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Why US teachers say Trump’s anti-DEI order is silencing them in the classroom – The Times of India

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Why US teachers say Trump’s anti-DEI order is silencing them in the classroom – The Times of India


How Trump’s anti-DEI policy is changing speech in US classrooms

When sixth-grade teacher Sarah Inama returned to her Idaho classroom one morning, she was told that a poster she had displayed for years — reading “Everyone is welcome here” — was now considered a personal political statement. The colorful sign, with letters in varying hues and illustrated hands of different skin tones, had once gone unnoticed. But under new federal guidance issued after President Donald Trump’s return to office, the same message was flagged as potentially violating policy.
This change follows a sweeping executive order signed by President Trump titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling”, which targets diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in US public schools. The order allows the US Department of Education to withhold federal funding from schools that continue to teach what the administration calls “equity ideology.” The implementation of an End DEI portal, where students or parents can report DEI-related content in classrooms, is further amplifying fears among educators.
Why DEI discussions are now seen as controversial in US schools
Inama, who teaches world civilization, told her story to NPR, saying the poster had always encouraged kindness and inclusivity among students. But in a shift she did not anticipate, her principal and vice principal asked her to remove it. As reported by NPR, she was told that teachers are now prohibited from displaying materials that reflect personal or political views, and her poster was classified under this restriction.
After losing sleep over the request, Inama chose to rehang the poster. The decision, according to her, was viewed as insubordination by school administrators. When she escalated her concerns to the district’s chief academic officer, she was told that political climates change, and “what might not have been controversial three or six or nine months ago can be considered controversial now,” as reported by NPR.
West Ada School District confirmed Inama’s account to NPR, stating that the issue was not with the message itself but the visual elements of the poster — specifically the multi-colored letters and diverse skin tones — which were deemed as potentially expressing viewpoints related to identity groups.
How the End DEI portal is changing classroom behavior
For another teacher, identified only as “E.” by NPR to protect her identity, the launch of the End DEI portal was a turning point. She teaches social studies in Oregon and said that hearing about the portal immediately caused anxiety. “I kept thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, what did I say in class today? What was asked in class today? What could be taken out of context in class today?'” she told NPR. From that moment forward, she began altering how she engaged with students, becoming overly cautious and often avoiding politically sensitive questions altogether.
As quoted by NPR, she explained, “There are so many times where I just have to tell them I can’t answer that question or I just change the subject.” She also described having to “cover her butt” while still trying to educate students truthfully.
E. told NPR that she feels as though free speech rights are not equally applied, stating, “It’s becoming easier and easier for certain people to have the right to free speech and for others to be having theirs shut down.” She added that what’s considered acceptable speech in schools has undergone a major shift, particularly with the risk of being reported through the federal portal.
Why some groups celebrate the DEI rollback
While many teachers report a chilling effect on classroom discussions, conservative parent advocacy groups like Moms for Liberty view the federal crackdown on DEI as a long-overdue correction. Co-founder Tina Descovich told NPR that the End DEI portal has allowed concerned parents to flag lessons that allegedly categorize students by race and present some as oppressors and others as victims.
Descovich, speaking to NPR, argued that “we can study history and the atrocities that have happened in American history, but to divide children today in 2025 by race is unacceptable.” However, NPR reported that it found no evidence of such racial division practices in US public schools. Moms for Liberty cited a 2021 incident at a Florida public arts high school where separate meetings were briefly planned for white students and students of color, but the school canceled the meetings and apologized.
How DEI restrictions are tied to wider political movements
Founded during the Covid-19 pandemic, Moms for Liberty initially rallied against mask mandates and school closures. Since then, the group has broadened its focus to include banning books on race, discrimination, sexuality, and LGBTQ rights. According to NPR, the Southern Poverty Law Center labeled the group extremist in 2023, after the National School Board Association requested federal assistance due to rising threats against educators and school board members.
Moms for Liberty dismissed the extremist label, with Descovich telling NPR, “We are not anti-government, but we absolutely have the right, guaranteed in the First Amendment, to address government officials when we think they are not on the right track.” She added that watching political power shift back in their favor has been “incredible,” referring to the group’s presence at recent White House events.
In the months following Trump’s return to office, representatives of Moms for Liberty attended the signing of executive orders dismantling the Department of Education and banning transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports. These events, as NPR noted, signal the group’s growing influence and renewed access to federal policymaking spaces.
Why teachers are left uncertain about what they can say
Despite continuing to teach, Sarah Inama admitted to NPR that the poster incident left her feeling demoralized. She questioned the new norms being established in US public education, saying, “There are only two opinions of that poster: You either believe that everyone is welcome here or you don’t.”
With the End DEI portal and accompanying executive orders now in effect, many teachers like Inama and E. say they feel they are being forced to choose between doing their jobs truthfully and protecting their employment. As reported by NPR, the US Department of Education has not responded to repeated requests for details on how the complaint and penalty process for reported teachers will function.
While supporters of the order see it as a necessary measure to reclaim education from ideological bias, many educators see it as a growing threat to free speech, professional integrity, and the safe exchange of ideas in the classroom.





