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 biasPreference for boys over girlsEnrollment of girls in government schoolsDropout/out of school : more frequent in children from weaker sectionsSubject biasedLack of toiletsSeating arrangenments

Preferring boys over girlsIn sports functions excursions and other

activities

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

Factors ResponsibleTraditions 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 adjustmentsThey 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

IndifferenceThe 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 dutyI may be targeted if I start to oppose the existing practiceI do want to change things but don’t know how or where to begin

Promoting Equity

Orientation of TeachersBuilding EmpathyInvolving the CommunityNPEGEL( Meena Manch )A platform to share experiences and discuss strategiesKGBV

THANK YOU

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