SA Government to fund revamped Safe Schools program to tackle bullying among LGBTI students.
THE contentious Safe Schools program will continue in South Australia, albeit in a “revised” form funded by the State Government, The Advertiser can confirm.
THE Safe Schools program will continue in South Australia, but in a “revised” form funded by the State Government that focuses on teacher training, rather than controversial lesson plans for students.
The federally funded Safe Schools program was designed as an anti-bullying initiative but became politically divisive as details of the curriculum, which teaches students that gender and sexuality are fluid concepts, emerged.
The Advertiser can reveal that the program’s name could change in SA and it will shift focus to training teachers to better handle issues faced by same-sex attracted or transgender students, rather than putting students through specific lesson plans.
Schools will be able to opt in to the new program and principals must seek the approval of parents.
Christian lobby group Family Voice Australia described the curriculum as “utterly inappropriate”.
Following a public backlash, federal funding for the program will cease from the end of next month.
State Education and Child Development Minister Susan Close said the central message of the program was important and the new version would help to tackle bullying and self-harm among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex students.
It will be run by sexual health organisation SHine SA.
Lesson plans used in the Federal Government program will not be kept for the revised version.
Instead, teachers and principals at schools which choose to take part will be trained to respond to issues faced by LGBTI students and create safe environments at their schools.
Parental consent will be needed for individual students to participate in presentations or activities.
Dr Close said LGBTI students “suffer an unacceptably high rate of bullying and suicide and it is important that we have a dedicated program in place to ensure these young people are supported”.
“Research shows that 80 per cent of the transphobic and homophobic verbal and physical abuse that these young people suffer occurs at school.
“The Safe Schools anti bullying initiative allows schools to seek out training for teachers and
principals to help them respond to specific issues and provides guidance on how to create safe and supportive environments.”
Dr Close insisted that parental consent was “at the heart of the initiative” and principals would consult with their school community and seek governing council endorsement before applying to take part.
The Federal Government had allocated $8 million to its program.
The funding agreement between the State Government and SHine SA is still being finalised.
Dr Close said that agreement “may also involve a name change” for the program.