Training for authors of school textbooks on the methodology of anti-discrimination and gender expertise

Work continues in Kyrgyzstan on the implementation of anti-discrimination and gender expertise of school textbooks

From 26-28 May 2021, training in methodology for an antidiscrimination and gender analysis of textbooks is being held in Bishkek, organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, namely the Republican Scientific-Practical Centre “Okuu kitebi at the Ministry of Education and Science in partnership with the “DatkAiyym – Let’s promote gender equality in a new way” project being implemented by the “Agency of Social Technologies” (Kyrgyzstan) (Kyrgyzstan) and the Center for Creative Development “Danilo Dolci” (Italy) with the financial support of the European Union, as well as UNICEF within the “Ray of Light” initiative implemented by the European Union and the United Nations.

More than 40 authors of school educational and methodical complexes in various subjects, including from Osh, Batken, Jalal-Abad and Issyk-Kul provinces, and specialists of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center “Okuu kitebi” took part in the training. under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic. The training is conducted in Russian and Kyrgyz languages.

Training participants will become familiar with the conceptual foundations and methodology of anti-discrimination and gender expertise of CMC, increase their understanding of the importance and necessity of considering human rights issues, gender, social inclusion, and non-discrimination in CMC, and learn practical tools of anti-discrimination and gender expertise in the example of their CMC projects.

The Ministry of Education together with the gender experts of the civil society and in cooperation with development partners during the last two years a lot of work has been done, in particular the methodology of anti-discrimination and gender expertise of textbooks of teaching materials has been developed, tested and approved, the order and procedures of expertise, the order of formation of the list of experts to conduct this expertise (Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the KR from “16” September 2019 № 1096/1).

In accordance with the Action Plan for 2018-2020 on implementation of the Education Development Strategy in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2012-2020 indicators of budget support from the EU to the education sector were developed, including the indicator for Goal 3, “Ensuring equal access to quality education regardless of gender or ethnicity” – indicator/ condition 3.3 Implementation of anti-discrimination and gender expertise of new educational standards, curricula and materials (the amount of budget support for this indicator – 8.8 m

At the opening of the training Mr. Nicollo Scaramuzzo, Acting Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation, made a welcoming speech. In his speech he noted that the topic of the training was in line with such priorities of the EU Delegation in Kyrgyzstan as support to the education sector and support for gender equality. Gender equality is one of the key values of the European Union and a universally recognized human right, as well as the need for well-being, economic growth, good governance, peace and security.

During the welcoming speech the Director of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center “Okuu kitebi Mr. Kiyalbek Akmatov and a representative of the Initiative “Spotight” Ms. Jypargul Turmamatova noted the importance of quality implementation of the initiative of the Kyrgyz government represented by the Ministry of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan to introduce a mandatory procedure of anti-discrimination and gender expertise of school textbooks.

Director of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center “Okuu kitebi” under the Ministry of Education and Science, Mr. Kyialbek Akmatov

Representative of the SpotLight Initiative Mrs. Jypargul Turmamatova

Training in the methodology of anti-discrimination and gender expertise of textbooks for all key actors involved in the development and publication of new textbooks – employees of the Ministry of Education and Science, authors, editors and specialists of publishing houses, teachers, experts – is a prerequisite for the successful implementation of the anti-discrimination and gender expertise of textbooks, and ultimately – will help to ensure that education in Kyrgyzstan is free from discrimination and reproduction of stereotypes based on

Expert trainer Mrs. Davletova Chynara Samakovna

At the end of the training, all participants expressed their gratitude to the organizers, noting the importance and relevance of the topics raised for modern society and the education sector of Kyrgyzstan, and were awarded certificates of training in the methodology of anti-discrimination and gender expertise of the UMK.