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Download AudioThe Government has made available a range of new resources to help schools teach about sex and relationships – including issues like consent, gender diversity and rainbow inclusion.
Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti says she wants schools in Aotearoa to be safe spaces for all students, regardless of their gender, race, nationality, beliefs, or sexual orientation.
Tabby Besley from rainbow charity InsideOUT, which developed some of the resources, says more young people are coming out in the school environment and need support.
Schools are looking for not just lessons on gender diversity and rainbow issues but help creating policies and support groups.
“We hope schools will pick up those resources, particularly the one around policies and supporting our trans young people, because those are where we get the most requests from schools. A lot of the time they ask if we have policies about how to do that rainbow inclusion or when a trans student comes out in the school, what they should be doing to support them. Often the parents and the students are getting in touch because the school isn’t doing it,” Besley says.
She says the resources are only guidelines, and schools need to consult with their communities when they bring in new policies.
By Peter Verschaffelt
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