Kids face ‘non-gender’ sport under Northern Territory education department plans

NT teachers would be encouraged to organise ‘non-gendered’ sports teams and physical activities under plans being developed by the Education Department.

Northern Territory Education Minister Lauren Moss denied the words ‘boy” and ‘girl’ would be banned. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Northern Territory teachers would be encouraged to organise “non-gendered” sports teams, physical education activities and sports days, under plans being ­developed by the Education ­Department.

An early draft of the guidelines even suggested teachers be banned from calling students “boys and girls” to avoid offending children who might be questioning their gender.

And children attending school camps would be able to use the ­toilets, showers and sleeping quarters of their “affirmed gender”.

The directions are included in draft guidelines on diverse sex, sexuality and gender identity in schools that have been sent out for consultation.

“Using gendered language such as ‘girls and boys’ or ‘ladies and gentlemen’ confirms gender stereotyping and roles and can be alienating for gender-questioning and gender-diverse children,” the early draft document says.

“Avoid this by using vocabulary such as ‘students’, ‘class’, ‘crew’, ‘everyone’, ‘people’ or ‘year X’ that are more inclusive.”

Schools would be discouraged from separating boys and girls on sport days. “Where possible, schools should organise non-­gendered teams, physical education activities and sports days,” the guidelines say.

Labor NT Education Minister Lauren Moss denied the words “boy” and “girl” would be banned, saying the document being circulated was an outdated version.

“This consultation paper referred to this morning was NOT in its final format. There will be no ban on the words ‘girl’ and ‘boy’ in schools,” Ms Moss told Sky News.

However, the minister’s office did not provide a copy of the current document for discussion.

The early draft guidelines suggest schools need to be flexible ­regarding participation in some sports activities. “Many transgender and ­gender-diverse children often withdraw from taking part in sport and physical activities because they feel highly uncomfortable or are forced into teams that do not match their gender identity,” they say.

“Swimming and aquatic ­activities or any other sport where tight-fitting clothing is worn can be unsettling for children who identify as a gender different from their physical attributes. Schools should be flexible with regard to clothing type and participation.”

Guidelines are also offered for school outings and camps.

“When considering school excursions including overnight stays, the teacher in charge of the excursion should consult with LGBTQI students, parents and support teams to confirm preferences,” the document says.

“Children should be able to ­access personal facilities such as toilets and showers and sleep in the same sleeping quarters as other children of their affirmed gender. However, any child who is LGBTQI and who has a need or desire for increased privacy, regardless of the underlying reason, should be provided with reasonable personal facilities and accommodation options, which may include a private room.”

Teachers are told consideration must be given to the safety of other students, but children are warned raising such concerns could be considered bullying.

“If a child, or their peers, do not agree that they would feel safe and comfortable sharing, seek alternative solutions and acknowledge that this is an indication of possible exclusionary behaviour and potential bullying towards the LGBTQI child,” the guidelines say.

“Have a process in place, such as monitoring interactions or swapping out children who feel uncomfortable, to reduce the likelihood of ongoing bullying.

“Educating children and parents about human rights and discrimination is a good first step to avoiding concerns. Also, emphasise that the safety and wellbeing of … every child takes priority.”

Ms Moss would not comment on the specifics of the guidelines as this was a draft document subject to consultation.

The early draft of the guidelines suggest teachers be banned from calling students ‘boys and girls’ to avoid offending children who might be questioning their gender. Picture: Floss Adams

“It’s really important we are creating welcoming and inclusive environments for all students, and that includes our students who are LGBTQI,” the minister said. “We know that often these students are young people and children who experience greater levels of harm or greater levels of isolation or greater levels of bullying and we need to make sure that we are working together as a school community to support all of our students and make sure that they all feel welcome.”

Asked if the guidelines meant that, for example, a year 5 running race would have to include boys and girls, Ms Moss said: “So what it means is that schools are being encouraged again to create all-inclusive events where they can.”

Country Liberal Party Senate candidate Jacinta Price said the guidelines were political correctness gone mad. “I’m stunned the Gunner government would even consider attempting to apply any Marxist ideology into our schooling system,” she said.

Ms Price said it was absurd the NT government was spending so much time and energy pursuing the guidelines, given the appalling rates of school attendance in remote communities.

Ms Price later told Sky News it was ridiculous to suggest terms such as girl and boy could be offensive. “It infuriates me. This government think that they can go ahead and make these decisions on behalf of teachers, on behalf of the Indigenous community. To suggest that terms like girl and boy are gender stereotypes and can be offensive is utterly ridiculous,” she said. “Is she suggesting that the word ‘karnta’ for women in Warlpiri is offensive or a gender stereotype, and ‘wirriya’ for boys?”

Ms Moss said consultation was under way with students, school bodies and stakeholders.

Matt Cunningham is the Northern Australia Correspondent for Sky News.