-Website availability:
https://wp.borgo.is/wp-content/uploads/KYN2A05.pdf
-Title: Gender studies
-Country: Iceland
-Topics/areas:
☒ Implementing CDC in VET schools
☒ Inclusion
Key information:
-Intensity (time allocated to the activity): 20-60 hours in class over one school term + homework
-Focus (what does it aim to achieve): Understanding and promotion of gender equality, social justice and diversity
-Place of activity (VET school-based or enterprise-based): VET school based
-When was it introduced: the first school to introduce a gender study course started it in 2007 as a choice. Since the first Me-too movement (2017) upper secondary schools in Iceland have increasingly put gender studies into their curriculum, either as a free-standing course or a part of a life skills course.
-Impact (if evaluated): An important pillar in the education system towards increasing understanding and tolerance
- Reflections/lessons learnt: They are several but probably the most important one with regards to students pursuing vocational education is the following: Boys who pursue male dominated vocational education (such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing and mechanics) might be the least interested in the idea of taking a mandatory gender study course but are at the same time likely to be among those that benefit the most and become an important driving force in change towards more balanced work places with regards to equality for all.
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During the past years Icelandic upper secondary schools (gymnasiums) have put more emphasis than before on gender studies for their young students regardless of if it is a purely academic school (preparation for university) or provides a mix of vocational and academic studies (there are no schools in Iceland that provide solely vocational education). The Me-too movement has most certainly been a contributing factor to the understanding of the need to inform young people of all genders about gender equality, diversity, tolerance, etc. Whereas some schools provide the gender studies education as a part of a mandatory life skills course some have opted to make a full course (up to 60 hours (plus homework)) that focuses solely on gender and equality studies. An example of a curriculum for such course is to be found here: https://wp.borgo.is/wp-content/uploads/KYN2A05.pdf This has been possible partly due to a solid gender study program at the University of Iceland at graduate level. |