Written by: Yureka Adhikari - 29049, Grade VI
Posted on: 23 March, 2023
Most of us have probably seen articles speaking on the discrimination endured by the oppressed especially in the education system. However, probably not on the curriculum itself causing discrimination due to its discriminatory bias. I can give you some examples. Many subject books ranging from grades 1 through 10 have a sexist and anti-LGBTQIA+ message in my mind. Firsty, over and over again I see just “him” used in questions even if a pronoun isn’t needed.
We can use gender-inclusive language, such as they/them, or alternate between he/she, to be more inclusive of individuals who do not fit into a strict gender binary. It's important to use language that is respectful and affirming of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
Going through some grade 1 and pre-school books I found that household jobs were basically not given to men as for every 10 examples of females doing household chores there was one male. It's important for children's books to represent a diversity of gender roles and activities. Many books didn’t even present the idea that men could even think of doing these activities. Not only were these in the text but also given in the pictures. When profession is considered, jobs such as teachers, nurses, air hostesses are “girl” jobs and scientist, mathematician, doctors, engineers etc are “boy” jobs. These things are what cause people who did just as much hard work as others to not be recognized such as a female doctor being called a nurse. The reason we don’t have much development in STEM is due to the fact we are pushing girls away from this field. I hope I won’t have to explain how this is wrong.
When constructing a family tree grandfather and grandmother at the top, mother and father following that and sister, brother and you written in the squares where you are supposed to put pictures of your family. This makes kids believe that there can be no mother and mother, father and father, parent and parent, parent and mother/father or even just a single parent. Kids won’t accept other families then one where there are only people together who fit into one of the two genders and only have parents or grandparents (yes plural), one of each gender. That is the frame we have given them and yet get shocked when people don’t accept other types of families. Showing these things to developing minds is what causes bullying towards their peers. When a specific idea is shown as “right” and others “wrong” and they see something wrong then according to them they are helping to turn wrong to right. This will often cause bullying and as we know that causes major issues later in life.
We haven’t been taught on time about mental health and menstruation either. You are introduced to the topics in grade 6 when I think these things should gradually be started talking about in grade 1 as some get their menstruation in grades 3,4 and are clueless about it. Along with that they’ll learn that aspect of respect early on so it sticks with them their whole life. Mental health care also should be taught early on to make sure they don’t have issues later on in life. We get shocked when finding out 10.7% students have suicidal ideation yet we still don’t teach mental health from a young age. Mind you though we talk about it starting in middle school the way it is explained isn’t done well. Unless the teacher is really good at explaining it, the reason why we have it taught is just negated.
Let's talk about casteism. Regarding casteism we haven’t properly discussed it at all. Not even in social studies, where we are supposed to be given a clear idea of casteism yet going through the mandated curriculum there is not even a mention of it where it has been explicitly called out. Not even in chapters discussing social issues. They briefly mention it but never elaborate and explain it. Why is it that such a prevalent issue in our country is basically brushed under the rug?
Racism is also taught in a way where you can’t tell it is being taught. Racist names are present in all subjects. Images doing good deeds are often presented with people that have lighter skin than images of people committing crimes. Along with racism body shaming names and in stories descriptions of people’s physical features are written in detail. Often people who are not conventionally attractive are given the roles of antagonists and vice versa for protagonists. Oh and I can’t forget to mention how neither of these things are mentioned as issues and not even discussed at all. All books have never discussed it yet promoted it. Racism and body shaming has psychological evidence proving it causes insecurities. These things lead to much worse mental health.
Speaking of chapters discussing social issues they don’t properly discuss them and only focus on issues in remote parts of the country. Never once is it mentioned how sexism, racism, casteism, classism, etc is still very much prevalent in the more developed areas. How misconceptions about many things such as mensuration, mental health, physical health etc are still in places such as cities. It is equally as important to point it out as it is in villages.
Psychology says up to the age of 7 a kid is clueless about everything and is guided by whatever is suggested to them and is an important time period as it is when their beliefs are set into stone. It is much harder to change preconceived ideas of anything after the age of 7 then it is to before. Knowing this, is it a shock to see no matter the protests that things don’t change? How can anything change when during the most valuable years of our life we are introduced to these harmful gender roles? How do we expect change when the upcoming generation has these issues taught to them the same as the one before? How can we expect change when we aren’t changing the fundamental learning platform? You can’t guarantee that every person will be given opportunities to learn outside of school. Even in schools themselves since most teachers teach only the material from the curriculum mandated and you can not say everyone will have a teacher who is aware of these issues either. Nor will everyone have a family aware of them or even a family at all. For change to happen we must change the curriculum itself. I’ve found that not a lot of people talk about this issue. If the fundamental education mostly everyone receives isn’t talking about these social issues, what is the point of writing articles on them yet not the fact education on the issues isn’t incorporated in the fundamental curriculum?
These things directly factor our society and personal life. This may be an opinionated article however when going through any of the mandated curriculum you will find this is very much a real issue that needs more concern. You must understand for a better world a wiser next generation is important. I was barely able to find a recent article on this topic. I hope this topic is given more concern by curriculum developers, teachers and authors soon as our entire society depends on this. The point of school is to stop people from being ignorant. Change starts from education.
