The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to give a fresh push to gender clubs functioning in its schools, with a four-day orientation programme for teachers and headmasters scheduled on August 28, 29 and September 3 and 4.
Mayor R. Priya will inaugurate the initiative, which is aimed at revamping and expanding the scope of gender sensitisation activities across city schools.
The gender clubs were first launched three years ago by the Gender and Policy Lab in collaboration with GCC, primarily to create awareness among Class 9 and 10 students on equality and inclusivity. Building on positive feedback, the programme is now being extended to Class 8, with long-term plans to gradually reach lower grades as well.
Currently, 130 middle schools and 81 high and higher secondary schools under GCC host active gender clubs.
“The idea is to institutionalise conversations on gender equality in classrooms. When children hear their teachers say, ‘girls and boys are equal’, they are likely to take that discussion back home and influence families,” explained M. Birathiviraj, Deputy Commissioner (revenue and finance, education).
Each school has one or two trained teachers overseeing the clubs, with weekly sessions held every Friday. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including breaking stereotypes, prevention of child abuse under the Pocso Act, menstrual hygiene, cybersecurity, and understanding good and bad touch.
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