Northern Ireland transgender education row: ​Department of Education, Sinn Fein, Alliance, NIHRC, NSPCC and UTU silent on revelations from TUV leader Jim Allister and BBC Stephen Nolan Show

​A wide range of stakeholders have offered no comment on revelations that Northern Ireland schools may facilitate children's transgender identities without parental knowledge.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 28th Sep 2023, 16:54 BST
Updated 28th Sep 2023, 18:49 BST
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The information about the IT system used in NI schools was brought to light by TUV leader Jim Allister via the BBC Stephen Nolan Show.

The Education Authority (EA) did not challenge the claims but says changes to the IT system were UK-wide and that keeping information from parents is permissible, if the child wishes, based on English legal precedents.

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The EA says it developed guidance on supporting transgender young people after consulting with schools, young people, parents and faith-based organisations.

The Education Authority has confirmed that an IT system used by schools across Northern Ireland allows teachers to record the transgender identities and preferred pronouns of children without parental knowledge. The information has been brought into the public domain by TUV leader Jim Allister via the BBC Stephen Nolan Show. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.The Education Authority has confirmed that an IT system used by schools across Northern Ireland allows teachers to record the transgender identities and preferred pronouns of children without parental knowledge. The information has been brought into the public domain by TUV leader Jim Allister via the BBC Stephen Nolan Show. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.
The Education Authority has confirmed that an IT system used by schools across Northern Ireland allows teachers to record the transgender identities and preferred pronouns of children without parental knowledge. The information has been brought into the public domain by TUV leader Jim Allister via the BBC Stephen Nolan Show. Photo by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye.

The News Letter asked the Department of Education for comment on the news. However it declined to offer any response and instead directed the News Letter to the Education Authority statement.

The News Letter also asked for reaction from the Alliance Party and Sinn Fein, which held the Chair and Deputy Chair positions on the last Stormont Education Committee. Both parties declined to comment.

When asked, an NSPCC spokeswoman responded: "The Department of Education are the appropriate body to comment on this matter."

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A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission responded: "This is a complex issue which engages a number of human rights protections, it is not possible to provide specific advice or comment without a full examination of individual cases and the related law".

The Ulster Teachers Union did not respond to several requests for reaction.

Related topics:Jim AllisterDepartment of EducationNorthern IrelandEducation AuthorityBBC