The Safe Schools Program

I write this post in a context of Australians just having voted in favour of same sex marriage.  The LGBTI community is overjoyed and so am I, a heterosexual male married to a woman.  We voted 'Yes' for same sex marriage to be legal.

In Australian schools over the last year or so the Safe Schools Program has been designed and implemented to assist the LGBTI students as they process through school.  It is a program for all students to experience.  It has caused a hue and cry amongst lobby groups and politicians such that it was banned in primary (elementary) schools.  It is said to allow students to face the realities of LGBTI persons and their rights not to be discriminated against.  During the lead up to the postal vote about same sex marriage the Safe Schools Program was often cited as a concern by the advocates of a 'no' vote.  They felt that if the vote was 'yes' it would be open go in the schools for the Safe Schools Program.

As a school Principal I am sure you would be pulling out all stops to ensure that LGBTI students do not suffer bullying or discrimination in your school community.  You might however be under subtle pressure from some parents who might baulk at their children being open to discussions about sexuality.

In the past in Western Australian government schools when sex education was on offer, parents had the right to know and refuse to have the school carry out this aspect of education for their children.  In the contemporary scene of this controversial Safe Schools Program parents should be informed of the details of the program and have the right to exclude their children.  However if the State Governments, which are responsible for government schools in all Australian states, legislate that the Safe Schools Program be taught Principals are obliged to do so.  I just hope that each Principal in consultation with their School Board has the freedom to allow parents to exclude their children if they deem this appropriate.

Having said this, Principals will have to be careful to operate within the legislation as not to do so could see them accused of discrimination against LGBTI children.

In some religious-based non-government schools the Safe Schools Program may not be taught on the grounds that the religious beliefs prohibit this.  I watch with interest as the Federal Australian Government now works to put into legislation protections to ensure that such schools will not be seen as discriminating against the LGBTI community.

Very tricky stuff.

May the Force be with you!


GD