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JOBS AND EDUCATION

JKSET, LASET 2025 postponed to May 11, admit cards to be released in first week of May: Check official notification and revised schedule here – The Times of India

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April 24, 2025

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JKSET, LASET 2025 postponed to May 11, admit cards to be released in first week of May: Check official notification and revised schedule here – The Times of India


The University of Jammu has officially postponed the Jammu and Kashmir State Eligibility Test (JKSET) 2025 and Ladakh State Eligibility Test (LASET) 2025. As per the revised schedule, both exams will now be conducted on May 11, 2025. The decision to reschedule was taken due to a clash with an examination being held by the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) on the earlier scheduled date, April 27, 2025.
The JKSET and LASET serve as eligibility tests for the post of Assistant Professor in colleges and universities in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The examinations will be conducted by the University of Jammu in two sessions on the same day.

JKSET, LASET 2025: Official notification

The official notification released by the University of Jammu reads, “It is notified for the information of all the concerned that JKSET/LASET-2025 examination earlier scheduled on 27.04.2025 (Sunday) has been postponed due to clash with an Examination of Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) and now shall be held on 11.05.2025 (Sunday).”
The complete notification can be read here.

JKSET, LASET 2025: Revised schedule

Candidates can check the revised schedule for JKSET, LASET as given in the table here:

Event Revised Date
Original Exam Date April 27, 2025
Revised Exam Date May 11, 2025
Admit Card Release Window First week of May

JKSET, LASET 2025: Admit card details

The University of Jammu is expected to issue the admit cards for JKSET and LASET 2025 in the first week of May 2025. Candidates can download their hall tickets from the official website, jujkset.in, using their login credentials. The admit card will include details such as exam centre, roll number, timings, and important instructions.

JKSET, LASET 2025: Exam pattern

The JKSET/LASET exam is designed to evaluate a candidate’s eligibility for teaching positions in higher education institutions. The test will be conducted in two papers:
Paper 1:

  • Common to all candidates
  • Tests general teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness

Paper 2:

  • Subject-specific paper
  • Assesses in-depth knowledge of the chosen subject





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WBBSE Madhyamik Pariksha result 2025 will be released on this date: Check details here – The Times of India

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April 24, 2025

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WBBSE Madhyamik Pariksha result 2025 will be released on this date: Check details here – The Times of India


West Bengal SSC Madhyamik results 2025: The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) has officially announced that the results of the Madhyamik Pariksha (Secondary Examination) 2025 will be declared on May 2, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The announcement will be made through a press conference by the President of the Ad-hoc Committee, WBBSE, as stated in a press note issued on Wednesday.
As per the circular signed by WBBSE Secretary Subrata Ghosh, students will be able to access their results from 9:45 AM onwards on May 2 via multiple official websites and mobile applications. Furthermore, schools will be able to collect mark sheets and certificates from their respective camp offices of the Board from May 2, 2025, 10:00 AM.
Official websites to check results
Students can check their results on the following websites:

  • www.wbbse.wb.gov.in
  • www.wbresults.nic.in
  • www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education

West Bengal Madhyamik result 2025: Steps to download

Candidates can follow the steps mentioned here to download the West Bengal Madhyamik results 2025 from the official website once it is made available:

  • Visit the official result portal: Go to any of the authorised websites such as wbbse.wb.gov.in or wbresults.nic.in, or other listed platforms released by WBBSE.
  • Click on the result link: On the homepage, find and click the link that says “West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2025” or a similar result declaration title.
  • Enter login credentials: Input your roll number and date of birth as mentioned on your admit card in the respective fields.
  • Submit and view result: After verifying the entered details, click on the submit button. Your result will be displayed on the screen.
  • Download and print: Download the result for reference and take a printout for official use until the original mark sheet is issued by your school.





