Andhra Pradesh revises school textbooks to challenge gender stereotypes, says HRD Minister Nara Lokesh
· India · The Hindu, Hindustan Times
Andhra Pradesh has revised school textbooks for Classes I and II to depict men and women sharing household responsibilities equally, with 50% of chores assigned to each, to discourage gender stereotyping from an early age. HRD Minister Nara Lokesh announced this at a fireside chat organised by the Public Affairs Forum of India in New Delhi on Thursday. He stated that the earlier textbooks predominantly portrayed women performing household chores. The government is also working towards ensuring 'one class, one teacher', with the proportion of schools meeting this standard rising from 3% when he assumed charge to 33% now. Around 16,000 teachers have been recently recruited, with plans to undertake teacher recruitment every year. Saturday has been designated as a 'No Bag Day' in schools to provide scope for practical and experiential learning, including activities like managing family and agricultural budgets, field visits, and basic exposure to Artificial Intelligence.
Why it matters
The revised textbooks aim to inculcate respect for women and challenge traditional gender roles among young children in Andhra Pradesh, potentially shaping more equitable attitudes from an early age. The focus on value-based education and teacher recruitment reflects broader efforts to improve the quality and inclusivity of school education in the state.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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