Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Education addresses concerns about integrating gender education into school and college curricula and promoting gender sensitization among teachers and students. This response references the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and subsequent initiatives by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the University Grants Commission (UGC). These initiatives include curriculum development, teacher training, awareness programs, and studies on the impact of gender education, with ongoing efforts to remove biases and stereotypes from educational materials. A national-level study was conducted in 2021-23.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:**
* Sensitization of students through teachers, social workers, and an inclusive school curriculum.
* Inclusion of material on human values such as respect, empathy, tolerance, human rights, gender equality, nonviolence, global citizenship, inclusion, and equity.
* Removal of biases and stereotypes from the school curriculum.
* Gender sensitization as part of teacher education programs.
* **NCERT Initiatives:**
* Development of the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF FS), 2022 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE), 2023.
* Integration of gender concerns into newly developed textbooks.
* Removal of gender biases and stereotypes in school curriculum.
* Introduction of gender-sensitive materials in age-appropriate grades.
* Development of Teacher Training Material titled "Training Material for Teacher Educators on Gender Equality and Empowerment" in three volumes.
* **Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS):**
* Regular organization of training programs for teachers on gender sensitivity.
* Student participation in activities promoting awareness (debates, essays, plays, etc.).
* Self-defense training for all students of middle and secondary levels.
* **University Grants Commission (UGC):**
* Notification of UGC Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions Regulations, 2015.
* SAKSHAM Portal for empowering women with support and information.
* Toll-free number 1800111656 for registering grievances.
* Guidelines for providing a safe environment for women in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs).
* Orientation and Sensitization Programme under Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP).
* **Other Initiatives:**
* NISHTHA Module 16 addresses gender concerns in school education.
* Sensitization program on integrating transgender concerns in schooling processes on 4th June, 2025.
* National-level study on the impact of government initiatives for prevention of child sexual abuse and gender equality conducted in 2021-23.
Impact Analysis:
* **Students:**
* Impact: Increased sensitization towards gender equality, reduced exposure to gender stereotypes, safer educational environment, and increased awareness of rights and redressal mechanisms.
* Action Required: Participate in awareness programs and utilize redressal mechanisms if needed.
* **Teachers:**
* Impact: Enhanced training and resources to promote gender sensitivity and inclusivity in the classroom.
* Action Required: Participate in training programs, implement gender-sensitive teaching practices, and create inclusive classroom environments.
* **Educational Institutions (Schools and Colleges):**
* Impact: Need to implement policies and programs to promote gender equality, prevent sexual harassment, and provide a safe environment for all students.
* Action Required: Implement UGC regulations, establish women's cells, conduct awareness campaigns, and provide basic facilities for a safe environment.
* **NCERT:**
* Impact: Responsible for developing and updating curriculum and textbooks to integrate gender concerns and remove biases.
* Action Required: Continue developing gender-sensitive materials, conducting studies on the impact of gender education, and providing resources for teachers.
* **KVS and UGC:**
* Impact: Responsible for organizing training programs and implementing policies to promote gender sensitivity and prevent sexual harassment.
* Action Required: Continue conducting training programs, implementing policies, and monitoring their effectiveness.
Key Entities Referenced
National Education Policy: A comprehensive framework by the Ministry of Education, guiding the development of education in India, emphasizing inclusivity, equity, and quality.
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT): An autonomous organization responsible for curriculum development, textbook creation, and teacher training in India, integrating gender concerns into educational materials.
National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE): A framework developed by NCERT to guide the development of syllabi and textbooks for school education in India, promoting gender equality and inclusivity.
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS): A system of central government schools in India that regularly conducts training programs for teachers on gender sensitivity.
University Grants Commission (UGC): A statutory body in India responsible for the coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards of higher education, issuing regulations for prevention of sexual harassment in higher educational institutions.
UGC Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions Regulations, 2015: Regulations notified by the UGC to address sexual harassment in universities and colleges across India.
Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP): A teacher training program that includes themes like gender studies, gender equality, and examining bias in curriculum and textbooks.
Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Goa, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Manipur: Nine states of India where the Impact Assessment Study of Select Initiatives of Government of India for Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Gender Equality was conducted.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3459
ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
Integrated Gender Education
3459. Ms. S Jothimani:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has plans to introduce any programmes to integrate gender
education into school and college curricula in the country;
(b) if so, the details of such initiatives;
(c) the details of steps taken to promote gender sensitization among teachers and students at
the primary, secondary and higher education levels;
(d) whether the Government is planning to conduct awareness campaigns to challenge gender
stereotypes in educational institutions and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government has conducted any national-level studies or assessments on the
impact of gender education in reducing gender discrimination and violence; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (f) National Education Policy, at para 6.20, provides, students will be sensitized through
this new school culture, brought in by teachers, trained social workers and counsellors as well as
through corresponding changes to bring in an inclusive school curriculum. The school curriculum will
include, early on, material on human values such as respect for all persons, empathy, tolerance,
human rights, gender equality, non-violence, global citizenship, inclusion, and equity. It would also
include more detailed knowledge of various cultures, religions, languages, gender identities, etc. to
sensitize and develop respect for diversity. Any biases and stereotypes in school curriculum will be
removed, and more material will be included that is relevant and relatable to all communities.Further, NEP 2020, at para 6.14, provides that the awareness and knowledge of how to teach
children with specific disabilities (including learning disabilities) will be an integral part of
all teacher education programmes, along with gender sensitization and sensitization towards
all underrepresented groups in order to reverse their underrepresentation.
As a follow-up of NEP 2020, the National Council of Educational Research and Training
(NCERT) has developed the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-
FS), 2022 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), 2023.
NCERT has also constituted Curricular Area Groups to undertake the development of syllabi
and textbooks for school education. NCERT has integrated gender concerns into all its newly
developed textbooks, from the foundational stage to the middle stage. The NCERT has made
every attempt to remove gender biases and stereotypes in the school curriculum and has
introduced gender-sensitive materials in age-appropriate grades. The textbooks, such as
Mridang, Shehnai, Sarangi, Joyful Mathematics, Curiosity, Exploring Society: India and
Beyond, Khel Yog, Khel Yatra, and other textbooks, include content and visuals that are
gender-sensitive and represent women, girls, and transgender individuals in unconventional
roles and alternative professions.
NCERT has developed Teacher Training Material titled Training Material for Teacher
Educators on Gender Equality and Empowerment, published in three volumes: Vol. I:
Perspectives on Gender and Society, Vol. II: Gender and Schooling Processes, and Vol. III:
Gender and Women’s Empowerment. Many of the themes resonate with the concerns
highlighted in NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023. Some of the themes covered include Textbook
Pedagogy and Gender Concerns, Creating Gender-Friendly Classrooms, Mental Health of
Adolescent Girls, Life Skills Education in Schools, Gender and Violence, Nurturing Sports
and Physical Education for Girls and Women, and other related topics.
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) regularly organizes training programmes for teachers
on gender sensitivity as part of in-service courses, workshops, and orientation programmes.
Students participate in activities such as debates, essay competitions, poster-making, Nukkad
Natak (street plays), and celebration of International Women’s Day, etc., to promote
awareness. Self-defence training is imparted for all students of middle and secondary level.
University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and
Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher EducationalInstitutions) Regulations, 2015, which are statutory in nature and therefore, binding on
Universities and Colleges. SAKSHAM Portal, developed to empower women by providing
support and information on redressal mechanisms, and promoting gender justice and equality.
UGC has provided a toll-free number (1800-111-656) for registering grievances related to
women and sexual harassment.
The guidelines titled “Basic Facilities and Amenities for a Safe, Secure Environment for
Women and Women Cells (for sensitization, policy implementation, monitoring, and
grievance redressal) in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs)” issued by the UGC,
emphasize that providing a safe, secure, and violence-free environment, particularly for
women students, is the utmost responsibility of institutions.
The Orientation and Sensitization Programme conducted under Malaviya Mission Teacher
Training Programme (MMTTP), aims to orient and sensitize faculty members in Higher
Educational Institutions (HEIs). The themes of the programme include, Gender Studies,
Gender equality, Caste, Class, Gender in the classroom: examining bias in curriculum,
textbooks etc.
The National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA)
Module 16: “Relevance of Gender Dimensions in Teaching and Learning Process” addresses
gender concerns in school education. Recently, Department of Gender Studies, NCERT
conducted a one-day sensitization program on integrating transgender concerns in schooling
processes on 4th June, 2025 for teachers and faculty from KVS, District Institute of Education
and Training (DIETs), State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), and
Regional Institute of Education (RIEs) of Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysore, and
Shillong.
The NCERT has conducted a national-level study titled "Impact Assessment Study of Select
Initiatives of Government of India for Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Gender
Equality" in the year 2021-23. The study was conducted in nine states of India viz. Himachal
Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Goa, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Manipur.
****