Delhi Education Council Revises School Textbooks To Remove Gender Biases

Delhi’s State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) is set to revise school textbooks following a comprehensive gender audit of 53 textbooks and curricula. The audit was conducted by a committee comprising experts from NCERT, Delhi University, Central Education Institutes, and NGOs.

Reportedly, the committee found significant gender biases, including male-dominated content and women’s submissive roles alongside the lack of representation for transgender individuals.

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The committee recommended adopting gender-neutral language and illustrations, balanced representation of male and female contributors, and elimination of stereotypes.

In the updated books the traditional household chorus depicting women now includes men also and subjects like mathematics now feature gender-neutral examples. The revised home science books depict males and females in professional roles and challenge conventional gender norms.

However, the SCERT officials reportedly, emphasized that textbooks are not the only mode of changing social attitudes, gender sensitization through school activities is also important. They support that tasks traditionally assigned for female students such as decoration will now be given to male students to challenge the existing stereotypes about the gender roles.

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Also, the new curriculum includes discussions on transgender individuals’ achievements, substance abuse, and good versus bad touch’ to enhance student awareness.

The revisions are by the National Education Policy objectives of fostering more equitable learning environment and to shape students values and attitudes towards gender roles.