To mark the United Nations (UN) International Equal Pay Day on 18 September, we have introduced a new optional gender equality unit for our International Primary Curriculum (IPC).
The unit forms part of its ‘SDG Challenge Series’, which gives primary school students the opportunity to develop global competence through learning linked to each of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Gender equality is the focus of SDG 5, and IPC learners at participating schools will learn how to improve the lives and treatment of women and girls around the world through its new multidisciplinary unit.
According to research conducted by the Fawcett Society, 45% of young people experience gender stereotyping that expects them to behave in a certain way. This highlights the importance of learning about gender equality from a young age.
Jacqueline Harmer, Head of the International Primary Curriculum, said: “The international education community has a responsibility to improve students’ capacities to positively impact the world, and I am absolutely delighted to announce the launch of our new IPC unit which focuses on gender equality. It is clear that experiences during childhood have a significant impact on people’s outlook with regards to gender equality, and we have a real opportunity to shift the dial on creating a more equal society through education.”
The new unit will explore gender equality primarily through Creative Arts and Drama. Students will use Drama and Art as tools for research and will be encouraged to explore female representation in both disciplines and how it has changed throughout history, as well as learning about historical figures who have campaigned for gender equality. Teachers will also be empowered to analyse whether there is equal gender representation within their own curriculum.
Jacqueline Harmer added: “By utilising our framework of research influenced and culturally responsive curriculum materials, educators are able to deliver learning experiences that not only improve learners’ opportunities to succeed in later life, but to positively influence the world in the present. I am pleased that IPC learners will now be able to benefit from a learning unit which has been designed to empower girls and women, develop empathy and, importantly, encourage children to use their skills and understanding to positively impact their communities.”
The IPC is delivered to students aged 5 – 11 years old and it supports their Academic, Personal, and International development.
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