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Will AI dismantle gender gatekeeping in tech or simply repaint the gates? – The Times of India

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6 hours ago

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April 24, 2025

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Will AI dismantle gender gatekeeping in tech or simply repaint the gates? – The Times of India


Every few decades, the saga of technology introduces a new tool that promises to redefine the existing narratives. The printing press, the internet, the smartphone—each claimed to democratise access, level the field, and shatter age-old hierarchies. Now, Generative AI has knocked on the doors—not with a whisper, but with a roar—demanding attention and igniting widespread speculation. This time, the stakes are unmistakably gendered.
For generations, the tech world has been framed as a man’s domain—a narrative reflected not just in perception, but in participation. The underrepresentation of women in tech continues to underscore the imbalance, adding statistical weight to this longstanding divide.
There is a growing chorus asking a question we cannot afford to shrug under the carpet: Will AI tear down the ceilings that have long pushed women to the fringes of tech, or will it merely give those walls a sleeker, shinier finish?

The great equalizer or a familiar divide?

On paper, the data narrates an optimistic story. According to BCG and Nasscom’s 2024 report titled “GenAI: The Diversity Game Changer We Can’t Ignore”, a striking 65% of both men and women believe GenAI could be a powerful force for inclusion in the technology sector. Adoption levels in India are equally promising: 80% of women and 76% of men working in tech report active use of GenAI tools
And yet, under the veil of these numbers peeks an uncomfortable truth: The deeper you go, the more the cracks appear. Senior Indian women trail their male counterparts in GenAI adoption by 9 percentage points, even as global trends show senior women leading men by 12 points in uptake. At first glance, it appears that women are catching up. But is that the full picture, or just a well-lit corner of a much darker room?

A new bias in the making

Even as women embark on tech-related roles in huge numbers- comprising 36% of India’s 5 million IT workforce- they remain primarily underrepresented in leadership roles- holding only 4–8% of executive roles, compared to 14% globally. The GenAI revolution threatens to replicate this imbalance unless immediate interventions are made.
Despite strong ambitions—42% of women rate their career goals as “very high,” surpassing men at 35%—women still find themselves hitting the same invisible barriers. Are they lacking effort? The reports scream an emphatic no. It suggests that 95% of junior women and 100% of senior women are willing to go the extra mile in GenAI-related roles.
So what’s holding them back?
The answers are stark: Limited access to tools, lack of mentorship, inadequate knowledge, fear of failure, and a deeply ingrained fear of being judged. In senior roles especially, only 35% of women feel truly prepared to work with GenAI tools, even though 90% see them as pivotal to future success.

GenAI jobs: Where women disappear

The drop-off gives an even more alarming viewpoint when examining the specific GenAI roles. For example, men dominate the position of Head or Director of Machine Learning (79%) and AI Researcher (46%), leaving women significantly behind in key leadership posts. While women hold 43% of junior tech jobs, their representation in GenAI at the same level is only 33%, signaling an exclusion from the cutting-edge frontier of their own field.
This is not just a pipeline problem. It’s a failure of ecosystems that have yet to create inclusive career pathways, tailored upskilling, and environments where women feel trusted and supported.
This is not just a pipeline ordeal. It is a failure of ecosystems that have yet to create inclusive career pathways, customised upskilling, and environments where women feel secured, supported, and trusted.

Diversity is not charity—it’s strategy

Diversity is not for embellishment of rulebooks. There’s a reason companies with diverse leadership tend to perform better. The report brings forth that diverse teams enjoy 19 percentage points higher innovation revenue and 9 points higher EBIT margins as compared to less diverse peers.
In AI development, where bias is real and a dangerous threat, diverse teams are not just important- they are essential.

The blueprint for real change

We cannot stop at the diagnosis of the problem; we need action. If GenAI is to become a tool of equity rather than exclusion, here’s what needs to happen now according to the report:

  • Redesign leadership teams working on GenAI to include diverse, ethical perspectives.
  • Define clear career pathways in GenAI—only 67% of women see these as visible today.
  • Support flexible work models, especially for senior women who juggle multiple roles.
  • Ramp up mentorship—only 35% of non-tech women currently receive it.
  • Mandate ethical AI training early in the career cycle to build confidence and accountability.

Organizations that embed these changes won’t just advance women—they’ll future-proof their technology against bias, inefficiency, and ethical blind spots.

Breaking the gates or repainting them?

The promise of GenAI is real. But promises falter, as history suggests. If left unchecked, GenAI could become just another polished surface reflecting the same systemic exclusions that have always moulded technology. But if harnessed with intention, it could be the most powerful equaliser we have ever built.
The kingpin of the future is not just intelligent machines- it is about inclusive minds behind them. The gates won’t fall on their own. We must choose to break them.





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