MAINTAINING GENDER-NEUTRAL CLASSROOMS: A GLIMPSE TO THE DESIRED TRACHER COMPETENCIES

Abstract

Gender neutrality is the term which connotes to the policies and concerns associated with the practice of considering individuals in socio- cultural milieux, by avoiding their gender or sex in distinguishing their identity and fixing their roles. The learners, irrespective of their futuristic viewpoints, always cherish a cordial relationship with the teacher as the teacher is not only a role model but a companion in their journey to perfection. Perfection cannot always be attributed to the achievements and success in life. Being worthy and humane also means being perfect.In this regard, it is the teacher who substitutes to the process towards perfection.As the name indicates, teacher competencies means a group of skills required for the teachers to handle the learning environment with utmost dexterity. These competencies are the indicators of teacher competence. These skills are essential in every learning scenario so that it carry out the smooth transaction of curriculum. These competencies mainly contribute to the personal as well as creative expression of every individual teacher. It affects the value perspectives, teaching behaviour, teacher behaviour, interpersonal communication and above all, professional development of the teachers. In the present education scenario, which is more or less gender sensitive, every teacher is accountable to possess the essential teacher competencies so as to make the teaching-learning environment gender-neutralIn this paper, the author identifies the major teacher competencies essential for the 21st century learning scenario, so as to make the classroom interaction, gender-neutral. Here the author summarises the major competencies such as knowledge of gender laws, use of gender-neutral language, knowledge of gender responsive and gender neutral pedagogical practices, and setting up of gender-neutralcollaborative and creative spaces in classrooms. This paper throws light into the major concepts associated with the aforesaid competencies.