Read the following statements and choose the correct option :
Assertion (A) : Teachers should work hard to break down students’ stereotypes of particular ethnic groups.
Reason (R) : A key educational objective is to enable students to engage in critical self-reflection.

The correct option is Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Assertion (A): Teachers should work hard to break down students' stereotypes of particular ethnic groups.
This statement is true. Stereotypes lead to prejudice, discrimination, and bias in educational environments and broader society. An effective educator active in promoting an inclusive classroom environment actively works to challenge and dismantle these pre-existing stereotypes.

Reason (R): A key educational objective is to enable students to engage in critical self-reflection.
This statement is also true. Education aims not just to impart facts, but to foster critical thinking and self-awareness. Critical self-reflection allows students to analyze their own beliefs, assumptions, and biases.

Connection between Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
When students engage in critical self-reflection, they evaluate their own assumptions and recognize how stereotypes are formed and sustained. Therefore, encouraging critical self-reflection (R) directly enables students to dismantle ethnic stereotypes (A). Thus, (R) provides the underlying pedagogical rationale and explanation for (A).