Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 29/01/2016. Tags: Education And Poltics Teachers Parenting
Schools are set to receive practical guidelines on how to support students who identify as being transgender.
The pack, named "Being LGBT in School", has been developed from LGBT support resources supplied by Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN), the Transgender Equality Network (TENI), school management bodies, teacher unions and Tusla.
The guidelines, which were launched by Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan, address issues which may arise with students transitioning gender, such as providing gender-neutral toilets and changing rooms, PE and sport.
Where schools who have a uniform or PE policy, students may choose to wear the clothing of their chosen gender.
For example, a trouser option may be introduced to uniforms in all-girl's-schools while all-boy's schools may need to consider "a variation in unifrom options."
For PE activities like swimming where the clothing may be revealing in nature, students undergoing gender transitioning have the choice to wear skirted swimsuits, baggy shorts or short wetsuits.
Sandra Irwan-Gowran, director of education for GLEN said:
"Every classroom in every school has young people who are LGBT. School life for many of these young people is still very difficult, often with serious consequences for the self-esteem and mental health."
The guidelines also state that schools are to address transgender students by their preferred name and pronoun.
Read 'Being LGBT in School' pack here.
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