Ungagging the child : students perceptions of gender-related issues in a primary school using a participatory learning approach

This essay seeks to address three questions: (1) what gender related issues do primary school students identify as problems for themselves in the school context, (2) why do we need to ask the child for their viewpoint, (3) and how can we effectively hear the voice of the child? By describing the student as subject, object, and participant, the author seeks to listen to year 6 primary school students' views on gender as an issue that affects them in the school context. The methodological approach used draws on PRA techniques and maintains that the subject/participant is the best person to identify the problems they experience as well as recommend practical and effective solutions to the problems they identified.