THE Education Minister has called for an end to what he described as a “culture war” narrative surrounding transgender issues in Jersey schools.
Deputy Rob Ward made the comments during question time in the States yesterday after being asked why a planned presentation by Stephanie Davies-Arai, founder of UK organisation Transgender Trend, did not go ahead at Highlands College earlier this month.
The Reform Jersey member explained that Highlands College and other schools manage their own bookings, and staff had been informed that the event was not part of official government training and was therefore not mandatory.
What I don’t want is young people to be unwilling conscripts or foot soldiers in a wider culture war that’s going on in the UK and across the world but is not happening in Jersey and our schools.”
Education Minister Rob Ward
When pressed on whether the college was restricting freedom of speech, the Education Minister confirmed that the event had gone ahead at St Brelade’s Parish Hall instead.
“There was no stopping this event from happening. It just happened at a different venue,” he said.
Deputy Ward emphasised that transgender issues in schools required sensitivity and said he understood why institutions might “err on the side of caution” if they were unsure about content that could be upsetting for students.
He stressed: “What I don’t want is young people to be unwilling conscripts or foot soldiers in a wider culture war that’s going on in the UK and across the world but is not happening in Jersey and our schools.
“I really would ask people to think very carefully about what they’re saying about our schools at this time.
“And I would make a plea that we please stop this narrative.”
