Schools ‘clamouring’ for transgender guidance
The Education Authority say the new guidelines for schools in Northern Ireland represents “emerging good practice” and “should be considered carefully”.
The guidelines are non-statutory and schools can choose whether or not they wish to adopt a different policy from that set out by the Education Authority.
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Hide AdThe document is around 60 pages long and is mostly aimed at post-primary schools.
It recommends schools grant access to “toilets which match their gender identity, unless there is a good reason not to do so”.
The Commissioner for Children and Young People, Koulla Yiasouma, said the advice would be welcomed by schools.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster, she said: “I don’t think it is controversial that the education authority is offering guidance to schools because schools in Northern Ireland have been clamouring and asking for guidance.
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Hide Ad“They’ve had to, on their own or in a cluster, come up with how they should respond to children and young people who come and say ‘I’m not comfortable in the gender I was born and I’m looking to transition’.
“The way the EA has done it has been incredibly helpful.”
The children’s commissioner added: “The guidance is also very clear. If they can accommodate the child’s preferences they should.”