Lok Sabha Question No. 4312 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-12
Subject: Gender Sensitization in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: TATHAGATA SATPATHY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4312 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.1 2.2016

## Gender Sensitization in Schools

## 4312. SHRI TATHAGATA SATPATHY :

W ill the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state :

- (a) whetherthe Government intends to introduce mandatory modules in schools for gender sensitization to promote respect and a non - discriminatory attitude towards women, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (b) whether  the  Government  als o  intends  to  make  offering  counselling  mandatory  at schools  so  that  there  may  be  a  channel  available  to  the  kids  to  bring  forth grievances against exploitation?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ( SHRI UPEN DRA KUSHWAHA )

(a): Though theGovernment does not intend to introduce mandatory modules in schools ,the Ministry has been addressing it on priority. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 20 emphasizesgender as an important guiding principle in all curricular areas and stipulat gender  be  an  integral  part  of  all  disciplines  offered  to  children  at the school  stage.  Gender concerns have been integrated in the curriculum and in the textbooks drawn u p by the National Council  of  Education  &  Training  (NCERT)  and  widely  used  by  the  schools  affiliated  to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and also in several State Governments. The St Councils  of  Education  Research  &  Training  (SCERT)  which prescribe  textbooks  for  State Government schools have also redesigned school textbooks to make these gender positive.

The Central  Board  of  Secondary  Education  (CBSE) has  a  scheme  of  School  Based Examination  in  classes  IX - X.  The  values  highlighted  under  the scheme emphasize upon removing the practices derogatory to the dignity of women and respecting opposite gender Board has also been implementing the Adolescence Education Prog ramme for the past seven years  and t he  Manuals  being  used  for  these  training  programmes includeactivities related to

Gender Sensitization . The Board has introduced an elective course 'Human Rights and Gender Studies' for classes XI and XII from session 2014 - 15 onwards.

(b): Though theGovernment does not intend to makecounseling mandatory at schools , t he National Curriculum Framework (NCF), 2005 has articulated the ne to provide guidance and counselling in schools to deal with stress related problems and to guide students, par nd teachers  to lessen the  students'  stress. The  NCERT  has  developed  guidelines  on thisfor  the secondary stage teachers and also for the state functionaries under the RMSA and itakes care of this aspect in all its capacity building programmes conducted f or the states/UTs at the secondary and higher secondary stage.

As per clause 53(5) of the affiliation Bye -Laws of the CBSE , every secondary and senior secondary  school  shall  appoint  a  person  on  full  time  basis  for  performing  the  dutie Counsellor. Schools having enrolment of less than 300 students in classes from IX to XII appoint a counselor on part - time basis. The Board conducts periodic inspections of the schools ensure the availability of the prescribed facilities .

****