Public school’s gender lessons labelled ‘not appropriate’

A lesson in gender theory for 7-year-old children at a NSW public school has sparked a backlash from education experts who say it is inappropriate.

A Central Coast public school gave children as young as seven a lesson telling them gender is “the way you feel on the inside”, sparking a backlash from some experts who say teachers must not peddle their views on gender theory in the classroom.

Umina Beach Public School deputy principal Melissa ­Harrison wrote to parents last month declaring gender lessons were needed because of “child protection” and ­were supported by the Anti-Discrimination Act.

“As part of our child protection unit Year 2 classes will participate in a lesson about gender diversity,” the message read. “Gender refers to the way that you feel on the inside. It might be expressed by how you dress or how you behave and for some people these things may change over time.

“The lesson is supported by the Anti-Discrimination Act to ensure that school is an inclusive place for all students.”

Upper House MP Mark Latham criticised the school for using child protection as a justification to give children a lesson in gender theory.

“These are seven-year-old children, child protection is about telling them about stranger danger … the lesson is not supported by the Anti-Discrimination Act, that is nonsense,” he said.

Mr Latham also criticised the school for making the lesson opt-out rather than opt-in.

“For a lot of parents, they would think this has nothing to do with Year 2 education, this is a political push by certain kinds of teachers who want to shove this upon kids,” he said.

A NSW Education spokesman said the lesson was held outside of regular classes.

Hon Mark Latham said it was not appropriate.Picture: Richard Dobson

“Parents were informed of the proposed lesson content and provided with the opportunity to withdraw their child,” he said. “Gender fluidity is not, and has never been, part of the NSW curriculum.”

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell declined to comment.

Australian Catholic University Professor Kevin Donnelly said while gender fluidity may not be written into the curriculum, it was almost impossible to stop teachers introducing lessons into the classroom.

“Cultural left ideology and gender ideology has become more pervasive – you need a strong (education) minister to actually stop it,” he said.

Dr Bella d’Abrera from the Institute of Public Affairs called on teachers to just let kids be kids. “It is absolutely wrong that seven-year-olds should be indoctrinated with radical gender ideology masquerading as education,” she said.

Originally published as Public school’s gender lessons labelled ‘not appropriate’