Schools already starting gender-neutral transition
The switch to gender-neutral uniforms and toilets will take time, Manawatu schools say, but they’ve begun the transition.
‘‘It’s common sense. You’d have to have been hiding under a rock to not be aware,’’ Central District Secondary Principals’ Association chairman Peter Brooks said.
‘‘The issue for everyone is how you’re going to pay for it. How do you decide if you’re going to stop your roof leaking or put genderneutral loos in?
‘‘I think schools are doing what they can.’’
Brooks, also Freyberg High School principal, in Palmerston North, said the issue was on the radar of all schools.
Freyberg has three genderneutral toilets. Boys are allowed to wear a complete set of girl’s uniform and girls to wear a complete set of boy’s uniform, but they can’t mix and match.
However, changing all toilets or introducing a purely unisex uniform would take time, he said. Uniform changes require consultation with parents, and funding for building changes was hard to get.
The Post Primary Teachers’ Association has issued guidelines for schools to create a safe learning environment for pupils of all gender identities and sexualities.
This means schools should avoid reinforcing ‘‘gender stereotypes’’.
Manawatu College principal Bruce Mcintyre said the school had several gender-neutral toilets, and much of the uniform was gender-neutral.
Staff are trained about gender diversity by Family Planning.
‘‘It’s not new. There’s been a whole heap of different gender identities in my time here, and people accept.’’
Manawatu Principals’ Association president Wayne Jenkins said gender diversity was now being considered in planning at primary schools.
Most of the uniform is unisex at Ross Intermediate, where he is principal, though some girls choose to wear skirts rather than shorts. Gender-neutral loos were in place, but single-sex toilets would remain for cultural reasons, he said.
‘‘There is a lot more awareness around sexuality education and for schools to embrace the diverse nature of society and students. It’s certainly becoming more talked about and there’s a lot of good courses in place to start that decision-making.’’