Gender identity, “a contested theory”, must not be taught in English schools, the British conservative government said on Thursday, which also wants to ban sex education for students under the age of 9.
These government proposals, announced a few months before the general elections, represent the first major review in five years on sex education in schools, a subject which regularly causes controversy in the United Kingdom. They must be subject to consultation before coming into force.
“Schools must not teach the concept of gender identity,” the government wrote in a press release, speaking of a “contested theory”.
“There are a lot of contested views in this area […] gender identity, gender ideology,” Education Minister Gillian Keegan told Sky News television.
From middle school onwards, however, there will be courses on sexual orientation, during which gender change can be discussed.
But “it is important that schools take a careful approach to teaching this sensitive subject and do not use material presenting contested opinions as fact,” insists the government.
Furthermore, sex education “will not be taught” before the age of 9, and then, it will be “from a purely scientific point of view”, indicates the government.
The government wants to “ensure that children do not learn things that are too complex or too sensitive to be understood in primary school,” explained the Minister of Education.
With the new guidelines, “children will be protected from inappropriate teaching on sensitive subjects,” the government said. Parents will be able to have access to the materials studied in class, with the aim of “transparency”.
“Parents are confident that when they send their children to school, they are safe and are not exposed to disturbing content that is not age-appropriate,” says Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, quoted in the press release. He says he was “horrified” by certain documents that may have been shown to children.
Education professionals shared their concerns after these announcements.
“We have not seen clear evidence showing that schools are currently exposing students to inappropriate content,” responded Elizabeth West, executive director of a group of 17 schools.
“These rigid limits” on sex education could lead children “to seek information from less reliable sources,” worried Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the headteachers’ union National Association of Head Teachers.