3 WAYS FOR TEACHERS TO REDUCE GENDER BIAS AT SCHOOL (EXPOSITORY ESSAY) - BY AMNIE SYAKIRAH

 

(EXPOSITORY ESSAY)

3 WAYS FOR TEACHERS TO REDUCE GENDER BIAS AT SCHOOL

          Gender discrimination has been around for many centuries and people in our country, Malaysia also experienced at least one form of gender discrimination that happens in things such as education, sports, the workplace, and so on. This essay will go through gender discrimination that happens in education, obviously at school or in a classroom. There are numerous ways for teachers to reduce gender bias at school such as addressing students equally, avoiding separating students based on their gender, and expanding students’ dreams.

 

           First of all, teachers should address all of their students equally. Instead of calling them “girls and boys”, try to use “students” or “children”. By using this method for calling them, the teacher will avoid gender bias in class and at the same time, teachers can interact fairly with all of the students. If teachers use pet names like "buddy", "honey", "sweetheart", or "mate", students will feel like the teacher treats boys as tough guys and girls as soft people. To prevent this from happening, teachers should learn about their students as individuals as we know that every child is unique and has different interests, strengths and challenges.

 

           Next, teachers need to avoid separating students based on their gender, especially in a group activity or discussion. This can be done by encouraging boys and girls to play or work together in a group and also exposing them to the importance of gender equality from an early age. Other than that, students have an opportunity to practice communicating with each other even with different genders. Therefore, by avoiding separation between boys and girls, teachers can reduce gender discrimination in the classroom as they can teach and treat male or female students equally.

 

           Lastly, teachers should expand students’ role models or dreams. Try to use gender-neutral words for professions such as firefighter, police officer, nurse, or fashion designer. Nowadays, we can see that not only a man became police officers, and not the only woman became fashion designers. This proves that, whether boys or girls, they have the right to choose their dreams. In addition, teachers need to support every student’s dream and not judge them for their dreams.

 

           To conclude, gender discrimination in education is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Schools need to provide an environment where children can feel safe and not feel like they are neglected by the teachers because of their gender they were.