Kerala SCERT to Revise Textbooks with Gender Equality Focus

Thiruvananthapuram: As part of the revision of higher secondary textbooks in the state, the content will ensure gender justice and gender equality. To achieve this, the existing textbooks will undergo a gender audit. The goal is to make the new textbooks fully gender-friendly. A similar gender audit was conducted during the preparation of the new curriculum and textbooks for classes 1 to 10.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) is revising the higher secondary textbooks after a gap of 13 years. A total of 80 titles, including language subjects, will be revised. SCERT will ensure that the lessons, photographs, and illustrations included in the new textbooks are gender-sensitive. Making school and college education in Kerala entirely gender-friendly is a policy objective of the LDF government.

Unlike in the past, when textbooks were prepared solely by academicians, the new textbooks are now being developed by incorporating public opinion. Feedback is also being collected from students. The initiative was officially launched recently in Thiruvananthapuram. In the coming days, discussions will be held across various sectors. During these consultations, suggestions will also be sought specifically on incorporating gender equality into the textbooks.