Ranchi, July 15 : The Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) has extended its partnership with the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), a US-based global non-profit research institute, to strengthen gender-responsive and inclusive education across schools in Jharkhand.
The renewed collaboration, formalised through a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU), aims to make gender equity an integral part of teaching, learning and school governance across the state.
In a statement, JEPC said the partnership seeks to embed gender equity into the everyday culture of schools “not as an add-on, but as an integral part of teaching, learning and school governance.
“Nasreen Jamal, Associate Director at ICRW Asia, said the organisation had previously worked with JEPC on a gender equity programme in Jamtara and Godda districts.
“We worked with JEPC on the gender equity programme in Jamtara and Godda districts in the past. Building on the success in these two districts, the new MoU is targeted at rolling out the initiative across the state,” she said.
As part of the initiative, students will undergo orientation programmes, while teachers and mid-tier academic and administrative functionaries will be sensitised to promote gender inclusion in schools.
The collaboration will also strengthen data and monitoring systems in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) to support evidence-based decision-making. In addition, the KGBV Consortium will be revitalised as a platform for cross-district learning and knowledge exchange.
JEPC said the partnership would ensure the continuation of the Gender Equity Movement in Schools (GEMS) programme by engaging teachers, head teachers, Bal Sansads and school management committees to foster equitable and inclusive school environments.
Under the agreement, ICRW will provide technical support to JEPC in strengthening gender cells across the state. As the technical partner, the organisation will help build the capacity of these cells and support efforts to promote gender-responsive and inclusive education in Jharkhand’s schools.
