Equal Measures: The Power of Inclusive School Systems

The discourse at the intersection of education and gender surrounds girls’ enrolments, dropouts, or career choices. Often something crucial remains undiscussed—their experiences in school. Schools can be the strongest foundation of growth, learning and aspiration-building for impressionable adolescents. But not every student experiences school the same way. As a result of age-old limiting gender norms and ideas, several hegemonic practices often turn schools into discriminatory spaces for some adolescents.

For over a decade, Breakthrough has been working with parents, school leaders and teachers to build school environments that are inclusive and offer positive learning experiences. We promote Good School Indicators that aim to create schools that are free of discriminatory practices, corporal punishment, bullying and violence of any kind. We work with parents and educators to strengthen School Management Committees (SMCs) and Student Councils (SCs) so adolescents’ issues and voices are platformed and prioritised, and educational spaces that are conducive to their holistic growth are gradually built. Encouraging regular meetings and building awareness among SMC members about their roles has laid a stronger foundation for collaboration in school management. 

“I never had the opportunity to complete my education as I got married when I was 17 years old and had my first daughter at 18. But due to Breakthrough’s efforts, I was able to become an SMC member and help girls in my village to complete their education till 12th standard.” 
– An SMC member from Karnal, Haryana

Recognising the power of school systems in promoting and instilling values of equality, we began working at scale in 2021, in collaboration with state governments to enhance positive learning environments within school systems. In Punjab and Odisha, we have worked on school curricula and trained resource persons within the education department who, in turn, train teachers to root for a more positive, impartial environment in their classrooms. In such an environment, all students, especially girls, feel supported to actively participate in class, challenge stereotypes, and confidently engage in their education. We are also applying our learnings from Punjab and Odisha towards our scale-up work budding in other states!

Our work in the schools and with the various stakeholders leaves us with moments of immense pride towards the nuanced change it makes possible. It might even change a teacher’s perspective, as we saw with Rajni Latava, a teacher in Padiala. “Through my participation in the Chanan Rishman (programme in Punjab), I have developed a whole new perspective on society and how it treats women. I recognise the subtle but powerful currents of gender bias and inequality that runs through our society,” she shared. And having recognised this in her own life, Rajini became one of the thousands of teachers in Punjab, championing equality within classrooms and in their own lives. 

An adolescent’s educational environment leaves a large imprint on their future. Slowly but surely, this work builds strong foundations that champion equal, inclusive and dignified environments to inspire the next generation of sensitive citizens.

Breakthrough works on culture change by shifting social norms that limit women and girls from reaching their full potential. We work with adolescents and young people aged 11-25 years aiming for an entire generation to shift and push for change. Over time, we have worked with more than 2.3 million adolescents and young people, aged 11 to 25, to encourage aspiration, agency, leadership and negotiation through our work in schools and communities. We also support them with media tools that shape public narratives.

This has resulted in a generation of young people shifting to think and act in confident, intentional ways. Girls are negotiating to stay in school, delaying marriage, exercising choices around life goals, stepping into non-traditional career paths. Boys are stepping up to contribute, support and uphold equal rights for all.

This gives hope that a more equal world is possible for future generations.