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Understanding Diversity

Children with different physical features may not affect the classroom processes
directly but may have implications for classroom dynamics. Like, tall children
Notes are often selected for sports,children with a fair complexion may generate more
appreciative comments whereas a particular colour or shape of eyes may not
be easily accepted by others. A child with fair complexion may be the first choice
of the teacher for the role of king/queen/fairy, making other children think that
kings/queens/fairies are only fair skinned. This creates stereotypes that are
avoidable. Diversity in physical traits associated with race, is a natural
phenomenon and needs to be accepted.

Caste: In India, caste is a system of classification determined by birth. Caste
can be defined as a system of rigid social categories characterized by hereditary
status and social barriers sanctioned by custom, law, or religion. In the Indian
context, caste refers to a social group to which membership is decided by birth.
Members of a caste group are usually endogamous in that they tend to marry
among themselves. Castes are broadly divided into:

o Scheduled Castes

o Scheduled Tribes

o Other Backward Classes
o Forward Classes

Socially, the caste system involves division of people into social groups (castes)
where duties and rights are determined by birth with hardly any flexibility. The
basic rights and duties among various castes is both unequal and hierarchical.

The school, a place of education, should propagate equality and equity and
promote no discrimination based on caste. Some issues faced by schools
pertaining to discrimination are during distribution of mid-day meal, seating
arrangement, and involvement of children in learning activities. Another not
avoidable a practice observed is related to the school site. If the place where
the school is to be setup is near the residence of lower caste people, people
from upper castes may not be willing to send their children. In a reverse
situation, children from lower castes may feel shy, discouraged and hesitant to
study in schools located close to the residence of upper caste people.

Multi-lingualism: In India, each state has its own language. It is not just the
accent, but the dialect that also changes from region to region. Multi-lingualism
is the act of using, or promoting the use of, multiple languages, either by an
individual speaker or by a community of speakers. The ability to speak in more
than one language is appreciated and respected globally.

With increased mobility of people in search of work and food, children from
different geographical regions speaking different languages end up studying
together. With the Right to Education, all children are expected to be in school.

188 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION