Malta Launches New Trans Child Policy In Light Of ‘Growing Number’ Of Gender-Transitioning Students
Malta has launched a new policy document aimed at making schools more inclusive to trans, gender variant and intersex children, with the Education Ministry noting a rise in the number of transitioning students.
“There are a growing number of students who are choosing to transition (or affirm their gender) while in school,” the policy reads. “This may mean that they will be adopting names, pronouns, clothing, hairstyles and mannerisms that match their identity. Some may even be undergoing hormone therapies or puberty blockers.”
“One of the advantages of a co-ed school is the possibility for students to undergo transition in the same school. The transition process may take a few months or several years and requires support at every stage.”
“Educators, family, friends and schoolmates also go through the transitioning process as they learn to relate to the individual in their affirmed gender.”
The policy was launched by Education Minister Clifton Grima as part of a wider policy document on inclusive education in schools, with targets for 2030.
Policy targets are quite generic, giving schools a degree of leeway in deciding how to implement them, but the document does give them a sense of direction.
Schools have been told to evaluate all their “gender-based” facilities, activities, rules, policies and practices – such as classroom activities, ceremonies, photos, extracurricular activities and breakfast clubs – and scrap them unless they have a “clear and sound pedagogical purpose”.
Students shall be allowed to participate in any activities or conform to any rule, policy or practice consistent with their gender identity.
Schools must also introduce anti-bullying measures, launch anti-transphobia campaigns, provide teachers with training about gender variance, and promote trans-inclusive diversity teaching.
School libraries will also have to be updated to ensure they are inclusive of “diversity-rich situations to expose learners to concepts of social inclusion”.
Grima said that the inclusion policy is ultimately intended to foster scholastic environments that celebrate and promote the individuality of students.
“We must continue convincing educators and students’ families that every children is capable of learning and progressing through adequate educational strategies,” he said.
What do you make of this new policy?
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