Gender specific comparative study of the attitude of students towards SUPW at secondary school level in Delhi

Pages: 140-144
Nancy (JIMS, School of Education Jagannath University, Jhajjar, Haryana)

SUPW (Socially Useful Productive Work) is very close to the concept of basic education, given by Mahatma Gandhi, according to which education in and through work is important. SUPW is a prevocational subject at secondary school level that enables students to become self-reliant. But still the subject suffers from ineffective implementation as well as gender stereotypes constrain in the society. The choice of activities for SUPW is mostly different in case of boys and girls. The study clearly proves the prevalence of gender stereotypes in the mind-sets of students that is not only affecting their choice of vocations but also attitude towards the subject like SUPW. Repetitive and traditional activities performed under SUPW are making the subject very boring and burden on the students. Concept clarity about the real meaning of SUPW is required in students’ .The roots of the subject need strengthening and improvisation by transformation of activities under it; to achieve the goal of work centred education and experiential learning irrespective of gender stereotypes.