Ranchi, July 15 : The Jharkhand Council of Educational Research and Training (JCERT) has drafted a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to promote gender-responsive and inclusive education across government schools in the state, with the aim of creating safer, more equitable and non-discriminatory learning environments for students.
The draft SOP, once finalised, will serve as a guiding framework for government schools to strengthen gender inclusion in school management, classroom practices and student engagement. It seeks to promote gender equality, equity and equal access to learning opportunities while ensuring that schools provide a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all learners.
According to the draft framework, schools will be encouraged to adopt gender-sensitive practices in day-to-day functioning, covering areas such as classroom participation, school safety, child protection and the prevention of gender-based discrimination and violence. It also proposes mechanisms for reporting and addressing issues related to harassment, discrimination and student safety.
The SOP places particular emphasis on fostering gender-sensitive attitudes and behaviour among teachers and other school stakeholders through awareness and capacity-building initiatives. It also aims to improve enrolment, attendance and retention, especially among students from disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.
The proposed guidelines recommend making school assemblies, sports, libraries, classrooms, ICT laboratories and other facilities gender-inclusive. They also seek to ensure equitable participation in student parliaments, school management committees and parent-teacher meetings.JCERT said the framework is intended to provide practical guidance to schools in implementing gender-responsive and inclusive education while promoting constitutional values, equality, respect and social responsibility among students.
To review and refine the draft SOP, JCERT organised a four-day workshop that concluded on Monday. The exercise was aimed at ensuring that the framework is practical, effective and aligned with the needs of schools before its statewide implementation.
Speaking at the workshop, Jayvanti Devgam, Deputy Secretary in the School Education and Literacy Department, said gender equality cannot be confined to textbooks or policy documents alone.”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,” she said.
The initiative aligns with the broader objectives of national education policies that emphasise equitable access to education, safe learning spaces and equal opportunities for all students. Once adopted, the SOP is expected to strengthen institutional practices related to gender equality and support the academic and personal development of students in government schools across Jharkhand.
