New Delhi/ Gurugram, 27 June 2024: Breakthrough, an organization making gender-based violence unacceptable by transforming the culture that permits violence, has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Haryana Department of Education to integrate its flagship gender curriculum, ‘Taaron Ki Toli’ (TKT), into the state’s educational framework for the next three years. This initiative aims to reshape gender attitudes, aspirations, and behaviours among students in grades six to eight.
Following the MoU, a day-long event on ‘Towards Gender Transformative Schools and Women and Child Friendly Panchayats was held in the state capital. The event focused on how gender transformative schools and women and child friendly panchayats are interrelated and important in creating a community which is gender just. Institutions such as Schools and gram panchayats are extremely important in shifting and shaping social norms.
Anurag Dhalia, Assistant Director, Department of Education, Haryana said:
“The integration of the ‘Taaron Ki Toli’ curriculum represents a significant step towards fostering a more equitable educational environment in the state. By addressing gender biases early on, we are equipping our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to challenge and overcome societal inequalities. I believe this partnership with Breakthrough will lead to significant changes in the gender attitudes, behaviours and overall understanding of students, teachers and parents.
Breakthrough’s ‘Taaron Ki Toli’ is a comprehensive school-based program targeting adolescent girls and boys aged 11 to 14. The curriculum is designed to foster psychological, interpersonal, and social skills, utilizing interactive methods such as games, songs, drawing, and other engaging activities. These methods facilitate discussions on critical issues like gender stereotypes, roles at home, girls’ education, women’s employment, and harassment. The program aims to embed a gender-sensitive perspective within the middle school curriculum, tailored to the contextual needs of the school education system in the state.
Nayana Chowdhury, Senior Director, Head of Programs at Breakthrough said:
“This MoU is a landmark achievement in our mission to create a gender-equal world. I strongly believe that this partnership will ensure that the next generation of students is equipped with the values and understanding necessary to break down gender barriers and foster equality. Through comprehensive training for educators and a curriculum that engages students in critical discussions about gender roles and stereotypes, we are laying the foundation for a more inclusive society.
As part of this partnership, Breakthrough will serve as the gender technical partner to the Department of Education, Haryana, and will be responsible for training teachers in 125 schools across the state. This initiative will include comprehensive training modules aimed at enhancing gender sensitivity and building the capacity of educators to effectively deliver the TKT curriculum.
Arty Senior Manager and State Lead of Haryana, Program team, Breakthrough said:
“The ‘Taaron Ki Toli’ curriculum has already demonstrated significant impact in changing gender attitudes among adolescents. This initiative will not only benefit individual students but will also contribute to the broader cultural shift needed to eradicate gender-based discrimination and violence.”
