England to Ban Schools from Teaching Under-18s Gender Identity

England plans to prohibit teaching gender identity in schools and implement stricter guidelines for sex education, according to new government proposals set to be published.

The move follows a recent review advising caution on hormone treatments for young people with gender identity issues and the closure of the country’s first gender identity development service for children.

Under the new guidance, children up to 18 years old will not be taught about gender identity. The “contested theory of gender identity” will not be included in the curriculum at any age, stated the Department for Education.

“At secondary school (11-18 years) pupils will learn about legally ‘protected’ characteristics, such as sexual orientation and gender reassignment but the updated guidance is clear that schools should not teach about the concept of gender identity,” BBC reported.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasised the importance of protecting children from “disturbing content” and ensuring parents’ trust in the education system.

“Parents rightly trust that when they send their children to school, they are kept safe and will not be exposed to disturbing content that is inappropriate for their age,” he said.

The proposals also include banning sex education for children under nine and restricting topics related to online risks and harmful content. The guidance will address the dangers of online content, including suicide prevention, highlighted by cases like the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who was negatively affected by online content.

Education unions and experts have expressed concerns about the restrictions. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), warned that limiting discussions could lead children to seek unreliable information elsewhere. Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, stressed the importance of allowing discussions on gender identity without teachers feeling restricted.

The government is also making it easier for parents to access teaching materials and see what their children are learning. The new guidelines will undergo a nine-week consultation before becoming statutory.

Since 2020, sex education has been compulsory in secondary schools, and relationship education has been required in primary schools. However, gender identity has become a contentious issue in the ongoing “culture wars” between social conservatives and liberal opponents.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan noted that the guidance was a response to teachers’ requests for clarity on age-appropriate sex education. Some parents and organisations, such as the Sex Education Forum, fear that restricting certain topics might push children towards seeking information from potentially harmful online sources. The draft guidance, once finalised, will be mandatory for schools to follow.

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