Q. Scope of multicultural education
Five approaches to multicultural education:
a. Advocates of the Teaching the Culturally Different approach attempt to raise the academic achievement of students through culturally relevant instruction.
b. In the Human Relations approach students are taught about commonalties of all people through understanding their social and cultural differences but not their differences in institutional and economic power.
c. The Single Group Studies approach is about the histories and contemporary issues of oppression of different people, women, low socioeconomic groups, and gays and lesbians.
d. The Multicultural Education approach promotes the transformation of the educational process to reflect the ideals of democracy in a pluralistic society. Students are taught content using instructional methods that value cultural knowledge and differences.
e. Educators who use the Social Deconstructionists approach to multicultural education go a step further to teach students about oppression and discrimination. Students learn about their roles as social change agents so that they may participate in the generation of a more equitable society.
Role of teacher
1) Teacher should provide all students with opportunities to participate in extra- and co-curricular activities that develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that increase academic achievement and foster positive interracial relationships.
2) Teachers should help students acquire the social skills needed to interact effectively with students from other racial, ethnic, cultural, and language groups.
3) Teacher should provide opportunities for students from different racial, ethnic, cultural, and language groups to interact socially under conditions designed to reduce fear and anxiety.
4) Teachers should use multiple culturally sensitive techniques to assess complex cognitive and social skills.
Conclusion
Diversity in the nation’s schools is both an opportunity and a challenge. The nation is enriched by the ethnic, cultural, and language diversity among its citizens and within its schools.
However, whenever diverse groups interact, intergroup tension, stereotypes, and institutionalized discrimination develop. Schools must find ways to respect the diversity of their students as well as help to create a unified nation-state to which all of the nation’s citizens have allegiance.
