Toowoomba residents against banning phrase ‘boys and girls’ in schools

Academics have come out with new education policies, wanting to ban the phrase “boys and girls” in classrooms, and thousands of Toowoomba residents were quick to share their thoughts on the possible change.

Toowoomba residents were quick to share their thoughts on a suite of new education policies which include banning teachers from using the phrase “boys and girls” in classrooms.

A new guidebook called Building Better Schools with Evidence Based Policy, edited by Mon­ash University staff, was ­released in April.

It contains a series of pro-forma policies for schools to implement across a range of educational issues from learning to read to alcohol abuse.

According to the book, teachers are being told not to use phrases like “girls and boys”, “normal’’ and “other’’ in class. But they should make students aware of “superdiversity’’ and “declare a climate change emergency’’ as a way of “telling the truth’’ about our “climate breakdown’’.

The Chronicle asked its Facebook followers what they thought of proposed changes, and of the 2300 who voted in our poll, more than 1800 people said they were opposed to banning the phrase “boys and girls.”

More than 3000 people also shared their thoughts in the way of comments with a vast majority blasting the book, similar to the book’s critics.

Deborah Stephens said: “No no no. What is wrong with people? They aren’t offensive words. For God’s sake. Some sanity please.”

Lyn Forman said: “No. I hate all of this rubbish. They should just be focusing on the teaching. And let kids be kids.”

Liz Mackie said: “I don’t understand why this is an issue. Gender is a biological fact, and not trying to discriminate against anyone.”

Brandon Newitt offered some advice as to what schools could do as opposed to banning the words altogether.

“If a kid doesn’t want to be referred to as a boy or a girl, then they can discuss this with the school or classroom teacher, and then special circumstances can be made for that individual student, rather than banning the use of boy or girl for everybody,” he said.

Some people believed it would cause more equality, so it actually wasn’t a bad decision.

Rachel Lawson said: “Maybe differentiating between male and female for centuries has caused huge inequality between genders. Maybe if we are just people there is a better chance of equality and the way we treat each other.”

Danni Forrest said: “It’s actually really good to just have a neutral term to address the children with. It also helps break the cycle of pushing girls towards ‘girls subjects’ and boys towards ‘boys subjects’. It’s the first step towards equality and building a world where your children really will have the freedom to become anything they want.”