About the Handbook

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) entrusted the task of developing a Teachers' Handbook on inculcating the need for non-discrimination based on sex, caste, religion, disability and related concerns at school level. I am grateful to Justice J.S. Verma, Chairperson, NHRC, for reposing confidence in the NCTE in carrying out this task. Towards the execution of this assignment, the NCTE identified Prof. A.K. Sharma as the academic nodal point on behalf of the NCTE with Prof. Mool Chand Sharma as the academic nodal point on behalf of the NHRC.

In pursuance thereof, the NCTE drafted a detailed proposal on how it proposed to carry out the task outlining the various activities, etc. This proposal was discussed with the NHRC, which approved the same. The NCTE associated a team of experts consisting of Prof. Usha Nayar, Prof. Karuna Chanana, Prof. M.N.G. Mani and Prof. D.P. Maini with this task. On account of some unforeseen academic commitments, Prof. Karuna Chanana expressed her inability to be available for this work. Accordingly, Prof. G.G. Wankhede was associated for developing this Handbook, in her place. Dr. Meena Gautam, Deputy Secretary (Academic), NCTE, handled efficiently the coordination and implementation of this project.

The first meeting of the core writing team was held on 22^nd October, 2001 at the NCTE and on the following day at the NHRC. After deliberating upon various issues, the methodology for operationalizing the project and the strategy for developing various aspects of the Teachers' Handbook was discussed at length. It was decided that initially the areas of discrimination as given in the proposal should be handled independently by the concerned expert members of the writing team and later on a synthesis could be developed for presenting a holistic picture of the overall theme. It was also decided that the Constitution of India should be the main basis for reference and addressing the dimensions of discrimination. So far as discrimination based on disability is concerned, the reference should be to the Persons with Disability Act 1995 and the provisions contained therein. The Teachers' Handbook should cover the school stages upto class 10^th, i.e., secondary level.

All the members of the core writing team were requested to prepare an outline of their frame of conceptualization in regard to the area assigned to them. The second meeting was held on 16^th November, 2001 to discuss the drafts related to conceptualization of the parameters related to the Handbook. The experts of the Core Writing Team were requested to develop their draft chapters in respective areas of discrimination and hold workshops by inviting experts, school teachers and others concerned. Workshops were organized by the members of the writing team as has been

detailed in the Annexures. In the execution of this task, Prof. A.K. Sharma has been maintaining close interaction with the experts, discussing the required inputs for the Handbook and sharing the same with Prof. Mool Chand Sharma from time to time.

The NCTE is conscious of the importance of the concepts related to discrimination and since the school curriculum has to be effectively linked with the curriculum of teacher preparation, the importance of this Handbook becomes quite significant. It will help teachers to develop the required mind set towards the issues related to sex, caste, religion and disability. The NCTE will ensure that the ideas and strategies described in the Handbook are made an integral part of teacher education curriculum and the co-curricular activities organized in institutions connected with teacher preparation. The design of the curriculum and its transaction will have to focus on educational effects or learning outcomes and their internalization among children belonging to different social, economic and cultural background.

The NCTE would make available this Handbook to its recognized institutions so that the teacher educators become aware of their expected commitment to foster the need for inherent equality by consciously keeping away prejudices based on sex, caste, religion and disability while handling teaching-learning situations.

 A.N. Maheshwari
Chairperson, NCTE

January 1, 2003
New Delhi