Fostering gender awareness in general education schools - GenSchool
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Project background
Gender equality is one of the core values in Estonian national curriculum. However, gender neutral education has not ensured equal opportunities for boys and girls: educational outcomes of girls are better, drop-outs rate is higher among boys; income rates on the other hand are paradoxically higher among men, and the career choices of youth are rather gender based. Research shows that teachers lack awareness and knowledge to tackle the issues of gender equality in schools, and it can result in reproduction of gender stereotypes and discrimination.
The aim of the project is to raise awareness of gender aspects in teaching and school organisation at practical level, and to promote of gender equality as a part of whole school development.
Project activities
- 3 regional theme seminars for 80 teachers of human studies and career coordinators from Estonian general education schools
- School development applying learning community method in 4 general education schools during school year 2014/2015
- Dissemination of good experience and practice from learning communities (stories, process and case descriptions, methodological and practical advice) via project web page (incl. photos, videos) and final event (day of good practice).
The project is innovative due to the whole school development perspective and the integration of gender equality issues with other aspects of educational innovation (gender mainstreaming). Also, we will give an active role in planning and implementing project activities to the ultimate target group of education – the students.
The project is co-financed by Norwegian Grants 2009–2014 programme for mainstreaming gender equality and promoting work-life balance. Programme is operated by Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs.
Partners: Society of Human Studies, Foundation Innove
Project duration: 20.10.2014 – 31.03.2016
Project budget: 49 885 EUR