Just a couple of quick bits on education for now, Terven.
This first one is almost unbelievable - social contagion gone mad! Of course the school should not have capitulated to the demands of the pupils. Talk about the tail wagging the dog!
Laura Sharman in The Telegraph (Teacher who said 'good afternoon, girls' forced to apologise in gender clash with pupils 17 April) reports:
A teacher claims she was left humiliated after being made to apologise to pupils at a private girls' school for calling them girls.
Pupils at the £20,000-a-year school complained and said not everyone in the class identified as female, with one pupil challenging the woman to acknowledge their pronouns.
The philosophy and religious education teacher was forced to say sorry after saying "good afternoon, girls" at the start of the lesson.
Students wrote all their names and pronouns on the board the following day, with one of the children using the pronouns they/them.
They also held a lunchtime protest after she refused to acknowledge their request on usage and said she would need to involve parents if a pupil's preferred pronouns differed from their biological sex, The Mail on Sunday reported.
In an ongoing review into child and adolescent gender dysphoria care last week, the teacher said the problems began in May 2021 after some Year 7 students complained.
The poor teacher!
Some better news on the school front.
Daniel Martin in The Telegraph( Schools will be forced to tell parents if pupils change gender identity 16 April) reports:
Schools will be told to inform parents if pupils questioning their gender start using a new name or wearing a different uniform under new Government guidance.
The document, which has not yet been finalised, will also make clear that children who change their gender identity will not be able to share changing or shower facilities with the opposite sex.
And a biological male who has socially transitioned would not be able to join girls’ teams for certain contact and competitive school sports. But the rules around non-contact sports are set to be more relaxed.
The guidance on transgender pupils is being drawn up by Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, and Kemi Badenoch, the equalities minister.
Expected to be published in May, it will apply to all state and independent schools in England and is intended to provide clarity on how schools should approach safeguarding children with gender dysphoria.
I hope that consultation is taking place with some of the women’s and gender critical groups.
Must dash, Terven! This isn’t over yet! Please subscribe for free, like and comment.