Ensuring gender equality has always been of concern for governments and organizations and in recent times we have seen many results of such legislative actions. Projects like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ is continuously working towards such goals. But an important aspect of ensuring equality is breaking stereotypes and prevalent gender norms of the society. In news has been a primary school of Kerala which has made a significant step towards ensuring gender neutrality and taken a holistic approach for imbibing the values in the upcoming citizens of the country.
Valayanchirangara government Lower Primary School has a student strength of 754 has introduced a new gender-neutral uniform for their students. Situated in Kerala’s Eranakulam district, the new uniform – a 3/4th shorts and shirt has been extended to all students. Originally decided and planned during a PTA meeting earlier in 2018, it was finally implemented once schools resumed physical classes post Covid-19 lockdown.
The current president and then part of the executive committee of the PTA, Vivek V says how the decision was backed by all students and parents and the primary idea was to allow all students free movement. It was initially implemented in the pre-primary section which has near 200 students.
After the success, it was introduced throughout the school. The move has been appreciated by General Education Minister V Sivankutty who said that the LP school and the government will continue to promote such gender-inclusive activities. He emphasized curriculum reform away from mere textbook-based learning, including gender studies, and the need for discussion on whether to continue gender-exclusive schools as bringing boys and girls together is the first step in ensuring equality.
The uniform was designed was selected based on the inputs of Vidya Mukundan, who is a designer based in Kochi. The headmistress of the school, KP Suma spoke on how the students are excited about the new uniform and now the girl students will now feel more comfortable and confident in taking part in extracurricular activities. It was also highlighted how girls who earlier faced difficulties in engaging in sports and dance because skirts are not suitable for such, will now have the opportunity to participate without having outfit worries. So far, there is no law discussed in this regard for furthering the idea over the state.
A similar move in ensuring gender equality was observed earlier this year when the Kerala government clarified and issued a circular on how there is no law mandating women teachers to wear saree to schools after reports and complaints on how some institutions were asking them to do so.
