Ranchi: Jharkhand Council of Educational Research and Training (JCERT) is preparing a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) focused on ‘gender-responsive and inclusive schools’. Once finalised, the SOP will be implemented across all govt schools in the state.The key objectives of the SOP are to promote gender equality, equity and an inclusive environment in educational institutions, while ensuring a safe, respectful, non-discriminatory and conducive learning environment for students.The SOP places a strong focus on fostering gender-sensitive attitude and behaviour among teachers and all school-related stakeholders. It aims to actively promote enrolment, regular attendance and retention in schools, with a specific emphasis on students from disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. The framework intends to make all school activities, assembly sessions, sports, libraries, classrooms, ICT labs and other facilities entirely gender-inclusive.Effective and equitable participation will be ensured in student parliaments, school management committees and parent-teacher meetings under the new SOP. It will also develop clear guidelines for child safety, protection and the prevention of gender-based discrimination and violence in schools. It seeks to foster a sense of equality, respect, constitutional values and social responsibility among students. Ultimately, the initiative aims to provide an effective and practical guidance document on gender-responsive and inclusive education in govt schools.To review and vet the SOP — ensuring it is practical, effective and closely aligned with the actual needs of schools — a four-day workshop was organised by JCERT, which concluded on Monday.Jayvanti Devgam, deputy secretary of school education and literacy department, said the concept of gender equality cannot be confined merely to textbooks or policies. She said, “Unless we bring about practical changes in our family and social environment, it will be difficult to witness the full impact of these measures in schools.”Sanjay Kumar Prasad, deputy secretary of the department, added that it is essential to convey the message of gender equity not only to students but also to parents. “It has been proposed that ‘gender equity’ be made a mandatory agenda item for parent-teacher meetings (PTMs) across all schools, thereby facilitating sensitisation at the community level,” he said.
The workshop being inaugurated
Participants in the workshop organised by JCERT, which concluded on Monday
