Gender Equality Taskforce in Education and Learning

Overview

This taskforce will identify measures to address the gender inequality which remains evident in education and learning settings.

It will advise on potential changes in practice and actions to support a gender equal experience of education and learning for all girls and young women.   

Remit:

The role of the taskforce is to drive action which will ensure that:

• girls and young women in Scotland have a gender equal experience of education and learning from early years settings, through primary, secondary and in community learning, in an environment which is free from sexism, sexual harassment and gender based violence
• from the outset, approaches to subject choice and paths to employment are developed with a gendered lens
• that women staff in education settings work and progress in an environment which is compliant with health and safety regulations, free from sexism, sexual harassment and gender based violence
• outcomes align with a preventative approach to Gender Based Violence (as outlined in Equally Safe) and which provides a gender equal experience of education for all learners

Background

The taskforce was established in February 2020 to fulfil one of the recommendations made by the First Minister’s NACWG to: 'establish a commission on gender equality in education and learning, covering early years, primary and secondary education and learning tasked with providing bold and far-reaching recommendations on how gender equality can be embedded in all aspects of learning (from teacher training, to school behaviours/cultures, to the curriculum and community leadning and development (CLD) practice).'

Strategic Goals

The Taskforce has three strategic goals which guide its work:

That girls and young women in school, early years and CLD settings are:

• being taught by education professionals who are well-supported, confident and effective at promoting women and girls’ equality and rights, in settings steered by gender competent leaders, and where gender barriers in the profession have been broken down
• not experiencing sexism, sexual harassment or gender based violence in the classroom or other educational setting
• freely choosing subjects and areas of study from a gender transformative curriculum, including those traditionally dominated by boys and men

Members

• Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, Co-Chair
• Kathryn Dawson, Rape Crisis Scotland, Co-Chair

Gender equality expert organisations

• Close the Gap
• Zero Tolerance

Education stakeholder organisations

• Education Scotland
• Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
• His Majesty's Inspectorate of Education in Scotland (HMIe)
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
• Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES)
• Scottish Council of Deans of Education (SCDE)
• Community Learning and Development (CLD) Standards Council
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
• Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS)
• National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)

Scottish Government

• Early Learning & Childcare
• Education Reform
• Emma Bunting, Equality in Education (Secretariat)
• Catherine Law, Equality in Education (Secretariat)

 

Publications

Gender Equality Taskforce in Education and Learning: terms of reference

Gender equality in education: Scottish Youth Parliament research

Gender Equality Taskforce in Education and Learning: response to reports

Gender equality in education and learning: Children's Parliament report

Gender Equality Taskforce in Education and Learning: Theory of Change report