A Study of Gender bias in Classroom Practices at Elementary Level

Abstract

The preamble guarantees to all the citizens of India justice, social economic and political, liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; equality of status and of opportunity; and, to promote among them all fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the integrity of the nation Where do women of India stand in this framework? Do they receive justice? Do they have liberty? Do they enjoy dignity as individuals? Are they enjoying equality? Theoretically, all these questions can be answered in affirmative but the reality is far behind. The overall social context in which a girl lives from womb to tomb is filled with gender bias. Gender bias can be defined as "Inclination of mind on the basis of the sex of a child without due examination". Hence the Gender bias which exists at parental home, community level, learning institutions, world of work, matrimonial home, school environment, rather all around, a girl child puts unsurmountable hurdles in her physical, emotional, social, educational, economicaI and even spiritual development As a result she is not able to develop her potentialities to the desired extent As consequence to it she is invariably on unequal footings with the boys of her age and is often in a disadvantaged position to take full benefit of the various programmes introduced by the government for the welfare and educational development of the children.