Gender Studies Components in Teacher Training: An Essential Requirement for Teacher Empowerment and Gender Justice in the 21st Century

Authors: Dr. Moly Kuruvilla, Reader

Pages: 46-50

Abstract:

: The world in general and developing countries in particular are facing challenges related to creating a suitable environment for mobilization of maximum human resource for development. The UN efforts like UN Decade for women and the various international conferences on women have been successful in highlighting the importance of involving women more fully and effectively in the development process, both as actors and beneficiaries in all fields of life. In spite of advancement in certain areas, the accelerated women empowerment programmes in general and especially that in the Indian context fail to attain the anticipated targets. The proactive role of teachers in solving the problems of poverty, ill-health, gender based violence and other inequalities prevailing in the society is called upon by the author. This is supported by the research undertaken on gender role perception of teacher trainees at B. Ed level. The study on 632 teacher trainees from 20 colleges of teacher education in the state of Kerala has revealed quite disappointing results. Significant difference is found between the gender role perception of men and women. Based on the findings of the study the investigator highlights the need for introducing gender studies components at UG and PG levels of teacher education and in the orientation and inservice training programmes of teachers so as to equip them fully to meet the needs of the 21st century, especially in the context of ensuring gender justice.