Minister Haughey launches Goundbreaking Guidance for School Principals on Sexual Orientation Issues  

Minister for Lifelong Learning, Seán Haughey TD,  in the Clock Tower  Conference Centre  in  the  Department of Education  and Science , Dublin launched  groundbreaking new guidance on sexual orientation for second level schools.

Launching the Resource Minister Haughey said 'I am delighted to launch this important resource which represents the culmination of a lot of hard work by all concerned and has had the committed involvement of all the education partners. It will be of very significant practical assistance to Principals and Schools Leaders”.

The Guidance for second-level School Principals produced by the Department and GLEN (Gay and Lesbian Equality Network) is the first comprehensive guidance for schools on sexual orientation issues that has the backing of all the education partners. It supports schools in tackling homophobic bullying and in providing a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay and bisexual students. It is intended to be used by School Principals to implement measures such as creating opportunities to have positive visibility of LGB students and developing zero-tolerance policies on homophobic bullying in their Schools.

Sandra Gowran, Director of Education Policy at GLEN said “this guide is a major step forward for schools. It will benefit all second level school goers, especially those who may be lesbian, gay or bisexual, by creating environments in schools that are more accepting of difference and diversity.”

“Our schools have always played an important role in transmitting our values as a society to all students. These values include respect for diversity and acceptance and celebration of difference”, said Minister Haughey. The 21st century school is one that is safe and supportive of all students, including lesbian gay and bisexual students. As with all bullying in schools, homophobic bullying is unacceptable and a whole-school approach is required to ensure that lesbian, gay and bisexual students are safe and supported and achieve their full educational and personal potential.

Recognising the breakthrough importance of the engagement of all Education Partners on this issue for the first time, Sandra Gowran commented “All the Education Partners (Management Bodies, Teachers Unions, Principals Bodies and Teachers Unions) are aware of the prevalence of homophobic bullying and its impact on LGB students. Recognising the seriousness of the issue, the Partners are supporting the development and implementation of the Guidance. This is a most welcome and progressive development.”

Clive Byrne, Director of the Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), speaking in advance of the launch said “This is a very important and valuable resource which will be welcomed wholeheartedly by Principals and Deputy Principals up and down the country. The NAPD is committed to supporting our members in addressing the serious issue of homophobic bullying and in providing safe and supportive schools for all students”

Minister Haughey concluded “A partnership approach is vital to the achievement of a successful outcome to this project and I would like to confirm the continuing support of my Department to this important agenda. I look forward to continued collaboration with GLEN and the education partners in the future”.

1. Guidance Resource Details

The Resource ‘Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Students in Post-Primary Schools: Guidance for Principals and School Leaders’  being launched by Minister Sean Haughey at 12 noon on Monday 12th October in the Clock Tower of the Department of Education in Marlborough St, Dublin 1

The Guidance has been produced by the Department of Education and GLEN with the support of all the Education Partners –

Managerial Bodies:         Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS); Joint Managerial body for Secondary Schools (JMB); Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA);

Principals Bodies:          National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD);

Parents Bodies:             National Parents Council – Post Primary (NPCpp);

Teachers Unions:           Association of Secondary Teachers (ASTI); Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI).

2. Background Research on School Experiences of LGB people

Recent research funded by the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), explored the lives of over 1,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Ireland. In the context of Education, it found that:

Safety:

·         58% reported the existence of homophobic bullying in their schools

·         More than 50% had been called abusive names by fellow students

·         25% had been physically threatened by peers

·         40% had been verbally threatened by their fellow students because they were or were thought to be LGBT

Participation

·         72% felt they couldn’t be themselves at school

·         20% missed school because they were threatened or were afraid of getting hurt at school

·         5% left early because of how they were treated as a consequence of their LGBT identity

Support

·         60% said that there wasn’t a teacher or other adult in school they could talk to

·         4% said there was a written policy to protect LGBT students form homophobic bullying and 4% said there was open discussion of LGBT issues in anti-bullying seminars.

Findings taken from Supporting LGBT Lives: The Mental Health and Well Being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People; GLEN & BeLonG To, 2009; Authors: Paula Mayock, Audrey Bryan; Nicola Carr and Karl Kitching