Reflection on Gender at ABC School

Reflection on Gender at ABC School

By:

Darvesh Karim

Assistant Instructor

Professional Development Center, North

University Road, Konodass, Gilgit.

Ph. No: (+92) 05811-454132-4 Ext: 3017

Fax No: (+92) 05811-454135

Cell No: (+92) 03465419307

Email (Official): darveshkarim@pdcn.edu.pk

Email (Private): dk_hunzai@yahoo.com, darvesh.karim@gmail.com

Online Blogs: www.dkhunza.blogspot.com; www.scribd.com/dk_hunzai

Gender is one of the optional courses offered at the third semester of M.Ed. at AKU-IED. Various gender theories and perspectives are studied in this course. In order to explore the nature of gender in our context, one group of the gender course visited ABC school Karachi. This paper briefly reflects on the said visit. 

In this school, it was encouraging to note that boys and girls are treated almost equally without any big discrimination. Both the genders get together in one place for assembly, take equal part in activities and perform the exercises together. Similarly, in each class and sections, boys and girls study together, get equal attention of teachers and equally get engaged in various classroom activities. Moreover, both the genders have opportunities of participation in games and other co-curricular activities.

However, there were some observations which made the group conclude that still there are some gaps between boys and girls in this school. There were certain games such as volley ball and cricket where mostly the boys seemed engaged. The girls had a separate portion for games where they play table tennis; a light game as compared to volley ball and cricket. Moreover, at break time, it was observed that boys and girls sit in separate portions of school to rest and for refreshment. Similarly, boys and girls use different entrance and exit to enter and leave the classes. Besides, while observing one lesson, it was found that girls were less confident than boys in speaking, responding to the questions posed by the teacher and taking active part in classroom activities.

It may not be safe to make judgment about gender perspective of this based on only one visit. Anyhow, the big picture shows that as compared to our context the boys and girls avail almost equal opportunities in this school. In order to get in-depth understanding of gender perspective and its underpinning factors, it is important to have detailed talk with the teachers. Though, the perspective of the principal regarding gender was taken, teachers who have more interaction with students could give in-depth view of the situation. Our next visit will be focused on teachers’ perspectives and other relevant documents to know more about gender in this school