We want FAIR teaching in secondary schools! A proposal for the Feminist Reconstruction of philosophy teaching was submitted
Today we submitted a proposal to the Institute for the Improvement of Education to enhance the teaching of philosophy in high schools by introducing a gender perspective and feminist deconstruction. This proposal represents an important step toward modernizing the philosophy curriculum, with the goal of integrating topics of gender equality and feminist theory into secondary education. It was developed in response to the recognized absence of such content in the current educational system and as a result of our team’s dedicated fieldwork.
Action Research in Southern Serbia
The proposal is based on action research conducted by the Center for Girls in four municipalities in southern Serbia – Bela Palanka, Bujanovac, Vlasotince, and Niš. The research was carried out within the project “FeR: Through Philosophy to the EU”, funded by the European Union through the “See You in the EU” program, and implemented by the National Coalition for Decentralization in partnership with the Human Rights Committee Niš and Proaktiv. Through fieldwork in high schools and vocational schools, data and experiences were collected from teachers and students to ensure the proposed innovations are adaptable and responsive to the local context. This participatory approach guarantees that the proposal is grounded in the real needs of the educational process and community.
Gender Equality in Philosophy Education
The proposal includes the incorporation of gender equality topics and feminist deconstruction into contemporary philosophy classes in high schools. Specifically, this means that students would have the opportunity to learn about and discuss key feminist concepts, the social aspects of gender inequality, and the ways in which philosophy can be used to critically examine patriarchal structures. As teaching material, the proposal recommends the use of the book “Feminism for the 99%” – a contemporary feminist manifesto that explains, in an accessible way, the connections between feminism, the economy, and social justice. By introducing this content, philosophy would become a subject through which students develop a deeper understanding of social equality and cultivate critical thinking about contemporary issues.
Research Team from the Center for Girls
The proposal was created by the research team of the Center for Girls, composed of our dedicated members: Jana Krstić, Jelena Joksimović, Natalija Petrović, Saška Stanković, and Bojana Vuletić. Over the past months, this team worked diligently on planning and conducting the research, analyzing the results, and developing concrete recommendations for the philosophy curriculum. Their expertise in gender studies and activist experience, combined with collaboration with educators, resulted in a comprehensive proposal tailored to the needs of both teachers and students. We emphasize that all team members are also activists committed to feminist values in education, which is clearly reflected in the content of the proposal.
Support the Initiative for FeR Philosophy!
We believe this is a significant step toward an educational system that promotes gender equality, critical thinking, and inclusivity. We invite all readers to support our initiative for FeR Philosophy – feminist and gender-aware philosophy in schools. Your support is invaluable, whether through spreading the word about the submitted proposal, participating in public discussions, or encouraging institutions to embrace these innovations.
Stay tuned – our monograph with a handbook for teachers is coming soon! This publication will be a practical guide for philosophy teachers on how to successfully integrate feminist themes and a gender perspective into their teaching. Together, we can ensure that future generations grow up with a sense of equality and justice – so let’s support FeR Philosophy and build education that works for all of us.
