers and parents and group discussions. The findings and recommendations of the study would help the states in restructuring their policies and procedures for recruitment and posting of women teachers in rural areas. Twenty district reports under the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP) Gender Studies

were reviewed. A national report covering 44 districts of eight states was finalised.

The data of the Sixth All India Educational Survey was analysed from gender point of view and a hand-out was prepared for printing. A report on the situation of girls/women in Delhi was prepared in collaboration with TINNARI (the Centre for Third World Women's Studies for Delhi State Commission).

The NCERT textbooks for the upper primary stage were evaluated from the point of view of gender bias and gender stereotyping.

Resource Support and Consultancy

Resource support was provided in gender training programmes organised by the SCERTs of Haryana and Rajasthan and several other organisations like NIEPA, IAMR, Delhi University, Family Planning Association of' India, Lok Jumbish (Rajasthan), Media Advocacy Group, Delhi. A country paper was prepared and presented on 'Situation of Girl Child in India' in SAARC workshop on Mid Decade Review of the Girl Child. Papers were presented in the Ninth World Congress on Comparative Education held at the University of Sydney, Australia.

One faculty member was deputed to participate in a six-week training programme, Gender Planning Training Project, held at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy, Mussoorie, sponsored by the Government of India and the U.K. The training was followed by a follow-up post-course workshop and an end-of-project seminar.

Report and Other Materials Brought Out during 1996-97

1. Manual and Report of the Seventh Training Programme on Methodology of Women's Education and Development (xeroxed)

2. Reports on the Evaluation of Upper Primary Textbooks Prepared by the NCERT from the Point of View of Gender Bias (typed)

3. Women Who Created History (under print)

4. Legal Literacy for Educational Personnel with Focus on Girls and Women: Resource Material (under print)

5. Situation of Girls and Women in Delhi

6. Women's Equality and Empowerment through Curriculum: Handbook for Teachers at Upper Primary Stage

7. Report of the Central Social Welfare Board Working Group on Education and Training for Women's Empowerment (xeroxed)

8. Balika Mein Sakaratmak Atma Bodh Vikas (under print)