Call to review transgender guide after elections

A former chief minister wants to put off possible changes to the way children are taught about sexual identity in school.

Deputy Ian Gorst lodged an amendment asking politicians to review the policy after the next election in June, instead of debating it on Tuesday 24 March.

The States are to decide whether to change education's policy on teaching about trans rights and other issues.

Gorst said the issue "has been extremely divisive" in other places and people on both sides of the arguments "have become entrenched and have stopped listening to alternative voices".

He said a review could help States Members find common ground for a possible revision of the policy and said "in a small community, often sitting together and solving problems is the best and only way to reach agreement".

Gorst said it could give interested parties the chance to "deliver guidance that all can support, and where children's wellbeing is at its heart".

He said completing the review by December 2026 would "simply bring forward" the Children, Young People, Education and Skills department's plan to review its current guidance in May 2027.

In January the education minister Rob Ward said current guidance gives "clear standards on behaviour, bullying prevention and collaborative decision‑making with families and professionals".

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